Knowledge Transfer Associate - Keep Scotland Beautiful

University of Stirling
October 24, 2024
Contact:N/A
Offerd Salary:£37,099-£44,263
Location:N/A
Working address:N/A
Contract Type:Fixed term for 24 mo
Working Time:Full time
Working type:N/A
Ref info:N/A
Knowledge Transfer Associate - Keep Scotland Beautiful Apply Post Details

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS

Keep Scotland Beautiful and University of Stirling

Full time Fixed term for 24 months

Salary: £38,000 p.a.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 24 October 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances. For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Scotland's International Environment Centre at the University of Stirling is looking to appoint a highly motivated and ambitious Artificial Intelligence Engineer with expertise in artificial intelligence and computer vision to lead on a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

In this exciting role, the successful applicant will lead the development of artificial intelligence models for the detection of litter in images capture by mobile cameras and integrate these methods into an operational and commercialise system for automatic litter survey and reporting.

As the KTP Associate, you will also be responsible for the daily planning and implementation of the KTP project plans, objectives, and milestones. You will take the lead in promoting and disseminating the project outputs, and you will develop relationships and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders.

The role will be primarily based at Keep Scotland Beautiful in Stirling, but the post holder will work closely with a dynamic, innovative team of scientists and technical specialists at the University of Stirling.

Description of Duties
  • Design, develop, and optimize computer vision algorithms for the automated detection of litter in digital images
  • Create, curate and manage data to support the design, development, and optimization of computer vision algorithms
  • Design, test and optimise appropriate methodologies for the capture of images from mobile cameras
  • Design, develop and implement software to automate the process of analysing digital images (backend) and the reporting of results to users (frontend)
  • Document technical specifications and adhere to best practices in writing, managing and testing code
  • Lead in promoting and disseminating project outputs, and develop and manage relationships and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders
  • Write or contribute to journal publications, project reports, presentations and disseminate results and outcomes using other appropriate media as appropriate
  • Essential Criteria
  • A Ph.D. (or M.Sc. with appropriate experience) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field
  • High proficiency in scientific programming in one or more languages (e.g., Python) and an ability to self-learn new technical skills
  • Outstanding expertise in computer vision, with experience in deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or OpenCV
  • Experience in the development of web applications and mapping libraries implemented in common frameworks such as React
  • Experience in the operation of mobile cameras and the analysis of digital images using computer vision algorithms
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • A passion for learning and keeping up with the latest advancements in the field
  • Desirable Criteria
  • Experience with cloud computing platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure (Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks)
  • Knowledge of current Scottish environmental policy around resource management, litter and/or climate change
  • Experience of managing a research project or identified parts of a large project, ideally involving multiple collaborators and stakeholders
  • Experience in research commercialisation and the development of marketable products and services
  • Track record of research publication in high impact scientific journals
  • Behaviours and Competencies

    The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

  • Managing self and personal skills Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

  • Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

  • Finding solutions Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

  • Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

  • Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

  • Engaging with the wider context Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

  • Developing self and others Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

  • Working together Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

  • Achieving Results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

  • About Us

    The Faculty of Natural Sciences encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland's International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

    Biological and Environmental Sciences

    Our research interests are broad, ranging from conservation and evolutionary ecology to environmental processes including carbon and nutrient cycling, aquatic and catchment sciences, landscape and forest ecology, evolutionary biology, environment and human health, energy and environmental sustainability. Research activities are led by principal investigators who seek to understand the fundamental processes driving the evolution and maintenance of the natural environment and its interactions with human populations. We develop and exploit a range of technologies from Earth observation through to molecular techniques to understand how environments function and ecosystems are impacted from local to global scales and over annual to millennial timescales. Our research and impacts are found in all continents of the world and position us as a leading institution in Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation. In REF2021 all 100% of our research was rated as having either outstanding or very considerable impact.

    Computing Science and Mathematics (CS&M) The research strength of CS&M is its inherent inter-disciplinary nature which exploits synergies between Computing Science, Mathematics, Life Sciences (including Biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Science and Neuroscience), Social Science and Management. Our research is conducted in two complementary research groups: Data Science and Biological Modelling, which have the common theme of investigating complex systems in uncertain and dynamic real world environments. In addition to Cognitive Data Science and Optimisation, the Data Science group has a focus on Security and Networking addressing data-driven security (including cyber security) and networking and systems looking at the associated challenges of safeguarding anonymity, and preserving privacy, trust and security. Our research has real-world impact in areas ranging from airport scheduling, control of disease spread in animals and plants, cancer diagnosis and therapy, sentiment analysis, to software bug fixing by automated software engineering. In the 2021 NSS survey, Mathematics was rated 1st in the UK and Computing Science 8th in the UK.

    Keep Scotland Beautiful is your charity inspiring action for our environment. Our mission is to inspire changes in behaviour to improve our environment, the quality of people's lives, their wellbeing and the places that they care for. Our vision is for a clean, green, sustainable Scotland. We are a practical organisation working with communities, schools, businesses, local and national government, public bodies and individuals to help combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, restore nature and biodiversity and improve the places we care for. We support the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    The University

    The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

    The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

    More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University's sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

    The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

    The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership. www. stir.ac.uk @stiruni

    Job number

    FAC01971

    Contract Type

    Fixed Term Contract

    Posting End Date

    24-Oct-2024

    Location:

    Stirling Campus

    Grade

    Grade7 £37,099-£44,263 p.a.

    Faculty/Service

    Faculty of Natural Sciences Post Details

    KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS

    Keep Scotland Beautiful and University of Stirling

    Full time Fixed term for 24 months

    Salary: £38,000 p.a.

    The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 24 October 2024.

    There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

    This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances. For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

    The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

    The Post

    Scotland's International Environment Centre at the University of Stirling is looking to appoint a highly motivated and ambitious Artificial Intelligence Engineer with expertise in artificial intelligence and computer vision to lead on a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

    In this exciting role, the successful applicant will lead the development of artificial intelligence models for the detection of litter in images capture by mobile cameras and integrate these methods into an operational and commercialise system for automatic litter survey and reporting.

    As the KTP Associate, you will also be responsible for the daily planning and implementation of the KTP project plans, objectives, and milestones. You will take the lead in promoting and disseminating the project outputs, and you will develop relationships and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders.

    The role will be primarily based at Keep Scotland Beautiful in Stirling, but the post holder will work closely with a dynamic, innovative team of scientists and technical specialists at the University of Stirling.

    Description of Duties
  • Design, develop, and optimize computer vision algorithms for the automated detection of litter in digital images
  • Create, curate and manage data to support the design, development, and optimization of computer vision algorithms
  • Design, test and optimise appropriate methodologies for the capture of images from mobile cameras
  • Design, develop and implement software to automate the process of analysing digital images (backend) and the reporting of results to users (frontend)
  • Document technical specifications and adhere to best practices in writing, managing and testing code
  • Lead in promoting and disseminating project outputs, and develop and manage relationships and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders
  • Write or contribute to journal publications, project reports, presentations and disseminate results and outcomes using other appropriate media as appropriate
  • Essential Criteria
  • A Ph.D. (or M.Sc. with appropriate experience) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field
  • High proficiency in scientific programming in one or more languages (e.g., Python) and an ability to self-learn new technical skills
  • Outstanding expertise in computer vision, with experience in deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or OpenCV
  • Experience in the development of web applications and mapping libraries implemented in common frameworks such as React
  • Experience in the operation of mobile cameras and the analysis of digital images using computer vision algorithms
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • A passion for learning and keeping up with the latest advancements in the field
  • Desirable Criteria
  • Experience with cloud computing platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure (Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks)
  • Knowledge of current Scottish environmental policy around resource management, litter and/or climate change
  • Experience of managing a research project or identified parts of a large project, ideally involving multiple collaborators and stakeholders
  • Experience in research commercialisation and the development of marketable products and services
  • Track record of research publication in high impact scientific journals
  • Behaviours and Competencies

    The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

  • Managing self and personal skills Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

  • Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

  • Finding solutions Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

  • Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

  • Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

  • Engaging with the wider context Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

  • Developing self and others Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

  • Working together Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

  • Achieving Results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

  • About Us

    The Faculty of Natural Sciences encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland's International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

    Biological and Environmental Sciences

    Our research interests are broad, ranging from conservation and evolutionary ecology to environmental processes including carbon and nutrient cycling, aquatic and catchment sciences, landscape and forest ecology, evolutionary biology, environment and human health, energy and environmental sustainability. Research activities are led by principal investigators who seek to understand the fundamental processes driving the evolution and maintenance of the natural environment and its interactions with human populations. We develop and exploit a range of technologies from Earth observation through to molecular techniques to understand how environments function and ecosystems are impacted from local to global scales and over annual to millennial timescales. Our research and impacts are found in all continents of the world and position us as a leading institution in Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation. In REF2021 all 100% of our research was rated as having either outstanding or very considerable impact.

    Computing Science and Mathematics (CS&M) The research strength of CS&M is its inherent inter-disciplinary nature which exploits synergies between Computing Science, Mathematics, Life Sciences (including Biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Science and Neuroscience), Social Science and Management. Our research is conducted in two complementary research groups: Data Science and Biological Modelling, which have the common theme of investigating complex systems in uncertain and dynamic real world environments. In addition to Cognitive Data Science and Optimisation, the Data Science group has a focus on Security and Networking addressing data-driven security (including cyber security) and networking and systems looking at the associated challenges of safeguarding anonymity, and preserving privacy, trust and security. Our research has real-world impact in areas ranging from airport scheduling, control of disease spread in animals and plants, cancer diagnosis and therapy, sentiment analysis, to software bug fixing by automated software engineering. In the 2021 NSS survey, Mathematics was rated 1st in the UK and Computing Science 8th in the UK.

    Keep Scotland Beautiful is your charity inspiring action for our environment. Our mission is to inspire changes in behaviour to improve our environment, the quality of people's lives, their wellbeing and the places that they care for. Our vision is for a clean, green, sustainable Scotland. We are a practical organisation working with communities, schools, businesses, local and national government, public bodies and individuals to help combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, restore nature and biodiversity and improve the places we care for. We support the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    The University

    The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

    The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

    More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University's sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

    The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

    The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership. www. stir.ac.uk @stiruni

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