Appointment of a KTP Associate
Introduction The Government's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a long established and successful grant supported scheme which is targeted at early career graduates and which facilitates partnerships between businesses and universities. KTP helps companies draw on knowledge-based expertise at the University of Brighton by supporting key projects whilst developing able graduates into future business leaders. It offers all partners a realistic way to contribute to the nation’s wealth, while complementing both research and teaching.
As a KTP Associate, you will be employed by the University of Brighton; work predominantly at the company premises and be supervised by both a company staff member and an academic at the University.
You will lead and deliver the KTP project, the details of which are outlined below. You will also have access to an excellent range of training opportunities (including the option of registering part-time for a higher degree) and to support this you will have a ring-fenced training budget of £4,000.
For full information about the scheme please see: http://ktp.innovateuk.org/
The Job Software Designer/Programmer (KTP Associate) (Ref: EG4029)
The Company Creative Technologies Limited develops robust and scalable compliance and practice management technology to enable financial services companies to run professionally and efficiently. Creative Technologies and its sister companies serve the top 10% of the UK Intermediary (IFA) market and are recognised as market leaders in software to support and regulate the advisory market.
Please note that the role is based in Horsham with regular travel to the University of Brighton.
Responsible to Mr Andy Siantonas, IT Director at Creative Technologies Limited.
Duties The 2 year project aims to embed artificial intelligence expertise to develop an automated financial advice tool. This is the second of 2 linked projects, the first of which will apply requirements engineering expertise to design financial advice software components including security and privacy concerns.
Artificial Intelligence techniques will be selected and built around financial advice software components developed in the preceding project to create an automated financial advice tool. The project is expected to involve the following activities:
Ø Researching intelligent techniques and selecting algorithms for automation of financial advice within a Microsoft software stack framework.
Ø Designing financial advice software components within a Microsoft software stack framework to implement the automated financial tool architecture.
Ø Implementing some of these components
Ø Producing user guidelines and undertaking user acceptance testing.
Ø Contributing towards the development of the business model, producing marketing communications, providing training, reporting, quantifying the impacts and handing over the project.
Qualifications/ The successful candidate will need to fulfil the following criteria:
Experience
Ø Minimum 2:1 BSc in Computer Science, Computer Science with Business or equivalent along with a Masters degree. The Master’s degree is considered necessary to ensure the graduate has sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to match the complexity and ambition of the programme however candidates who can demonstrate that experience substitutes for a Masters may be considered.
Ø Expertise in design within a Microsoft software stack and relevant programming skills.
Ø Experience of software design and development with expertise in languages and technologies such as C#, MS-SQL server, MVC, SOA, TFS, XAML, LINQ and Enterprise web technologies.
Ø Skills should also include AI design and programming, mathematical skills and experience of user interface (UX) design.
Ø Database development skills are desirable.
Personal attributes
Ø Although a knowledge of financial systems is not required, commercial aptitude and the ability to understand the needs of internal and external customers is essential.
The Associate will also:
Ø Have the aptitude to apply technologies developed through research to a commercial scenario.
Ø An ambition and ability to take ownership for a significant and challenging technical project.
Ø Have a methodical and considered approach to project planning and management. Experience of a project management methodology would be useful although training can be provided if required.
Ø Be an excellent communicator, with an engaging personality to support the development of strong, effective relationships with colleagues and aptitude to deliver training.
Ø Be industrious and resourceful with the ability to meet objectives and deadlines with an appropriate level of supervision.
The Salary The salary is £33,000 - £43,000 dependent on qualifications and experience.
Salaries are paid monthly in arrears through the BACS System directly into the bank or building society account of each member of staff. The university must pay salaries through the BACS system. They cannot be paid by cheque. It will therefore be important to supply account details in order to ensure prompt payment.
Duration of the job The appointment is for a fixed term of 2 years in accordance with the period of funding.
On completion of the Partnership, there is a possibility that the company may be in a position to offer the KTP Associate a permanent full-time position.
Holidays Annual leave entitlement is that of Creative Technologies Limited, currently 22 days. New members of staff are entitled to annual leave proportionate to their completed calendar months of service.
Terms & Conditions In determining terms and conditions of employment, the university has regard to recommendations made through the appropriate national negotiating framework. These terms and conditions of service can be varied by local agreements reached through the university’s local negotiating framework, which comprises a Joint Negotiating Committee supported by two Common Interest Groups. These groups bring together representatives of the university and its recognised trade unions, which are:
• UCU University and Colleges Union
• UNISON
How to apply Please complete the application form which can be accessed at http://jobs.brighton.ac.uk/Vacancies.aspx ensuring that you relate the relevance of your qualifications and experience to the requirements of the role as specified above. Please note that CVs will not be accepted, an online application must be completed.
The university aims to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and judged solely on their ability to do the job. In order to achieve this we require each of the selection criteria for the job to be addressed in sufficient detail, in a format that enables efficient handling during the selection process.
Each section should, as far as possible, contain all the information requested. Please take care to follow the instructions.
Applications should be completed online at http://jobs.brighton.ac.uk/Vacancies.aspx. Please contact the KTP Centre with any enquiries, tel: (01273) 642424 email:
If you have not been contacted within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
Closing date The closing date for applications is 09/11/16
Interview date To be confirmed.
EG4029
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