AI & NLP Scientist/Engineer (KTP Associate)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with relevant skills to join the project team delivering a 12- month (up to 15 months, subject to grant approval) project between Loughborough University and SVGC Limited, funded by UKRI Innovate UK.

You will join one of the UK’s Top research-led universities (REF 2021) and a highly-ranked Computer Science Department with access to a wide range of high-spec computing facilities including HPC, deep learning machines and workstations with the most recent high-performance GPUs and servers.

Working within SVGC, together with academic partners from Loughborough University the successful applicant will develop AI-based Natural Language Processing tools for digital record processing, archiving, curation and retrieval for government departments and public sector bodies. These automated processing methods will enable de-duplication of files and identification of content ensuring legislative compliance with the Public Records Act.

DETAILS

• Period: 12 months (up to 15 months, subject to grant approval)
• Salary: £33,000 – £37,000 per annum (Starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment) plus £2,000 per annum training budget
• Application deadline: Sunday 14 April 2024
• Interview date: week commencing 22 April 2024

Informal enquiries should be made to the Academic Supervisors Prof. Georgina Cosma (G.Cosma@lboro.ac.uk)

Candidates must be in post by June 2024 due to grant funding. Therefore, due to the time required for security clearance for the role, only those who are currently resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK, are eligible to apply.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

The KTP Associate will:

• Undertake technical reviews based on user needs; validate gaps and capture requirements, articulating challenges and opportunities for AI information retrieval in the target solution environment.
• Understand and apply solutions able to be integrated within the current and future product designs for development of information retrieval systems.
• Apply theoretical concepts and academic knowledge in AI, and natural language processing in a challenging real-life industrial application within technical, operational and legal boundaries.
• To manage relationships with numerous project stakeholders with diverse agendas including existing and new SVGC clients.
• Encourage the next generation of data science and AI professionals, implementing AI strategies within industrial contexts and progressing concepts through to commercialisation.
• Strive to meet the company’s competitive and time-critical commercial R&D technical development challenges environment, delivering high-quality research outputs to deadlines.
• Understand the dynamic nature of industrial requirements, adopting an agile project management strategy to mitigate any potential risks.
• Explore intellectual property solutions in line with the company IP strategy.
• Prepare reports on technical contribution as part of the set of company deliverables and contribute to academic research papers.

Job Duties

• Carry out the KTP project tasks and deliver the outcomes as outlined in the project plan.
• Manage the project and integrate the findings within the broader project team activity.
• Undertake KTP management training, as well as other courses as deemed necessary.
• Write R&D reports as part of the set of client deliverables, and present summaries of these at the Local Management Committee (LMC) meetings, as well as at national conferences and symposia with other members of the project team.
• Prepare research papers for publication in highly acclaimed learned journals, in line with the expected scholarly activities of the University Research Staff, but in accordance with the commercial sensitivity of collaborating companies.
• Travel to Company clientele and to various other locations within the UK, as required.
• To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

Points to Note

• Previous KTP associates or employees of SVGC are not eligible to apply for this KTP.
  Applicants must have completed their last qualification (degree, masters, PhD) no more
  than five years before closing date.UK Security Clearance is a requirement for this role. The candidate will be required to apply for UK Security Check (SC) following selection. SVGC will support the candidate in this process. More information is available here.

SOME REASONS TO JOIN SVGC

• Opportunity to play a significant part within a small business.
• Joining unique projects to learn, grow and excel, by learning on-the-job, learning from others and through formal learning.
• Work in a supportive culture with access to a wide range of people to support your development – with professional qualifications and mentoring to help you steer your career in your chosen direction.
• Be at the heart of the digital revolution in globally important organisations.