AI Innovation Lead (KTP Associate)

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal development budget

AI in safety engineering

Full project lifecycle experience

Academic dissemination

Residential training sessions

Management & academic experience

Career acceleration

Academic resources

Travel & subsistence budget

Mentoring via Innovate UK

Job summary

BB7 Consulting Limited, in collaboration with the University of Leeds, seeks a KTP Associate to lead the development of an innovative Knowledge Management and Training platform leveraging Explainable AI (XAI) and ML.

Based at BB7's Leeds offices and embedded within the company, you will gain access to the University of Leeds facilities and academic expertise to accelerate practical, data‑driven decision making in fire engineering.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Analytics, Data Science, CS, Engineering or related field.
• Experience with AI/ML applications in industry is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of a Knowledge Management and Training platform.
• Bridge knowledge gaps with data-driven approaches and embedding AI.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to deliver the project artefacts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Research collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Education

Master's or PhD in Analytics/DS/CS/Engineering

Tools

XAI tools

ML frameworks

Job description

Salary: £42,000 to £52,000 p.a. plus a Personal Development budget of £4,667.

You will be primarily based at BB7’s offices in Leeds, fully embedded within the company, while also benefiting from access to the University of Leeds’ facilities, resources, and academic expertise.

Do you hold a Master’s or PhD in Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline?

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development of an innovative Knowledge Management and Training platform designed to enhance knowledge sharing and technical decision-making in the fire engineering industry. The project will leverage Explainable AI (XAI) and Machine Learning (ML) to accelerate skills development, improve consistency, and support digital transformation across the sector.

The University of Leeds is offering a unique opportunity to accelerate your career in industry through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). You will work in collaboration with BB7 Consulting Limited and Leeds University Business School, gaining experience at the interface of academic research and commercial application within one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities.

Established in 2009, BB7 Consulting Limited is a leading consultancy specialising in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Assurance, Fire Risk Management, and façade solutions. The company delivers a full-service approach to complex construction challenges and operates across the full RIBA lifecycle, from concept design through to building operation and maintenance. BB7 holds B Corp status and was shortlisted for Engineering Consultant of the Year at the 2025 Building Awards, reflecting its commitment to high standards and innovation.

As a KTP Associate, you will play a central role in delivering this strategically important project. Working closely with industry professionals and academic experts, you will lead the design and development of the solutions bridging knowledge gaps and embedding advanced data-driven approaches within the organisation.

What are the benefits of being a KTP Associate?

• All KTP Associates spend 10% of their time on Personal Development, making full use of a £4,667 PD budget
• Experience working at the forefront of AI application in a safety-critical engineering environment
• Hands-on exposure to the full lifecycle of an AI product
• Opportunity to contribute to academic dissemination
• Access to two residential training sessions aimed at developing project management skills
• Opportunity to gain both management and academic experience
• Potential to fast-track a career in industry
• Access to a wealth of academic resources
• Access to a Travel & Subsistence and Consumables budget
• Access to mentoring sessions through Innovate UK

To explore the post further, or for any queries you may have, please contact:

ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR

Dr Richard Hodgett
Email: [e-mail]

ACADEMIC LEAD

Dr Sajid Siraj
Email: [e-mail]

Company Supervisor

John Rigby - Director
Email: [e-mail]