AI Fleet Analytics & Engineering Associate (KTP Associate, Whitespace)

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) role, a collaboration between the University of Surrey and Whitespace Work Software, presents an exceptional opportunity for recent postgraduates eager to make a significant impact in the environmental services sector through AI. Whitespace, a leader in environmental and waste management software, is leveraging this KTP to propel its evolution into an AI-powered municipal waste management solutions provider for smart city local authorities.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Real-World Impact and Innovation: You will be at the forefront of developing a data-driven platform designed to optimize waste collection routes. This is a chance to directly apply your academic knowledge to solve real-world challenges and contribute to more efficient and sustainable urban environments.
• Accelerated Career Growth: This KTP is specifically designed to launch your career in industry. You will gain invaluable hands-on business experience, leading a high-impact project within a commercial setting.
• Comprehensive Support and Mentorship: You will be co-leading the development of this critical platform, working alongside a second KTP Associate. Crucially, you will receive dedicated mentorship from both experienced academic experts at the University of Surrey and industry leaders at Whitespace.
• Dedicated Personal Development: The role includes a generous budget and dedicated time for your professional development and training, allowing you to continuously expand your skill set.
• Future Career Prospects: Upon successful completion of the 24-month KTP project, there is a strong potential for a permanent role at Whitespace, offering long-term career stability.
• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technologies: The project involves working with advanced AI, machine learning, data pipelines, and potentially Generative AI tools, positioning you at the leading edge of technological advancements.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Academic Background: A postgraduate degree in Engineering (specifically Automotive and/or Energy), Data Science, or a closely related computational or quantitative discipline is essential.
• Technical Skillset: While the role offers significant learning opportunities, a foundational understanding and experience in areas such as:
  • Modelling vehicle dynamics, energy consumption, battery health, and emissions.
  • Data extraction and processing from diverse sources (telemetry, APIs, GIS, GPS, OpenStreetMap, Ordnance Survey).
  • Building and managing scalable data pipelines.
  • Designing database structures and developing secure API integrations.
  • Programming in languages like C# and Python.
  • Applying Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for data science challenges.
  will be highly advantageous. Experience with Vibe coding, GenAI, Business Intelligence tools (like Power BI), SQL (especially spatial databases), and cloud-based databases would be a strong plus.
• Business Acumen and Collaboration: The role requires strong project management skills, business acumen, the ability to map business processes, present insights effectively, and translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences. Thriving in a collaborative environment and demonstrating a passion for driving innovation are key personal attributes.
• Fixed-Term Contract: This is a 24-month fixed-term contract. While there is potential for a permanent position, candidates should be aware of the contract duration.

This KTP represents a unique chance to bridge the gap between academic research and industry application, fostering both personal and professional growth while contributing to a more intelligent and sustainable future for waste management.