KTP Associate (Heriot-Watt University and Robbie Fluid Engineering Ltd)

Salary: £37,100

Contract Type: Full Time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term (24 months).

Benefits: 28 days annual leave (includes bank and public holidays, and any period during which the Company closes down for Christmas and the New Year).

About the Organisation

The successful appointee shall be based at Robbie Fluid Engineering and shall work closely with researchers at Heriot-Watt University. 

Robbie Fluid Engineering Ltd 

Robbie Fluid Engineering manufactures, supplies, and installs creative, innovative fluid engineering solutions. Our Bathgate facility supports highly trained, experienced engineers and includes a fully equipped workshop and service vehicles. We undertake pressure testing, hydraulics testing, oil quality analysis and system development and provide preventative technologies across a wide range of machinery in sectors such as plant, haulage, marine, agricultural, medical and process engineering. Robbie Fluid Engineering has an ongoing development program supporting ultrafine fluid treatments and are investing strongly in this field. We have ambitions to grow rapidly and support new environmentally friendly solutions, this project plays a significant part in such growth. 

Detailed Description 

This collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP), led by the successful appointee, will develop a product that characterises chemically degraded materials and provides a service to enable the removal of contaminants in hydraulic fluids. 

During the project, a device for the real-time characterisation of degradation products and contamination removal in hydraulic fluids will be designed, developed, produced, and commissioned. The successful appointee will exploit knowledge in chemical characterisation, combined with advanced measurement techniques, multiphase computational fluid mechanics modelling, and development of user-friendly instrumentation, to enable in-field deployment. The final product will have a potential to revolutionise the way that hydraulic systems are maintained through a significant reduction in the wastage of hydraulic fluid and will bring significant environmental and commercial benefits. 

This full-time position is funded by Robbie Fluid Engineering and Innovate UK.  The successful appointee will be based at Robbie Fluid Engineering, Inchwood Park, Bathgate and the project will involve working closely with colleagues at Heriot-Watt University in order to transfer knowledge to the business (this is not an academic research project). 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The successful candidate will: 

• Conduct and manage engineering solutions, product development and related administrative activities, with guidance as required, ensuring that project aims, and objectives are met. 
• Work closely with the supervisory team, to develop and plan research objectives. 
• Report directly to the senior management team; good presentation and communication skills are therefore essential. Presentations are also anticipated to clients and customers of the company in various locations, which will require strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Build appropriate networks within and outside the team. 
• Where needed, travel to the collaboration partners, Heriot-Watt University to carry out research and/or attend meetings presentations etc. 
• Write and support the publishing of research reports, conference, and indexed journal papers in line with project requirements. 
• Support the dissemination of outputs and contribute to technical workshops, seminars, and conferences as appropriate. 
• Support public engagement activities through web-based and social media-based methods as appropriate. 
• Ensure that all data collection undertaken as part of the project is done so ethically and in line with UK (GDPR) privacy and data protection policies, and in compliance with the requirements of the funder. 
• Undertake training activities as necessary and agreed with the supervisory team to deliver on the project aims and objectives and to further career development. 

Applicants should note that the Intellectual property generated as part of this research will belong to Robbie Fluid Engineering Ltd.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post and its general responsibilities.  Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. 

Education, Qualifications and Experience 

Essential Criteria

• Enhanced Undergraduate degree (MEng, MChem, MSc), or PhD in mechanical, chemical, process or fluid engineering, chemistry or applied chemistry, or similar. 
• Experience in manufacturing, maintenance, and fabrication of fluid cleaning stand-alone units. 
• Experience in experimental design. 
• The ability to conceptualize problems and develop well-reasoned and logical viewpoints. 
• The ability to convey detailed information in an articulate and enthusiastic manner is essential.
• Work meticulously in data gathering and to develop robust mechanisms for research in addition to developing readily accessible methodologies. 
• Required to be fluent (verbal and written) in English. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Scientific Data Analysis and Graphing Tools and other relevant computer-based tools used in a modern research environment. 
• Should be hardworking, and proactive, willing to learn new things. 
• Must be able to work well independently but also be able to work within a team and with the public. 
• Flexible, self-motivated, and able to plan their own work. 
• Good interpersonal and supervisory skills 
• Enjoys being part of a diverse team, and willing to take a 'hands on' approach from the outset. 

Desirable Criteria 

• MEng or PhD in Mechanical/Hydraulic Engineering with experience in data analytics applied to analytical science. 
• Background in computational fluid dynamics, CAD modelling (designing and commissioning of device units), multiphase flows, and data science along with excellent programming skills. 
• Knowledge of analytical applications of UV-visible, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry desirable. 

About Heriot-Watt

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia.  The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages.  Heriot-Watt University is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV 

Applications can be submitted until midnight on 15th June 2024. 

Shortlisting aims to be complete by 20th June and interview will commence the week beginning 1st July 2024.

Candidates can make informal enquiries about this position to Dr Ali Ozel  (HWU Assistant Professor) Email: a.ozel@hw.ac.uk  OR Dr Mark Robbie (CEO) Email: mark.robbie@fluid-engineering.co.uk

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.