Data and Generative AI Scientist - KTP Associate

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project will revolutionise the user/customer experience in the financial sector by the development of an “Intelligent Service Platform (ISP)”, a conversational query tool, based on a private Large Language Model (LLM), which will leverage Generative AI to allow an agent or borrower to answer queries relating to an account in plain language.

Phoebus Software is an independent software house founded in 1989 and a leading provider of real-time loan and savings management systems for retail banks, building societies, lending businesses and third-party services across the UK and Ireland.

The KTP will boost Phoebus’ client offering, with improved ease and speed to access data and information within the complex loan and savings platform and associated database. Accuracy is a key aspect as the ISP will query only the data in the system.

This KTP is a great opportunity for someone who wishes to plan and deliver business change. You will work with senior University academics on a commercial project which puts theory and modelling into practice.

Candidate Profile: Minimum Masters’ level degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Data Analytics with relevant practical / work experience in the field. A PhD would be desirable.

Skills/ experience required include:

Essential

Robust knowledge and demonstrable project experience in data science, predictive analytics, and Generative AI (GenAI)Natural Language Processing (NLP)Strong database skills - able to understand existing databases and data structures which will form the basis of the ISP, and be able to structure the new database, likely to be a vector databaseExcellent communication skills at all levels including the ability to train staff and work with diverse user groups across academia and industryStrong time management skillsProven ability to solve large complex problemsBasic understanding of GDPR requirements and constraintsBasic understanding of the commercial and technical constraints which come with working in a heavily regulated industry

Experience in the following would be desirable:

Experience in a research or commercial environment in a similar sector or application domainDelivery of user-centric GUIs and excellent User ExperienceAutomatic annotation of data assetsData classification and clusteringPrompt engineering for Generative AITraining Large Language Models (LLMs), such as GPT-4 and Llama 2Strong SQL query skillsProject managementProducing academic publications of the highest standardsTechnical writing and reportingProfessional experience in financial servicesExperience of commercial software development and deployment, including QA processes, deployment pipelines and automation

Main responsibilities: 

Elicit, capture and document user, technical and business requirements.Ensure required data is in appropriate structure.Manage commercial sensitivity and technical security so that only the permitted data/information is provided to a specific conversation.Identify, manage and eliminate LLM ‘hallucination’ to reach zero error rate from the LLM.Development of a great user experience.Implement effective Cyber Security and data protection controls.Recommend and manage access to appropriate computational power/data storage.Take account of Phoebus Software user requirements in terms of service quality, and the need to ensure accuracy and consistency in the delivery of the ISP.

 

Personal attributes:

Strong interpersonal skills.Strong communication and presentation skills. The ability to work within a cross-disciplinary project team.Leadership and maturity of communication and organisation skills to deliver the KTP project and ensure it achieves agreed milestones and objectives.Ability to work independently and use initiative.Strong desire to pursue innovative approaches and strategies.Ability to work closely with all stakeholders and establish an effective knowledge transfer process in the company.

Additional Benefits and support:

Up to £6,000 for personal and professional development for the duration of the projectAnnual leave (25 days p/a)Professional support and mentorshipMental Health and wellbeing support: https://www.aston.ac.uk/staff-public/hr/Benefits-and-Rewards/health-wellbeing 

Career prospects: 

60% of our KTP associates are being offered employment by the companies at the end of the KTP.

KTP’s are a proven springboard for Associates who wish to develop careers in consultancy, change management, operations or as University academics.

This is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Phoebus Software and Innovate UK.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are collaborative, three-way partnerships creating positive impact and driving innovation by linking various businesses with the UK's world class knowledge bases to deliver innovation projects led by skilled graduates.

It is essential you understand how KTP works and the vital role you will play if you secure this position. To learn more please visit: www.aston.ac.uk/ktp

Aston University: You will work in a project team with Dr Philip Weber and Prof Abdul Sadka from Aston University and the Senior Management Team at Phoebus Software with further support of the IUK’s Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

Location: You will be working in a hybrid environment, with at least 2 days at Phoebus Software in Solihull. You will also have access to facilities at Aston University in central Birmingham. Some travel to key clients may also be required.

For informal enquiries about this role please contact Dr Philip Weber, e-mail: p.weber1@aston.ac.uk 

If you think this isn’t the right opportunity for you, please explore other KTP vacancies across the country: https://www.ktp-uk.org/jobs/ 

Aston University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter http://www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charter-marks/athena-swan . We pride ourselves on our vibrant, friendly, supportive working environment and collaborative atmosphere.

Please visit our website https://jobs.aston.ac.uk/Vacancies.aspx for further information and to apply online.  

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

The salary being offered for this role is below the minimum threshold for required to sponsor new applicants to the Skilled Worker route. However, Aston University may be able to sponsor the successful candidate if they: 

•    Are under 26 years old

•    Hold a PhD that is relevant to the role

•    Have held a Student or Graduate visa in the last 2 years

•    Are already in the UK with a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa issued before April 4th 2024

Please contact hr_immigration@aston.ac.uk if you would like to discuss your eligibility for Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Closing Date: 27 Apr 2025

Unit: Teaching & Research

Salary: £45,000 per annum