KTP Associate in Polymer Science and Engineering

Overview

Location: Partners for Endoscopy, Unit 21, Hartley House, 22 Galveston Grove, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 3PE.

Aim: Balance the \’green\’ nature of the raw material and solvents with mechanical performance, end-user friendliness, and safety requirements. Navigate the regulatory landscape to ensure the product is compliant with quality and safety standards to secure customers, such as clinics and NHS clients. Manage external stakeholders, including NHS and Ecolab representatives on the steering committee, requiring excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Communicate the value of the solution under development across the business and obtain the appropriate resources as required.

Responsibilities

• Balance environmental considerations of materials with mechanical performance, usability, and safety for end users.
• Navigate regulatory requirements to ensure quality and safety compliance for customers (e.g., clinics, NHS).
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including NHS and Ecolab representatives, as part of the project steering committee; demonstrate excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Communicate project value across the business and secure necessary resources.

Qualifications

• A PhD in a related field is highly desirable, given technical complexity and innovation.
• A strong academic background in polymer chemistry and materials science.
• Demonstrable understanding of polymer synthesis and processing, preferably with experience in sustainable or biodegradable polymers.
• Experience with material characterisation techniques.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team, collaborating with Aston and PFE colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and management skills; ability to engage with academics and industrial partners, including NHS staff.
• Excellent problem-solving and project management skills.
• Desirable: experience in electrospraying, electrospinning, or forcespinning; experience in formulation and prototype development; familiarity with medical device and recycling regulations; ability to work independently and within a larger organization.
• Leadership qualities, maturity, self-organisation, and time management to deliver milestones and objectives; highly motivated and adaptable; career-focused.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team and to use initiative; interest in innovative approaches and new data processing methods.

Benefits & Career Prospects

• Up to £4,000 for personal and professional development for the duration of the project.
• Annual leave: 25 days per year.
• Professional support and mentorship.
• Mental health and wellbeing support: https://www.aston.ac.uk/staff-public/hr/Benefits-and-Rewards/health-wellbeing
• Career prospects: 60% of our KTP associates are offered employment by the companies at the end of the KTP.
• This is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by PFE and Innovate UK. You will play a vital role; learn more at www.aston.ac.uk/ktp.

About the Project

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) involves collaboration between Partners for Endoscopy (PFE) and Aston University, supported by the IUK Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

Company

Partners for Endoscopy (PFE) was founded in 2004 and supplies both public and private hospitals in the UK with specialist services, cleaning equipment and consumables for flexible endoscopes and personal protective equipment. Web page: PFE Medical | Endoscopy products, accessories and services.