Data Scientist (KTP Associate)

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This new full time post is available immediately on a 2 year fixed term basis.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time in the office and some from home. The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Exeter, but will be primarily based at Rebuild Cost Assessments offices in Poundbury, Dorset.

Summary of the role

We are seeking a Data Scientist to work as the KTP Associate on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Rebuild Cost Assessment Ltd.

Rebuild Cost Assessment Ltd (RCA) provide property owners with a reliable estimate of how much it would cost to rebuild their property for insurance purposes. More information about the company can be found here: www.RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com

This KTP project aims to develop Data Science and Machine Learning methods to automate much of the rebuild cost assessment process. The successful applicant will work with large, unstructured datasets.

About you

Applicants will have a computer science or mathematics background, with a masters’ level qualification in the subject or a PhD being desirable but not essential (essential for grade F role). They must be a self-starter, have confidence in their own abilities, be happy to work alone and as part of an embedded team and have excellent communication skills. Candidates should be able to demonstrate they can work autonomously, with dedication, strong attention to deal and a flexible approach.

Extensive experience with programming languages like Python and R, knowledge of Relational Databases and the ability to manage “big data” is essential. Applicants must also have demonstrable experience with AI/machine learning. Experience with machine vision or remote sensing image processing is desirable but not essential. The Associate must have an aptitude for, and show an interest in, the commercial aspects of the work being undertaken, be able to demonstrate an initial understanding of the drivers for customer engagement and eventual market uptake.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a fantastic opportunity to work with academia and industry and lead on specific project.  Support, guidance and training will be provided to the Associate and the position includes a £4,000 personal development budget, a two-week residential training course at Ashorne Hill on management skills and 10% of your time dedicated to training and personal development.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).  

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City .

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Dr Rudy Arthur ([email protected] ) at the University of Exeter, or Will Molland ([email protected] ) at RCA.

The department has gained a Silver Athena SWAN award as a commitment to providing equality of opportunity and advancing the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

Please note that as of 1st September 2022 our colleges and schools will be moving into a new structure which will consist of the following three Faculties – Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, and Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.