Job Description

Full-time (37.5 hours per week), Fixed Term for 26 months


Closing date: 23:59 Sunday 12th October 2025



This is a rare and exciting opportunity to steer a collaborative Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Reading and HawkinsBrown Architects; a globally recognised architecture and design practice centred in London.


The postholder will be employed by the University of Reading and working at HawkinsBrown (HB) offices in London (usually expected 3-4 days per week in the office).


This position forms part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) part funded by Innovate UK. It is essential you understand how KTP works with business and the University, and the vital role you will play.


It is a 26-month fixed term contract and provides an opportunity to work with a leading architecture firm to develop and deliver an AI Virtual Assistant (VA) that aids architects during architectural project development.


Apply your skills in data science, machine learning, generative AI and predictive analytics to develop the AI VA for architects during the ideation stage of architectural projects (RIBA Stage 2). This vital phase forms the project's foundational concepts and creative visions. It involves key activities including interpreting client requirements, gathering site information, and creating conceptual designs through sketches and models. You will also assess feasibility against technical, budgetary, and regulatory standards.

Skill development through training

There is a 4,333 dedicated training budget tailored towards your own personal development in addition to residential management skills training.

About HawkinsBrown

HawkinsBrown (HB) is a leading architectural practice based in London, Dublin, Manchester, and Edinburgh, with studios in LA and Toronto. HB is an Employee-Owned Trust employing over 275 architects, designers, researchers and administrators. HB is recognised as one of the UK's top 'design-led' architectural firms.


HB fosters a research-led culture, encouraging staff to challenge the status quo and explore alternative approaches. Projects address contemporary architectural issues, from the future of the workplace and modern construction methods to accessibility, retrofit, and the circular economy. HB's comprehensive skill set includes master planning, interior design, brief writing, and design-led programme writing. https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/

You will have:

1. An MSc in AI or a Computer Science-related discipline, or equivalent experience in related fields such as data science, computational design, or software engineering.


2. Demonstrable knowledge and skills in data science, machine learning (ML), and predictive analytics particularly in NLP.


3. Experience of writing technical and business reports and distilling / presenting key points to stakeholders.


4. Knowledge of data architecture, data cleansing and data lakes that enable training AI models with proprietary legacy databases.


5. Experience or knowledge in developing and deploying to production AI solutions based on open source GenAI, LLMs and RAGs models, utilising proprietary knowledge base for text.

Contact Name: Dr Fabio Goncalves de Oliveira

Contact Job Title: Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Contact Email address:

f.deoliveira@henley.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name: Dr Simon Cutler

Alternative Contact Job Title: Business Relationship Manager

Alternative Contact Email address:

s.b.cutler@reading.ac.uk

Interviews will be held: Friday 31st October 2025 online, via MS Teams



The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.