KTP Associate in Continuous, Distributed River Water Quality Sensing

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Generous pension scheme

Discounts and staff networks

Job summary

The University of Sheffield, in association with Anglian Water Services Ltd., is recruiting a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate to develop a decision-support system for nitrate forecasting in water reservoirs. You will lead modelling, deployment, and collaboration between university and Anglian Water teams.

The role requires a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field, strong Python programming, and experience with numerical modelling and optimization.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent R&D experience) in Engineering, Physical Science or Applied Mathematics.
• Experience planning numerical modelling experiments and interpreting results.
• Demonstrable experience with optimization in numerical modelling.
• Proficient programming in Python with writing reusable code.
• Experience presenting findings to diverse audiences.
• Ability to plan workload and manage conflicting deadlines.
• Willingness to travel to project partner sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of a decision-support system for nitrate forecasting and management.
• Demonstrate deployment of the system to support operational and investment decisions.
• Develop deployment protocols and technical documentation for embedding the system.
• Communicate with Anglian Water and academic staff on implications and project management.
• Disseminate outputs via publications, conferences and engagement with water sector customers.
• Lead project milestones, plan workload, and produce technical documents.
• Participate in residential training and knowledge transfer activities.
• Work across multiple sites including Anglian Water offices and University of Sheffield.

Skills

Python

Numerical modelling

Teamwork

Communication

Education

PhD in Engineering/Physical Science/Applied Mathematics

Tools

General Lake Model (GLM)

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The University of Sheffield, in association with Anglian Water Services Ltd. are recruiting a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate to help develop and validate a groundbreaking decision-support system to jointly forecast (up to 3 months ahead) and manage water availability and quality in water supply reservoirs, with a focus on nitrate pollution. The technology has potential to immediately save millions of pounds, and to be deployed to reservoirs in the UK and beyond. We are looking for a well-motivated individual, with a good technical background including numerical modelling and computer programming, and ideally experience of hydrodynamic and water quality modelling, seasonal weather forecasting system assimilation, and optimization under uncertainty. Working between Anglian Water and university premises, you will lead the development of the decision-support system, evaluate and improve its performance and lead its deployment for operational and investment decision‑making (supported by Anglian Water Ltd.). There will be significant opportunities for personal development including a residential programme at Ashorne Hill to further develop your professional skills and network. A generous development and training budget of over £4,000 is available. You will benefit from being a member of one of the largest urban water research groups in the UK, as well as gaining direct experience with one of the UK’s most innovative and forward‑looking water companies. We are also committed to exploring flexible working opportunities.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the development of a decision-support system for nitrate forecasting and management.
• Demonstrate how that decision-support system can inform operational as well as long‑term investment decisions.
• Develop deployment protocols and technical documentation to facilitate the embedding of the decision‑support system within the strategic and operational frameworks the water company uses.
• Communicate effectively with key Anglian Water and academic staff to understand economic, environmental, regulatory and scientific implications of the project and ensure effective project management.
• Effectively disseminate project outputs via both publications, at external events (e.g. scientific conferences) and engagement with potential water company customers.
• Lead the project, attend project meetings, monitor milestones and produce technical documents as required. This includes planning your own workload to ensure the overall project milestones and objectives are met on time.
• Engage fully with the requirements of the knowledge transfer partnership scheme, including personal development and reporting. This includes attendance at residential training courses.
• Work across multiple sites, including at Anglian Water Huntingdon and Peterborough offices, and the University of Sheffield.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at A PhD (or equivalent research and development experience) in a relevant Engineering, Physical Science (e.g. Physics/Chemistry), or Applied Mathematics subjects (Assessed at application)

Application Experience in planning and executing numerical modelling experiments and interpreting findings

Application/interview Demonstrable experience with optimization in numerical modelling.

Application / interview Demonstrable computer programming ability (in particular in Python), and to write code that others can use

Application/interview Evidence of working effectively in a team and presenting findings to a wide range of audiences

Application/interview Ability to plan own workload and prioritise conflicting deadlines

Application/interview Ability to make decisions and apply creative approaches to solving complex technical problems

Application/interview Appreciation of the commercial implications of decisions, particularly for costs

Application/interview Willingness and ability to travel between and work at project partners premises

Application/interview Experience of using lake hydrodynamic and water quality models, and in particular the General Lake Model (GLM)

Desirable

Application/interview Experience in using ensemble weather forecasts (such as seasonal forecasts) in water resource applications

Further Information

Grade Off Scale

Salary £39,000 - £42,000

Work arrangement Full‑time

Duration 26 months

Line manager Knowledge Base Supervisor

Direct reports N/A

Right to work in the UK If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mac

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr. Charles Rougé, (Knowledge Base Supervisor): on [e-mail]

By applying, you are agreeing that we can share your information with Anglian Water Ltd.

Next steps in the recruitment process

Following the closing date, we will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in a new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 26 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Full time hours of 37, typically 9-5pm but can be flexible as above.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.