KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ASSOCIATE

Job Number SU01674 | Fixed Term | Full Time

About the Role

Are you an ambitious graduate, looking to accelerate your career through a unique blend of academic research, industrial innovation, and professional development? Swansea University and KURK Ltd are seeking a highly motivated KTP Associate to lead an exciting 24-month Innovate UK-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership. This strategic collaboration will develop and transfer advanced in vitro bioscience and analytical capabilities to support the next generation of evidence-based nutraceutical products.

Working within Swansea University's Faculty of Medicine while spending substantial time embedded within KURK's team in Twickenham, you will play a pivotal role in establishing cutting-edge assays to evaluate bioavailability, absorption and anti-inflammatory efficacy of novel curcumin formulations. The project spans cell biology, analytical chemistry, delivery formulation and product innovation, providing the successful candidate with exceptional exposure to both world-class research and commercial R&D.

The role offers the opportunity to develop expertise in areas including cell culture, Caco-2 permeability models, LC-MS analysis, formulation and nutraceutical characterisation, in vitro digestion models and inflammation biology. You will work closely with academic and industrial leaders to generate publishable science, create intellectual property, and translate research findings into commercially valuable products and claims.

As a KTP Associate, you will also benefit from a dedicated Innovate UK-funded personal development budget, providing access to specialist technical training, professional certifications, project management qualifications, leadership development and networking opportunities. KTPs are widely recognised as one of the UK's premier early-career development programmes, offering unparalleled experience at the interface of academia, industry and innovation.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a talented scientist who is eager to make a real-world impact while building a highly competitive research and innovation career. The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate an ability to work in 2 different sites and travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 24-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership project to develop and transfer advanced in vitro bioscience and analytical capabilities.
• Establish cutting-edge assays to evaluate bioavailability, absorption, and anti-inflammatory efficacy of novel curcumin formulations.
• Work across cell biology, analytical chemistry, delivery formulation, and product innovation.
• Generate publishable science and create intellectual property.
• Translate research findings into commercially valuable products and claims.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial leaders at Swansea University and KURK Ltd.
• Utilize a dedicated personal development budget for technical training, certifications, and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Ambitious graduate with a strong interest in academic research and industrial innovation.
• Ability to work at two different sites (Swansea University and KURK Ltd in Twickenham) and travel as required.

Skills

• Cell culture and Caco-2 permeability models.
• LC-MS analysis and formulation.
• Nutraceutical characterisation and in vitro digestion models.
• Inflammation biology.
• Project management and leadership development.

Pay

£34,132 to £38,249 per annum

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1-hour course.