The University of Salford
Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision (KTP Associate position)
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Info
Location: Salford, United Kingdom
Job Identification: 1047
Posting Date: 09/15/2026, 12:21 PM
Apply Before: 10/04/2026, 10:55 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration of FTC: 36 months
Salary: From £35,000 to £42,000
DBS required: No
Driving Required: No
Organization: Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Salford
This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Artificial Intelligence & Computer Vision graduate to fast-track their career development as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate. The successful candidate will undertake a 36-month collaborative project between Ace Grading and The University of Salford.
About Ace Grading:
Ace Grading is a rapidly growing trading card grading company that authenticates, grades, encapsulates, and labels collectible trading cards for customers across the UK and internationally. Combining industry expertise with innovative technology, they deliver trusted, high-quality grading services.
About the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP):
The KTP scheme is one of the UK's largest graduate recruitment schemes (http://ktp.innovateuk.org/) and is a three-way collaborative project between the Associate, the company, and the knowledge base. It provides an opportunity for the successful applicant to manage a challenging project central to the company’s strategic development and long-term growth.
Role Overview:
The successful Associate will lead the development of innovative AI solutions that automate grading, defect detection, OCR, similarity search, metadata capture, and label generation, helping transform a rapidly scaling business through advanced machine learning and computer vision.
The position will be based at Ace Grading's premises in Banbury, (OX16), working across their grading, operations, IT, systems, and creative teams to develop, implement, and embed advanced AI and computer vision solutions into live business processes. Alongside the technical aspects of the role, the Associate will support organizational change by delivering training, creating technical documentation, and helping colleagues adopt new digital tools and ways of working. The successful candidate will also be expected to travel regularly to the University of Salford for project meetings, training, and collaboration with the academic team. Throughout the KTP, you will gain valuable experience working with senior leaders, operational staff, technical specialists, and academic experts, providing a unique opportunity to develop both technical and commercial skills while leading a high-profile innovation project within a fast-growing technology-driven business.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and embed advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision solutions within Ace Grading's live trading card grading operations.
- Design and implement automated defect detection, card centring analysis, metadata extraction, visual similarity search, intelligent label generation, and human-in-the-loop grading systems to increase capacity, efficiency, and accuracy.
- Translate cutting-edge AI research into robust, scalable systems that can operate reliably within a fast-growing, high-volume commercial environment.
- Manage large image datasets, develop and deploy machine learning models, establish MLOps processes, and ensure solutions deliver measurable business value while maintaining the high grading standards for which Ace Grading is known.
- Manage a strategically important innovation project and work closely with colleagues across grading, operations, IT, systems, and creative teams.
- Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, support organizational change, and help embed new AI capabilities across the business.
Who We Are Looking For:
- A graduate with a minimum 2.1 BEng/BSc in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related discipline.
- Knowledge and demonstrable experience in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and software development, with the ability to apply these techniques to solve real-world business challenges.
- Experience of developing, testing, and deploying machine learning models using common frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar technologies.
- Experience of working with image-based datasets, object detection, image classification, OCR, or related computer vision applications would be advantageous.
- A postgraduate qualification (MSc or PhD) in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Data Science, or a related field is desirable but not essential.
- Excellent communication, organization, and project management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels and drive the successful adoption of new technologies within a commercial environment.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Additional Benefits:
- To facilitate professional development, the successful candidate will receive extensive practical and formal training, gain highly desirable specialist business skills, broaden knowledge and expertise within an industrially relevant project, and gain valuable experience from their industry and academic mentors.
- The KTP Associate will also benefit from a Personal Development Budget of £6,000 (over and above their salary).
How to Apply:
CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. Alternatively, to apply online, see the University job listing at Jobs | University of Salford.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
At the University of Salford, we are committed to an inclusive approach to promoting equality and diversity. We aim to have a more diverse workforce at all levels of the institution and particularly welcome applications from people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities, who are under-represented in our workforce.
Please note this opportunity may close early depending on applicant volume.
About Us:
Join us here in Salford and be part of one of the UK’s fastest-growing universities. At Salford, you’ll find a career that works for you, with flexible working, great benefits, generous annual leave, and continuous professional development.
All our people are important to us, and we have services dedicated to your mental and physical wellbeing from an Employee Assistance Programme to discounted gym membership. All of this on either our Peel Park campus or our MediaCity campus, at the heart of a world-renowned digital and media hub.
We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. Our difference makes us stronger, and together we share a passion for improving students’ lives. We have a commitment to be Net Zero by 2038 and embed sustainability in all aspects of university life.
And, most importantly, we offer you a rewarding career. A career where everything you do will make a difference – to the students, our local community, and the world around you.
At the University of Salford, you’ll join a place to be inspired, connect, and thrive. Find out more about a career that works for you at www.salford.ac.uk/jobs.
Similar Jobs:
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Location