University of Derby
FEM, Design & AI/ML Optimisation Engineer (KTP Associate)
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About Us
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home STEM, the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.
The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, Data Science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and Psychology. We are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.
School of Engineering and Built Environment
The School of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Derby is a dynamic and future-focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation. It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design, preparing students to tackle global challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and the built environment.
The School is home to research-active academics with backgrounds in engineering, architecture, interior design, and construction. Our staff bring real-world experience and academic rigour to the classroom, supporting students in developing both creative portfolios and technical competencies.
The discipline area is located in the University’s STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.
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About James Engineering Ltd
James Engineering is a third-generation family engineering business, established over 75 years ago, specializing in structural steelwork, architectural metalwork and industrial chimney systems. The company delivers fully integrated engineering solutions through commercial, industrial, defence and energy infrastructure projects, achieving an annual turnover of £10 million. James Engineering is investing in advanced digital design to become a UK leader in chimney and exhaust-flue systems.
About the Role
University of Derby’s College of Science and Engineering in partnership with James Engineering Ltd are offering an exciting career-development opportunity to manage and deliver a challenging strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. Based at James Engineering Ltd’s premises in Alfreton, Derbyshire, you will be employed by the University as a KTP Associate but work under the terms and conditions of the company.
In this role, you will lead the development of James Engineering Modelling Design (JEMD), an innovative software platform that integrates Eurocode-compliant design, advanced numerical modelling, and AI/ML-driven optimisation to transform the design of industrial chimneys and inlet reinforcement systems for both traditional and emerging clean-energy sectors.
Working closely with academic experts from the University of Derby, engineers at James Engineering, and specialist software developers, you will develop and apply advanced Finite Element Method (FEM) and data-driven optimisation techniques to establish a simulation-led design capability for industrial chimney systems. You will also develop and validate new design methodologies and formulae for chimney inlet reinforcement systems, addressing an area where current Eurocode guidance is limited and contributing to potential future enhancements to BS EN 1993-3-2.
Using your knowledge and skills to support the business and achieve specific project aims, you will receive on-going support by a Supervisor at James Engineering Ltd, an Academic Supervisor and Academic Lead from the University of Derby to help you deliver. A personal training and development budget will also be available for you to access, as well as receiving access to the same training opportunities and facilities as University staff.
Anticipated interview date: w/c 26th October 2026
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
This full-time post is part-funded by the UK Government’s KTP programme. A KTP is a three-way project between a graduate, an organisation and a university. KTP is one of the UK’s largest graduate recruitment programmes and has been placing graduates on challenging, high profile projects for 50 years. In addition to a competitive salary and core KTP development training, you will have a dedicated budget of £3,500 further training and career development. To find out more about the scheme visit: ktp-uk.org/graduates
Please note by completing an application form for this role, you are giving your consent for us to share your personal data with the KTP partner.
About You
We're looking for a talented, driven engineering graduate with an MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Structural, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or a related discipline, and demonstrable experience in structural analysis, design and Finite Element Method (FEM) modelling. You'll bring practical numerical simulation and coding experience in Python, MATLAB or an equivalent language, a working understanding of Eurocode-based structural design, and experience managing multi-stage technical workflows and delivering structured technical outputs such as reports and calculation records.
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You'll have strong, evidence-based problem-solving ability and the confidence to communicate technical findings clearly to both academic and industrial audiences. A collaborative mindset, willingness to learn new software and standards quickly, and the initiative to lead elements of technical delivery across academic and industrial teams are essential.
Desirable experience includes optimisation techniques such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML). Experience with Finite Element Method (FEM) and/or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software (e.g. ANSYS, Abaqus, MSC Software, or equivalent open-source tools), as well as knowledge of wind engineering and vortex-shedding analysis, would be advantageous. Previous experience of working with, or collaborating closely with, industrial partners or SMEs is also highly desirable.
Benefits
Whilst you will be employed by University of Derby, your terms and conditions will be that of James Engineering Ltd.
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Van Bac Nguyen, Associate Professor of Structural Engineering, via VB.Nguyen@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University. The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI:
- Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
- You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
- You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
- You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
You must also meet the English Language requirement. Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage. For more information, visit our website.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern. Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.
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