Lead a strategic project, accelerate your career development and make a positive impact as a KTP Associate

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme has been helping businesses innovate for growth for 45 years. In that time, it has opened up more than 14,000 fantastic career opportunities for the talented graduates who lead each project. More than 70% of them go on to be employed by the business partner, where they continue driving innovation and positive change. 

Right now, our KTP website has 30+ vacancies for high calibre graduates and post graduates looking to make an impact and kick start their careers.

So who are they? They’re called KTP Associates and they act as the Project Manager in a KTP, leading the collaboration between an Academic and Business team that makes up every KTP project.

What is the KTP Associate role – and what makes it special?

Acting as “the bridge” between the academic and business teams in a KTP collaboration, KTP Associates play a unique role in applying deep academic knowledge and fresh thinking to a real-world challenge. 

A Management Training Course with Ashorne Hill kick starts skills development, and Associates can build on this throughout their KTP with a generous Personal Development & Training budget. As well as having the support of both a Business and Academic Supervisor, KTP Associates benefit from mentoring and guidance by the project’s dedicated Knowledge Transfer Adviser from KTN.

What KTP Associate roles are currently available?

Here’s just a taster of the many and varied ways in which you could make an impact as a KTP Associate. Check out our jobs page regularly for the latest opportunities and follow us on twitter @KTN_KTP for jobs news.

• Using AI for a new consumer app for pet health (Vet-AI/ University of Leeds), 
• Implementing Strategy Engagement for Energy Supplier, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks; 
• Working as a Sensor Technology Specialist for global security gate specialist, Gunnebo (University of Sussex)
• Leading a project as Visual Sensor Research Scientist for iconic jam brand, Wilkin & Sons
• Developing Sustainable Leather for Scottish Leather Group (working with University of Strathclyde); 
• Working as an R&D Scientist on Gene Therapy (Freeline/University of Leeds);
• Developing liposomal formulations as a Formulation Scientist for Detoxpeople 
• Breeding Programme Manager for Aquaculture specialist Otter Ferry Seafish (University of Stirling); 
• Environmental Scientist for recycling specialist Restructa.

As you can see, the breadth of challenges KTP Associates can lead are as big as the opportunities they present to make a positive economic, environmental or societal impact.  

See KTP Associate vacancies here.

How does a KTP work? KTPs are a high impact solution for a business which has an idea for a strategic innovation but not all the expertise in house to deliver it. 

A partnership (KTP) is set up matching the business team with an Academic partner – usually within a University, Research Organisation or Catapult. The partnership recruits a KTP Associate who leads the project, and embeds knowledge within the business. This unique 3-way collaboration also enjoys the expert input of one of the KTN’s national network of specialist Knowledge Transfer Advisers who help each project succeed. 

What’s it like working as a KTP Associate?

The best people to ask are current KTP Associates. Right now, there are more than 800 of them, all driving innovation within forward-thinking businesses right across the UK.

You can read a profile of Verity Moorhouse, who’s working with Timber Frame specialist, Sevenoaks Modular and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Or Agnieszka Bachleda-Baca, whose project was in sustainable energy with building optimisation company, arbnco. 

You’ll find more video snippets of KTP Associates here and on the Graduates page of the KTP website here. 

What sectors do KTPs operate within?

KTPs work in all sectors and all regions of the UK. Today there are more than 820 live projects, each with a KTP Associate leading the way.

Find out more here and see the latest vacancies here.