Machine Learning/Language Modelling Scientist (KTP Associate)

DUTIES OF THE POST
As a KTP Associate, you will be solely focused on the design and development of the in-house solution, for proposal and sign off by key stakeholders at University of Essex, Cooper Parry and Innovate UK. The Goal? To enhance efficiency and reduce manual effort across our teams. You will collaborate across service delivery and support teams at Cooper Parry to acquire a deeper understanding of our business as well as the technology that could be leveraged as part of the solution. You will be working with a variety of stakeholders across Operations, Tech and service lines to ensure the project runs seamlessly.

10% of your time will be dedicated to enhancing your knowledge and skills around technology and project management. Training will be through collaboration across University of Essex, Cooper Parry and Innovate UK, providing you with an excellent support network to set you up for success throughout this project and beyond.

The duties of the post will include:
• Review and gain knowledge of the process to be automated through collaboration with the service lines.
• Create process maps and align project requirements and desired outputs with wider business vision.
• Explore appropriate technologies, advancements that could contribute to the solution (LLM, Agentic AI, APIs, RPA etc.).
• Develop and communicate the project plan, providing updated solution commercials and ROI calculations.
• Identify areas for training and development to support you as part of the project.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, providing regular updates on project progression.
• Collaborate with the Information Security Group (ISG) to ensure that all data security and AI policies are understood and adhered to.
• Implement the designed project plan, ensuring that all end users are taken effectively through the change curve.
• Track and report KPIs, providing leadership updates on performance trends and tracking of ROI.
• Use data insights to optimise solution functionality further.
• Embed technology, train and upskill the wider CP team.
• Participate in academic and/or industrial conferences and other events, to disseminate and present research outcomes to the wider community.

It’s important in this role that you stay informed on emerging tech, as you drive the design, development and implementation of the solution.

These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
Cooper Parry, is keen that their people play all in. You’ll continuously strive to keep learning – whether you’re a trainee or a Partner – and you’ll be brave, stepping out of your comfort zone to tackle new challenges. Above all, be nice. A simple notion, but an irreplaceable part of what makes Cooper Parry, Cooper Parry.

In addition to those core values, as a KTP Associate, you will have;
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or related discipline or equivalent working experience.
• MSc or higher degree in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or equivalent commercial experience.
• Programming skills in relevant languages such as Python, C++, R.
• Knowledge of AI, APIs, RPA and other emerging technologies.
• A deep understanding of the principles and best practice in Machine Learning for both supervised and unsupervised algorithms.
• Deep understanding of principles and best practice in machine learning, with a focus on NLP especially in sequence labelling tasks based on LLMs.
• Experience of using open-source libraries e.g. Matplotlib, Plotly, Python resources for data analysis and representation.
• Experience of handling large and complex data.
• Knowledge of project management, automation, and process optimisation.
• Strong collaboration, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead a complex project with competing deadlines and priorities.
• A high level of spoken English and excellent academic writing.
• Tenacity and persuasiveness to keep this complex project moving forward and to bring others along the journey.

BENEFITS
As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:
• A personal development budget of £4,500 (exclusive of salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project.
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.

In addition, Cooper Parry offers :
• A flexible approach to work – balancing working from home, in office or with clients
• No dress code – just “wear something!”
• A multi-award-winning wellbeing offering to support your physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health
• Volunteering opportunities to work closer with local communities and charities
• Cooper Parry social/sports clubs

Feeling supported and welcomed is such a big part of bringing your whole self to work. As an equal opportunities employer, Cooper Parry will work with you to ensure you have everything you need to develop your skills and achieve your best. Get in touch if you have any questions about our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion or about accessibility/accommodations during your application process.

Due to the continued explosive growth of Cooper Parry (CP), the company is building out its’ Platforms & Digitalisation Team – focused on identifying and leveraging best of breed platforms, automation capabilities and developing innovative in-house solutions to further enhance the experience of their clients and teams.

To support this vision, the KTP Associate will join the University of Essex and Cooper Parry team as part of this collaboration supported through Innovate UK. The KTP Associate will research, innovate and develop an in-house solution for one of the Cooper Parry key service line processes. The KTP Associate will be supported by a team of experts at the University of Essex as well as by senior members of the Operations Team at CP.