KTP Associate in Reservoir Water Quality and Availability Forecasting

Overview

The University of Sheffield, in association with Anglian Water Services Ltd. are recruiting a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate to help develop and validate a groundbreaking decision-support system to jointly forecast (up to 3 months ahead) and manage water availability and quality in water supply reservoirs, with a focus on nitrate pollution. The technology has potential to immediately save millions of pounds, and to be deployed to reservoirs in the UK and beyond.

We are looking for a well-motivated individual, with a good technical background including numerical modelling and computer programming, and ideally experience of hydrodynamic and water quality modelling, seasonal weather forecasting system assimilation, and optimization under uncertainty. Working between Anglian Water and university premises, you will lead the development of the decision-support system, evaluate and improve its performance and lead its deployment for operational and investment decision-making (supported by Anglian Water Ltd.).

There will be significant opportunities for personal development including a residential programme at Ashorne Hill to further develop your professional skills and network. A generous development and training budget of over £4,000 is available. You will benefit from being a member of one of the largest urban water research groups in the UK, as well as gaining direct experience with one of the UK’s most innovative and forward-looking water companies. We are also committed to exploring flexible working opportunities.

The successful postholder will be based in Anglian Water Services Limited, Lancaster House, Lancaster Way, Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6XU and will also be required to travel and work at different sites including Peterborough and Sheffield.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead and manage the development of a decision-support system for nitrate forecasting and management. 
• Demonstrate how that decision-support system can inform operational as well as long-term investment decisions.
• Develop deployment protocols and technical documentation to facilitate the embedding of the decision-support system within the strategic and operational frameworks the water company uses.
• Communicate effectively with key Anglian Water and academic staff to understand economic, environmental, regulatory and scientific implications of the project and ensure effective project management.     
• Effectively disseminate project outputs via both publications, at external events (e.g. scientific conferences) and engagement with potential water company customers.
• Lead the project, attend project meetings, monitor milestones and produce technical documents as required. This includes planning your own workload to ensure the overall project milestones and objectives are met on time.
• Engage fully with the requirements of the knowledge transfer partnership scheme, including personal development and reporting. This includes attendance at residential training courses.
• Work across multiple sites, including at Anglian Water Huntingdon and Peterborough offices, and the University of Sheffield.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD (or equivalent research and development experience) in a relevant Engineering, Physical Science (e.g. Physics/Chemistry), or Applied Mathematics subjects (Assessed at application)  

Essential

Application

Experience in planning and executing numerical modelling experiments and interpreting findings

Essential

Application/interview

Demonstrable experience with optimization in numerical modelling.

Essential

Application / interview

Demonstrable computer programming ability (in particular in Python), and to write code that others can use

Essential

Application/interview

Evidence of working effectively in a team and presenting findings to a wide range of audiences

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to plan own workload and prioritise conflicting deadlines

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to make decisions and apply creative approaches to solving complex technical problems

Essential

Application/interview

Appreciation of the commercial implications of decisions, particularly for costs

Essential

Application/interview

Willingness and ability to travel between and work at project partners premises

Essential

Application/interview

Experience of using lake hydrodynamic and water quality models, and in particular the General Lake Model (GLM)  

Desirable

Application/interview

Experience in using ensemble weather forecasts (such as seasonal forecasts) in water resource applications

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

Off Scale

Salary

£39,000 - £42,000

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

26 months

Line manager

Knowledge Base Supervisor

Direct reports

N/A

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility.  Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website .

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mac

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr. Charles Rougé, (Knowledge Base Supervisor): on [email protected]

By applying, you are agreeing that we can share your information with Anglian Water Ltd.

Next steps in the recruitment process

Following the closing date, we will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [email protected]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.