Materials and Coatings Modelling Engineer (KTP Associate)

To develop a physics-informed, AI-enabled digital twin platform for diffusion coatings, enabling predictive design, real-time optimisation, and performance forecasting.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage the delivery of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) work plan

(You will receive strong support from both company and academic supervisors.)

• Learn about the business and current processes – understand the business model, update the project plan and risk register, develop knowledge of current processes, and get familiar with the digital systems in place
• Learn the technologies and methods required for a full Digital Twin – develop the technical understanding needed to integrate all parts of the system digitally.
• Digital Twin Prototype Development – Design, Manufacture and Simulation Testing
• Digital Twin Full Expansion – Operation Wide Deployment enabling Real-Time Multi-Process Physics Informed Digital Twin environment
• Optimise and embed the full Digital Twin – test it thoroughly, refine performance, improve the user interface, and put in place the right governance, documentation, and training.
• Validate the Digital Twin with physical testing – confirm accuracy through real‑world tests and assess current DAUK coating performance
• Support commercialisation and final reporting – contribute to activities that help bring the solution to market and complete the project’s final reports.

2. Co-author and present academic papers to relevant journals/conferences.

3. Contribute to KTP evaluation and final reports.

4. Adhere to the University’s & Associate Diffusion Alloys (UK) Ltd.’s Health and Safety Policy and guidelines.

5. Adhere to the General Data Protection and The Data Protection Act 2018.

6. Promote Equality and Diversity for staff and students and embrace the s Values and Behaviours Frame

7. Any other reasonable duties that may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the grading of the post.

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme which is part funded by Innovate UK. It’s essential you understand how KTP works with Business and University partners, and the vital role you will play if you successfully secure a KTP Associate position.

This position is for a 36-month fixed term contract. You will be employed by Teesside University but will be working at the business partner premises day to day.

The appointed candidate will have 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and access to a dedicated £6k training budget tailored towards their personal development. They will have access to industry leading technology and supervision from a leading academic research team from Teesside University. The business partner, Diffusion Alloys (UK) Limited is a global specialist in applying protective coatings to prevent metal degradation.

The business partner, Diffusion Alloys (UK) Limited, is a global specialist in applying protective coatings to prevent metal degradation. This KTP aims to develop a physics-informed, AI-enabled digital twin platform for diffusion coatings, enabling predictive design, real-time optimisation, and performance forecasting. This innovation will transform DAUK’s operations from trial-and-error methods to a data-driven model, supporting clean energy sectors with advanced, high-performance coating solutions for demanding industrial environments.

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post may qualify for university sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.

If you are shortlisted, your interview(s) will take place via Microsoft Teams and face to face at the university and company premises.

Please note that the University may ask you to participate in a number of selection activities as part of the recruitment process for this vacancy.

Interviews will take place on 29 May (1st stage) and 8 June (2nd stage).