KTP Associate

Aston University; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to £4,000 for personal and pro dev

Job summary

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate role is available in the School of Engineering & Innovation. Based with ISTL in Staffordshire, you will lead a project to develop fault-managed DC power systems powering loads up to 1500W, collaborating with Aston University and ISTL supervisors.

The role requires a PhD in Power Electronics or a relevant Masters with industry exposure, and strong skills in DC-DC design, PSCAD, MATLAB/SIMULINK, and embedded control.

Qualifications

• PhD in Power Electronics desirable or Masters with industry experience.
• Experience in high-voltage DC-DC design and testing.
• Experience with PSCAD/Spice/MATLAB-SIMULINK.
• Strong communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Integrate new technical capabilities into ISTL and embed developments.
• Apply electrical/electronics design skills to create a prototype with circuit analysis, CAD and simulation tools.
• Select an appropriate micro-controller balancing performance and cost and apply software development skills.
• Project manage a complex, innovation-focused project to deliver a commercially viable outcome.
• Assimilate knowledge of GaN transistor technology and multilevel converter circuits.

Skills

DC-DC converters

PSCAD

Spice

MATLAB/SIMULINK

Embedded control

DSP/MCU/FPGA

Communication skills

Power electronics

Education

PhD in Power Electronics or Masters w/ industry exp

Tools

GaN MOSFETs

Job description

Power Electronics Engineer- KTP Associate

School of Engineering & Innovation

Location: Integrated System Technologies Limited, Serenity House, 55 Wellington Crescent, Fradley, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8RZ

Salary: £40,000 to £45,000per annum

ContractType: Fixed Term(24 months)

Basis: Full Time

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours BST on Wednesday 16 September 2026

InterviewDate: To be confirmed

Reference: R260045

ReleaseDate: Friday 28 August 2026

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership project represents an exciting opportunity to develop innovative high-voltage fault-managed power systems for both domestic and commercial applications. You will lead this strategic project under the supervision of academic and company supervisors, finding novel approaches to offer a highly efficient DC power distribution solution capable of powering device loads up to 1500W in a cost-effective manner.

With the growing recognition that DC systems are set to replace traditional AC systems due to their superior energy efficiency for modern electronic loads, industry interest in novel DC power solutions is rapidly increasing. This offers an excellent career opportunity to directly address that demand by creating next-generation fault-managed DC power systems and establishing yourself in an field.

Candidate Profile:

A PhD in Power Electronics is desirable or a minimum Masters level qualification with some industry experience (both in power electronics).

Skills/ experience required include:

Essential for the role:

• Design, build and test of high-frequency DC-DC converters up to 600 V.
• Use of software tools such as PSCAD, Spice, MATLAB/SIMULINK.
• Embedded control design using Digital Signal Processors, microcontrollers and/or Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
• Excellent communication skills to maintain a meaningful dialogue between stakeholders including end users, clients and distributors.

Desirable for the role:

• Familiarity with domestic wiring regulations.
• Experience in the power electronic industry, and a commercial-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Experience with Gallium Nitride (GaN) MOSFETs in switched-mode power supplies.

Main responsibilities:

• To integrate new technical capabilities into a small agile company like ISTL and ensure that developments are well understood and embedded.
• To apply electrical/electronics design skills to create a prototype including circuit analysis, computer aided design and complex simulation tools, e.g. MATLAB/SPICE/SIMULINK.
• To select an appropriate micro-controller (balancing performance and cost) and applying software development skills for compliant control systems.
• To project manage a complex, innovation-focused project to produce a commercially viable outcome.
• To assimilate knowledge of high-speed, low-loss Gallium Nitride transistor technology and/or novel, multilevel converter circuits.

Personal attributes:

• Strong interpersonal skills to successfully work with various stakeholders.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Leadership qualities, maturity, good self-organisation, and time management skills to deliver agreed milestones and objectives.
• Highly motivated and adaptable.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of the team and use initiative.
• Strong desire to pursue innovative approaches, demonstrate creative and analytical thinking and problem solving.

Additional Benefits and support:

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

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 ISTL and Innovate UK . 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 Drs Andrew Cross and Faisal Mehmood Shah from Aston University and the Senior Management Team at ISTL, with the support of an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

Location:You will be based at ISTL, Staffordshire, but will have access to facilities at Aston University in central Birmingham. Some travel to Aston University and key clients may also be required. Flexible working can be arranged.

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. See the Home Office guidance: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent ; 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.

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

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role as part of Aston University’s commitment to equality and diversity and ensuring a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. Personal details that are included on application forms, including the candidate’s name and address will not be disclosed to the shortlisting panel. CVs will not be considered as part of the shortlisting process.

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

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