KTP Research Associate: AI for innovative and sustainable retrofit design

at  University College London

ABOUT US

UCL and ECD Architects are coming together through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a national scheme which helps businesses to innovate and grow, by linking businesses with a university and a highly qualified graduate, known as a KTP Associate. We are now recruiting for a KTP Associate who will work full-time on this innovative project putting the latest academic research into practice, based at the ECD Architects offices. This role offers a springboard to a career in both industry and academia to postgraduates and postdocs interested in implementing AI and machine learning in a building design practice. The successful candidate will get to apply their commercial, technical, project management and creative skills on a daily basis to a cutting-edge innovative project that will shape the future of sustainable design in the construction sector.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a postgraduate/doctoral degree in Building Physics, Building Performance Modelling, Data Analytics for Smart Buildings, Machine Learning or a closely related subject. The post holder will lead a cutting-edge innovation project that will implement Artificial Intelligence in ECD Architects to improve productivity within the practice and develop a new service that can improve the design process of housing projects. Based at ECD London office, the KTP Associate will coordinate the development of this innovative project from the beginning to the end and engage with industry stakeholders to establish himself/herself as a thought leader in the field of implementing AI in the construction sector. This will involve a review of the existing workstreams and data management practices, implementing AI and machine learning principles to automate data processing and enhance the efficiency and quality of data processing for retrofit projects within ECD, and develop an AI model for building performance prediction at the early stages of design. Plus, the successful candidate will be part of the prestigious 48-year-old national Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme offering a dedicated professional development budget, a network of fellow Associates from many disciplines and training and mentoring opportunities. The Associate will also have the opportunity to write publications about their work alongside the academic and company team. The vacancy is available from 01 January 2025 and the successful candidate must be in post by 01 February 2025. The post has funding for 12 months in the first instance, further funding to support the post may be available.