Advanced Research Engineer – Materials Technology, Coatings (KTP Associate) in Birmingham

Advanced Research Engineer – Materials Technology, Coatings (KTP Associate)

Birmingham City University is looking to appoint a high calibre graduate as an Advanced Research Engineer – Materials Technology, and Coatings (KTP Associate) to deliver an exciting 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership in the BCU’s Department of Management, Business and Marketing (Business School) and Department of Engineering (ABCE) and Hockley Mint Limited. This role presents an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with leading academics at Birmingham City University, to apply knowledge and technical innovation, delivered on site at the company. This Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) is co-funded by a grant from Innovate UK and Hockley Mint Limited. It is therefore essential you understand the fundamentals of the KTP collaboration between a UK business and a University works to deliver benefits for each (the company, the university, and the graduate) For more information please go to Home – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The KTP Associate will work on:

• New alloy development based on experimental work including processing of materials (casting, thermo-mechanical processing etc) and coating (PVD deposition, electroplating and anodizing)
• Testing and characterization of the developed materials including mechanical and optical response, chemical and corrosion testing and also biocompatibility.
• Assessing the sustainability of the new alloy systems, developing processes that embed circular credentials in the manufacturing and commercialisation of the products.
• Developing a commercialisation document that will allow the company to implement a route to market plan.
• Developing project and milestone documents (presentations, risks registers, health and safety assessments)
• The role requires the successful candidate to develop: Technical documentation relating to the development of new alloy systems Any additional health and safety documentation that may come out from the development of new alloy
• A commercialisation plan to market the new alloy
• A mini-product passport highlighting the sustainability characteristics of the developed alloy
• The KTP Associate must also be adept at applying their knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and making an impact where possible, with an ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions.
• The KTP Associate must have the following key attributes to ensure the project’s successful completion.

Skills and Experience

The KTP Associate will hold a relevant masters or PhD degree.

• A minimum Master’s level qualification in material science, metallurgy or chemistry
• Excellent communication skills to express ideas effectively, orally, graphically and in writing to articulate complicated matters between the academics and the company project team members
• An ability to work to tight deadlines with diligence, attention to detail, and maintain high standards of work\
• An ability and aptitude to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team; and self-management and planning skills to make optimum use of time
• Strong leadership skills in successfully implementing and embedding new innovations within a company or organisation
• PhD in a related subject or relevant experience Academic acumen to enable successful reporting through research publications in academic journals and marketing/training materials\
• Practical experience of working in the field of metallurgy.

Personal Skills

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to take a proactive role in delivering the proposal’s work plan successfully
• Practical interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and industrial partners
• Excellent communication skills to express ideas adequately and articulate complicated matters between the academics and the company project team members either orally or in writing
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and computational skills, along with being adept at applying knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and making an impact where possible

Personal Training & Development Budget

The KTP Associate will have access to a wide range of benefits including a personal development budget of £5,000 to upskill during the project.

Location and Reporting

The successful candidate will be employed by Birmingham City University and seconded to work full-time onsite at Hockley Mint Limited,70-71 Warstone Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands,B18 6NG.The KTP Associate will deliver the 30-month KTP project in partnership with Birmingham City University and Hockley Mint Limited. The KTP Associate will be supervised and mentored by both a knowledge base lead and academic supervisor from BCU’s Department of Management, Business and Marketing (Business School) and Department of Engineering (ABCE),and by Hockley Mint’s Company Supervisor.

Interviews will take place week commencing 4th January 2027.

The project focuses on developing and validating sustainable alloy systems using optimised combinations of precious and non-precious metals, advanced surface engineering, and circular manufacturing principles. Experimental pathways will investigate copper-zinc alloy systems, lightweight polymer-based materials, and electrum-inspired lower-carat alloys followed by material characterisation and performance testing. The project will focus on alloy chemistry optimisation, optical and microstructural behaviour, manufacturability, recyclability, durability, and surface engineering. Experimental work will include casting trials, PVD deposition, electroplating, anodising, wear and corrosion testing, sustainability assessment, and market validation within live commercial jewellery manufacturing environments.

About the business

Hockley Mint is a long-established Birmingham manufacturer that combines traditional jewellery craftsmanship with modern production technology. It serves jewellery retailers and brands with everything from bespoke one-off pieces to large-scale production runs, while maintaining a strong focus on British manufacturing and sustainable practices. For further information please visit www.Hockleymint.co.uk