KTP Associate

Aston University; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Development stipend

Mentoring

Job summary

Aston University partners with Precision Ceramics Limited to deliver a 24-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership focused on digital transformation. The project will replace legacy manual systems with a fully integrated digital ecosystem, aiming for AS9100 readiness and enabling growth in aerospace, space and nuclear sectors.

You will work across academic and industrial teams, shaping digital workflows and data-driven processes.

Qualifications

• Evidence of delivering improvements in efficiency, quality, or data visibility.
• Experience collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience digitalising workflows or implementing business systems.
• Understanding of quality management in manufacturing/engineering sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-value strategic digital transformation project across academic and industrial settings.
• Capture tacit knowledge into repeatable standard operating procedures.
• Improve contract review and quoting processes.
• Embed data-driven feedback loops for pricing, lead times and quality control.
• Support readiness for AS9100.

Skills

Measurable improvements

Stakeholder engagement

Digitalising workflows

Quality improvement

Data-driven decisions

Change management

Process mapping

Analytical capability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Workflow automation

Digital integration tools

Job description

Digital Transformation Specialist - KTP Associate

Aston Business School

Location: Precision Ceramics Limited, 86 Lower Tower Street, Birmingham, B19 3PA

Salary: £35,000 to £37,000per annum

ContractType: Fixed Term(24 months)

Basis: Full Time

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours BST on Sunday 04 October 2026

InterviewDate: Monday 19 October 2026

Reference: 1441-26

ReleaseDate: Monday 21 September 2026

This 24-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership gives you the chance to lead a strategic digital transformation project between Aston University and Precision Ceramics Limited. The project aims to replace legacy manual, paper-based management systems with a fully integrated digital ecosystem, helping the business progress towards AS9100 certification and opening opportunities in regulated high-growth sectors including aerospace, space and nuclear. You will take a central role in digitalising operational workflows, capturing expert knowledge into repeatable standard operating procedures, improving contract review and quoting, embedding data-driven feedback loops for pricing, lead times and quality control, and supporting the company’s readiness for AS9100.

What you will gain:

You will lead a high-value strategic project with direct business impact while working across both academic and industrial settings. You will benefit from academic and business mentoring, expert input in digital transformation, operations and information systems, and £2,000 per annum for personal and professional development for the duration of the project.

What we are looking for:

Skills/ experience required for this exciting role include:

• You should bring evidence of delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, or data visibility
• Experience of working collaboratively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience in digitalising workflows, improving operational processes, or implementing business systems.
• You should also have an understanding of quality improvement within manufacturing or engineering sectors
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills across technical and operational teams, and an understanding of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement methodologies.

We are interested in candidates with strong analytical capability and experience in process mapping, digital transformation, or systems implementation.

• Knowledge of quality management systems, particularly AS9100 or ISO standards within regulated engineering sectors such as aerospace, would be valuable.
• Familiarity with ERP or MRP systems, workflow automation, or digital integration tools would also strengthen your application, as would the ability to capture and formalise tacit knowledge into structured, repeatable processes and exposure to change management or cultural transformation initiatives.

Attributes

You should be highly organised, self-motivated, and able to manage complex, multi-stream project. The role also requires highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to support an organisational transformation programme and to work effectively with staff across quality, production, sales and wider business functions.

Additional Benefits and support:

• Up to £4,000 for personal and professional development for the duration of the project

KTP Associates lead strategic projects, bridging the academic and business worlds, which can enhance and fast-track their career. You will also benefit from expert coaching and mentoring. 60% of our KTP associates are offered employment by their host companies at the end of the KTP.

This is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Precision Ceramics Ltd 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 Gajanan Panchal and Dr Victoria Uren from Aston University and the Senior Management Team at Precision Ceramics with further support from an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

The Business Partner

Precision Ceramics Limited manufactures custom technical ceramic solutions and provides a broad range of ceramic materials and ultra-precise machining services for rapid manufacture of custom components to client design and specification across sectors such as aerospace, electronics, medical, semiconductor and nuclear. It serves major companies including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, GE. Working with Precision Ceramics offers the chance to help shape an established business that is targeting growth in regulated sectors through AS9100 certification.

Location

You will be based predominantlyat Precision Ceramics Limited, 86 Lower Tower Street, Birmingham, B19 3PA and should be based within commutable distance of the business. You will also have access to facilities at Aston University in central Birmingham. Some travel to key clients may also be required.

To learn more about this role it is essential you refer to the Job Description documents.

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.