AKT Associate - Mayfair/PotPlant AKT

Founded in 1894, City, University of London is a global university committed to academic excellence with a focus on business and the professions.

City attracts around 20,000 students (over 40% at postgraduate level), from more than 150 countries and staff from over 75 countries.

In the last decade City has almost tripled the proportion of its total academic staff producing world-leading or internationally excellent research. During this period City has made significant investments in its academic staff, its estate and its infrastructure and continues to work towards realising its vision of being a leading global university.

The culture at City is built on our shared core values, which means that all employees are expected to behave according to our values: “We care, We learn, We act.”

Background

City, University of London (City) and Matfair Catering Ltd are collaborating to create a proof-of-concept solar-powered plant care system combining AI and sensors, targeted at household consumers who love plants but have limited knowledge of plant care.

The Associate will be based at City, University of London, Northampton Square, London - with the opportunity for hybrid working if preferred. Fully remote is not possible as the Associate will need to access City's laboratories.

Mayfair Catering Ltd experienced the full effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of loss of revenue and disruption to operations. The company is targeting the house plant care sector to diversify its income streams. Existing contacts in offices and buildings across London and the Southeast provide a ready-made test-bed for the prototype.

Responsibilities

This is a proof of concept project where the Associate will investigate:

• Smartphone camera to recognise plant(s) via optical character recognition.
• Automated care plans.
• Sensor monitoring of the plant’s growing environment.
• Optional watering systems (e.g. if householders are away) to prevent over/underwatering (most common cause of plant death).
• Fault management monitoring system operations, e.g. water leakage, insufficient power harvested from solar panel, etc.
• Powering the system through a rechargeable solar battery.

Person Specification

Core expertise required in the Associate include:

• Previous sensor product R&D experience.
• Expertise and experience in developing instrumentation for physical monitoring.
• Experience working with industry and awareness of delivering projects in a commercial environment.

Additional Information

City offers a sector-leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development.

The role is available from Monday 18th March 2024. You must be able to start work on this date and therefore must have the immediate Right To Work in the United Kingdom.

Closing date:10th March 2024 at 11:59pm

To apply and for more information about the post please use the 'Apply' link above.

For an informal discussion please contact Michael Drummond via [email protected]

Place of work will be City, University of London. Hybrid working arrangements can be discussed at interview.

City, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.

We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

City operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

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