Cyber Security and Digital Resilience Lead – KTP Associate

Aston University; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Development stipend

26 days annual leave

4 day week hybrid

Job summary

Aston Business School invites applications for a Cyber Security and Digital Resilience Lead – KTP Associate. Hybrid role based at Redditch with university collaboration, leading development of in-house cybersecurity capabilities for G&O Springs and aerospace supply chain.

You will map information flows, design controls, and build governance routines to pursue US & UK defence and aerospace opportunities, while working with Aston University experts.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in information security or related discipline.
• Experience in policy development and compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001 and NIST.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and embed cybersecurity governance and compliance capabilities across office and factory environments.
• Map information flows and design priority controls to meet NIST 800-171, ISO 27001.
• Collaborate with senior management, IT, engineering and production to drive strategic capability development.

Skills

Policy development

Risk management

Cyber resilience

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Master's degree in information security

Job description

Cyber Security and Digital Resilience Lead – KTP Associate

Aston Business School

Location: Hybrid working – primarily based at G&O Springs Ltd, Broad Ground Road, Lakeside, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8YP

Salary: £41,000per annum

ContractType: Fixed Term(24 months)

Basis: Full Time

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours BST on Sunday 11 October 2026

InterviewDate: Monday 02 November 2026

Reference: 1381-26

ReleaseDate: Thursday 24 September 2026

About the Role:

The successful applicant on this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project will develop and embed an in-house cyber security compliance capability at G&O Springs, equipping the business to meet NIST SP 800-171, CMMC readiness requirements and ISO 27001 expectations across both office and factory environments.

You will work within G&O Springs, collaborating with senior management, IT, engineering and production teams to map information flows, design priority controls, and build the governance routines the business needs to pursue US & UK defence and aerospace supply-chain opportunities.

What you will gain:

Develop and implement advanced cybersecurity and digital resilience frameworks (including ISO 27001 and NIST 800-171) within a live aerospace and defence manufacturing environment

Gain hands‑on experience embedding governance, risk management, incidentresponseand continuous improvement processes across complex digital and operational systems

Work within a high‑growth SME supplying major aerospace and defence organisations, contributing to strategic capability development and market expansion

Contribute to establishing a permanent in‑house cybersecurity capability that supports access to high‑value, security‑critical programmes and international markets

Collaborate closely with leading experts from Aston University and the Manufacturing Technology Centre,benefitingfrom academic supervision and industry mentoring

This KTP offers a unique opportunity for an individual keen to lead and deliver strategic business change. You will work closely with senior University academics and company leadership to apply cutting‑edge cybersecurity and digital resilience practices, embedding them into real‑world operations to drive sustainable growth and long‑term competitive advantage.

What we are looking for:

• A minimum master’s degree in information security, Cyber Security, or a closely relateddiscipline.
• Demonstratableadvanced theoretical knowledge and practicalunderstanding of secure systems, risk management, and cyber resilience.
• Strong analytical and research capability, supported by effective project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven competence in policy development, quality assurance, process mapping, and gap analysis against recognised information security frameworks (including ISO 27001 and NIST).
• Experience within an industrial setting or with policy/process development in compliance‑focused environments is highly desirable.
• Relevant professional certifications or accreditations in cyber security, information security, risk, governance, compliance, or change management (e.g. CISM, CISSP, ISO 27001 Implementer, or equivalent).
• Experience withOperational Technology/Manufacturingand Cyber security.
• Attributes:
• Analytical thinker who can solve complex problems
• Able to articulate business and technical problems, logical solutions and impactful outcomes
• Team player who works productively across locations and disciplines
• Adaptable and comfortable in a hybrid work setting (office‑based with travel)
• Proactive learner who makes the most of development opportunities
• Communicates well with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Additional Benefitsand support:

• £2000 per annumfor personal and professional development for the duration of the project
• Annual leave (26daysp/a)
• 4 Day Working Week (Monday to Thursday)hybrid working arrangement

KTP Associatesleadstrategic projects, bridgingtheacademicand businessworlds,whichcan enhance and fast‑track their careerwith ownership of amulti yearstrategic project working withand learning fromseniorbusinessleadership. You willbenefitfrom expert coaching and mentoring.60% of KTP associates are offered employment by their hostcompanies at the end of the KTP.

This is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by G&O Springs and Innovate UK . KTPs are collaborative, three‑way partnerships creating positive impact and driving innovation by linking businesses with the UK's world class knowledge bases to deliver innovation projects led by skilled graduates. It is essential you understand how KTP works and the vital role you will play if you secure this position. To learn more please visit: www.aston.ac.uk/ktp

Aston University: You will work in a project team with Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy and Prof. Joshua Ignatius from Aston University, Manufacturing Technology Centre experts, and the senior team members at G&O Springs with further support from an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

The Business Partner: G & O Springs is a precision spring manufacturer for Aerospace and safety critical applications. A family‑owned business with a strong set of values, G & O Springs’ mission is to provide industry‑leading products and services to international safety‑critical OEMs while embracing environmental and social responsibility. This is an exciting time to work with this growing, innovative company.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC):This collaborative project is supported by colleagues from the MTC who will support withthe practical implicationsof implementing cyber‑security solutions, ensuring solutions developed work in practice and minimise business disruption.

Location: You will have a hybrid working arrangement, based predominantly at G&O in Redditch. You will also have access to facilities at Aston University in central Birmingham. Due to the nature of the project, candidates are required to reside within a commutable distance of G&O Springs.

To learn more about this role it is essential you refer to the Job Description documents. For informal enquiries about this role please contact Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy e‑mail: [e-mail]

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

This role is likely to qualify for endorsement under the Endorsed Funder route of the Global Talent visa. This visa is for talented or promising individuals in academia or research in fields such as science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, or humanities.

It is an Innovate UK requirement that candidates hold a visa or immigration permission to cover the full duration of the contract. The successful candidate is therefore expected to apply for a visa as necessary in line with their contract duration.

The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual’s lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions.

Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/inclusive-aston

Guidance on AI-Assisted Applications
While we cannot prevent applicants from using AI tools to support their application, we ask that all submissions reflect your own experience, achievements, and motivations. We want to understand what you personally bring to the role, so please ensure your application represents your own voice and capabilities.