At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of AI solutions that drive real-world business decisions.
- Company: Join Tapestry, a leading retail analytics consultancy partnered with the University of Bath.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, personal development budget, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Gain mentorship from industry experts and access to extensive training resources.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating AI systems that influence international business strategies.
- Qualifications: Strong technical skills in machine learning and a passion for commercial applications.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 51000 £ per year.
Develop AI solutions that drive commercial business decisions. We are looking for a highly capable machine learning specialist to lead the development of a next-generation retail insight platform, combining advanced analytics with real-world commercial decision-making. This is not a typical data science role!
This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) brings together The Tapestry Agency, a leading retail analytics consultancy, and the University of Bath, a top UK research institution in AI and machine learning. You will be at the centre of this collaboration, applying cutting-edge research to build production-ready AI systems that directly influence international business strategy and client outcomes.
This project will bring together an exciting combination of expertise in business and marketing strategy to develop an AI-powered retail insight platform that unifies a retailer's consumer data, providing affordable, real-time, strategic recommendations. The project will democratise access to advanced analytics for UK retailers, supporting growth, competitiveness, and productivity while enabling Tapestry's transition to a scalable, technology-led business model with international potential.
This is an opportunity for you to 'fast track' your career into business by leading a high profile and strategically meaningful project to a successful conclusion, allowing you to utilise your academic achievements in an industrial setting. By joining this multidisciplinary KTP between The Tapestry Agency and the University of Bath, you will have the opportunity to work on a challenging and exciting project, using ground-breaking technology with incredible team support and development opportunities.
About Tapestry
Tapestry is a UK-based data insight and marketing strategy consultancy helping multi-channel retailers grow through better use of customer data. Working with a wide range of clients, from growing SMEs to established retail brands, delivering insight across acquisition, retention and channel performance. This project represents a major step in Tapestry's evolution into a product-led, AI-enabled business with international growth ambitions.
About you
We're looking for someone who combines strong technical capability with curiosity and commercial awareness. As the KTP Associate, you will act as the project lead, responsible for delivering the full lifecycle of the project.
- Design, develop and validate machine learning models and decision systems
- Work with complex, multi-source retail datasets
- Translate technical outputs into actionable commercial insights
- Collaborate with engineers to embed models into a scalable platform
- Lead project planning, delivery and stakeholder engagement
- Transfer knowledge into the business through training and documentation
You will be supported by:
- Academic experts from the University of Bath
- Senior leaders across analytics, technology and strategy at Tapestry
Why this role is exciting
This is a rare opportunity to own and deliver a high-impact AI product from end-to-end. You won't be building isolated models, you'll be creating systems that:
- Are deployed into a live platform
- Are used by real clients
- Directly influence commercial decisions
In this role, you will:
- Own a strategically critical project from research through to deployment and commercialisation
- Work at the intersection of advanced academic research and real-world business application
- Help transform an established consultancy into a technology-led SaaS business
- Apply machine learning, optimisation and decision systems to complex, real-world datasets
- See your work deliver measurable impact for retail clients
This role offers a unique combination of:
- Technical depth: advanced AI/ML development
- Commercial impact: direct influence on product and strategy
- Leadership: full ownership of a high-profile project
You will also benefit from:
- Structured KTP training and leadership development
- A dedicated £2,000 yearly personal development budget
- Mentorship from leading academics and experienced industry professionals
- Opportunities to publish research and build your professional profile
If you're looking to move beyond pure research or engineering into a role where you can build, deploy and own impactful AI solutions, this is an exceptional opportunity.
Further information
This is a fixed-term hybrid role for a period of 29 months at the Tapestry Agency with monthly travel to Swindon.
Additional benefits of being a KTP Associate:
- All KTP Associates spend 10% of their time on Personal Development, making full use of a generous personal development budget
- Access to two 1-week residential training sessions at Ashorne Hill, aimed at developing project management skills
- Opportunity to gain both industry management and academic experience with mentoring from the University of Bath and internally at The Tapestry Agency
- Access to a wealth of academic and industrial resources
- Access to a Travel & Subsistence budget
- Access to mentoring sessions through Innovate UK Business Connect
It is essential that you understand how KTP works with business and the University, and the vital role you will play.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you
We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work.
Closing Date: 18 May 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £43,000 to £51,000 depending on qualifications and experience
Machine Learning Engineer (KTP Associate) (CC13642) - Bath, BA2 7AY employer: What Jobs
At Tapestry, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Machine Learning Engineers to lead transformative projects at the intersection of advanced AI research and real-world business applications. Our collaborative work culture, supported by the University of Bath, fosters professional growth through structured training, mentorship, and a generous personal development budget, all while contributing to meaningful commercial outcomes in the retail sector. With a commitment to diversity and employee well-being, Tapestry provides a supportive environment where your contributions can make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Machine Learning Engineer (KTP Associate) (CC13642) - Bath, BA2 7AY
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your projects. Make sure you can explain your thought process and how your skills align with the role. We want to see your passion for machine learning!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply blindly! Tailor your approach for each application. Research the company and mention specific projects or values that resonate with you. This shows you’re genuinely interested and not just sending out mass applications.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Machine Learning Engineer (KTP Associate) (CC13642) - Bath, BA2 7AY
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for machine learning and AI shine through! We want to see how your curiosity drives you to explore innovative solutions that can impact real-world business decisions.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight relevant experiences that align with the role. We’re looking for someone who can bridge technical skills with commercial awareness, so don’t hesitate to showcase projects where you've done just that!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use simple language to explain your achievements and how they relate to the role. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at What Jobs
✨Know Your Machine Learning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your machine learning concepts and techniques. Be ready to discuss specific algorithms, their applications, and how they can be used in retail analytics. This role is all about applying cutting-edge research, so showing your technical depth will impress the interviewers.
✨Understand the Business Side
This isn't just a data science role; it's about driving commercial decisions. Familiarise yourself with how AI can influence business strategies, especially in retail. Think about examples where data-driven insights have led to significant business outcomes, and be prepared to share these during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
You'll be working closely with engineers and stakeholders, so highlight your teamwork experience. Prepare examples of past projects where you successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Emphasising your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly will be key.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the project, the team dynamics, and the company's vision for the future. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level.
