Research Associate – Data Scientist

We seek a graduate with a master’s degree or a doctoral degree (or equivalent) to lead a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of Kent and Apex Contractors that will strengthen company data foundations, implement a secure and monitored data layer, and deliver applied analytics and AI solutions to enhance operational performance, planning, quality, and commercial decision-making, with later extension to pricing optimisation.

As Research Associate – Data Scientist you can expect to be involved in:

The project will establish robust operational foundations, converting fragmented and early-stage information into reliable, timely insights via user-ready dashboards, prototypes and pilot deployments, to reduce manual effort and error. 

Key objectives include building secure data connections and automated refresh, producing a unified data warehouse, developing forecasting and risk-flag tools, and embedding capability through documented procedures, training and a signed handover to business.Major challenges include fragmented and variable-quality data, the need for clear acceptance criteria and evaluation on real work, and the requirement to introduce new digital practices in a live construction environment.

What will you bring to the role?

Master’s degree or Doctor of Philosophy in data science, computer science, statistics, artificial intelligence, or a related field or equivalentStrong programming in Python and Structured Query LanguageExperience of building and evaluating machine-learning models for structured business data using metrics such as mean absolute error, precision, and recallData engineering experience: design pipelines with scheduled refresh, logging, monitoring, and version control.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is one of Europe’s largest graduate recruitment programmes providing candidates with exciting opportunities to work on key strategic projects. KTP is a leading UK-wide programme that has successfully enabled businesses, for 50 years, to improve competitiveness and productivity. KTP projects are based on a partnership between a University and a company or organisation with a recently qualified graduate (the Associate) delivering the project with support from the academic team within the University.  For this KTP you will be working with the University of Kent experts in the project area. 

As the Associate, you will benefit from a generous training and personal development programme including the opportunity to gain a CMI or similar management qualification. You will also be encouraged to attain membership of a professional organisation and funding support, if appropriate, may be available towards study for a higher degree (MSc-by-Research or PhD).

More information about KTPs and the many benefits of being a KTP Associate can be found on the KTP website at www.gov.uk/guidance/knowledge-transfer-partnerships-what-they-are-and-how-to-apply

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process, please contact [email protected] quoting reference number SOC-013-25.

Closing Date: 11 Jan 2026

Section: Research

Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 per annum