KTP Associate

Role: Research Scientist (KTP) (Heriot-Watt University and The Scotch Whisky Research Institute

Salary: Up to £35,000 pa, dependent on experience 

Contract: Full-time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term (24 months) 

Holidays: 25 days annual leave plus 9 public holidays, (most of which are used when the company is closed between Christmas and New Year)

Detailed Description  

Heriot-Watt University (HWU) and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) have been awarded a collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) to develop a novel but rapid and simple quantitative measure of Scotch Whisky colour.  

We are seeking a highly talented and motivated candidate for this Knowledge Transfer Associate position. You will apply and extend your skills by leading the creation of this new method, through a combination of spectroscopic measurements, sensory tests, and statistical analysis. You will be the interface with the Scotch whisky industry, to understand their requirements and communicate your results. Your aim will be the adoption of the method; if successful, this will save time in the whisky production process, improve the quality and consistency of brands, and enable the detection of counterfeit products. 

This 24-month, full-time position is funded by SWRI and InnovateUK. The successful appointee will be based at SWRI’s facility in Riccarton, Edinburgh. Your skills will be enhanced through targeted training and development for which time is allocated with a dedicated budget. You will be supported by SWRI’s resident experts on whisky analysis and its application in the Scotch whisky industry and work closely with colleagues at HWU’s Edinburgh campus with expertise in spectroscopy and statistics.  

SWRI 

For the last 50 years, SWRI has been providing scientific knowledge and innovation for the mutual benefit of its member companies, which represent around 90% of Scotch Whisky production. SWRI undertakes applied research that allows common industry challenges to be identified and addressed. The proposed project is an example of the industry’s desire to work collaboratively to improve a scientific measure with the goal of adopting a standardised approach across the industry.  

The research goals addressed in this project, namely maintaining and enhancing product quality and protecting against counterfeiting, are long-standing objectives that will remain a priority for the foreseeable future. The project will result in the transfer of knowledge from HWU to SWRI and contribute to successful outcomes for the Scotch Whisky industry. It will be an outstanding springboard for a career in this sector for the successful Associate.

Heriot-Watt University  

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.  

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages.  

This project is being delivered by our Institute of Chemical Sciences (ICS) and School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS) at the Edinburgh campus. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities  

• Review the relevant literature and summarise current working practices on colour measurement in the Scotch whisky industry 
• Set-up industry focus groups to discuss current measures and desired improvements in colour measurement 
• Design and set-up extensive laboratory spectroscopic experiments on a unique library of Scotch whiskies 
• Participate in the design and implementation of sensory tests of perceived whisky colour  
• Lead the analysis and interpretation of research data, and develop required outputs drawn from the research findings 
• Plan and manage the activity of the project in line with the specified workplan  
• Contribute to, and lead, dissemination of the results: to include setting up workshops, presentations to SWRI members, participation in scientific conferences and publication of scientific papers. 
• Actively participate in the activities of the wider SWRI business 

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the salary of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all key duties and responsibilities. 

The role will be based at SWRI’s laboratories in Edinburgh. There will also be travel to SWRI member company sites and to external KTP training events during the project.  

We will assess applicants based on the essential criteria, not by the key duties. 

Education, Qualifications and Experience 

Essential

Qualifications

• An enhanced Undergraduate Degree (MSci, MChem, MPhys) or Master's Degree (MSc) in Chemistry, Physics, Analytical Science, or related Physical Science Disciplines  

Experience

• Experience in conducting laboratory experiments and recording scientific data under controlled and reproducible conditions.  

• Experience in quantitative science and an integrated knowledge of data and analytical sciences

Competencies, Skills and Knowledge 

• Proficiency using reporting and presentation tools, Scientific Data Analysis and Graphing Tools and other relevant computer-based tools used in a research environment 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing 

• Flexible, self-motivated, and able to plan own work, as we all as work within a team and with others beyond it.  

• Strong desire to develop skills and accelerate own career development 

• Capacity to work in a small-business setting and at the interface between business and academia

Desirable

Qualifications

• PhD or higher-level degree in a relevant discipline 

Experience

• Experience with authoring scientific reports or papers 

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team  

• Proven experience in statistical analysis using standard tools such as PCA or regression. 

Competencies, Skills and Knowledge

• Firm grasp of the principles of spectroscopy 

• Coding experience in MATLAB, Python or other scientific programming language. 

How to Apply  

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV 

Applications can be submitted until midnight on Sunday 5th January 2025.

Shortlisting aims to be complete by 17th January 2025. Interviews to commence week of 27th January 2025.

Candidates can make informal enquiries about this position to Prof Kenneth McKendrick (Heriot-Watt University) – k.g.mckendrick@hw.ac.uk or Katie Parish-Virtue (The Scotch Whisky Research Institute) katie.parish-virtue@swri.co.uk.

 

 

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Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot-Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community. 

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