Job Description

Job details

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Responsible to


Senior Lecturer in Advanced Manufacturing and dotted line responsibility to a Company Supervisor


Location


We Seal Ltd, Airedale House, Carlton Business Park, Leeds, LS19 7BD


Closing date


Monday 6 October 2025


Salary


40,000 to 45,000 per annum


Job grade


Researcher


Reference


0137-25


Contract type


Fixed term contract 17 months


Post type


Full-time


Adaptive working type


Onsite

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.



About the University
We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.



The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.



We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.



Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.


About the College/Department
Here at University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths: the STEM skills that are essential to the UK's Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.



Engineering at Derby has a bold vision to deliver an outstanding learning experience to our students, further develop and expand our research capacity and increase our industry engagement in the region and beyond to fulfil targets for Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Excellence Framework (KEF) as well as provide the best opportunities to our graduates. The discipline area is located in the University's STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.

About We Seal Ltd

We Seal Ltd is a rapidly developing business specialising in manufacturing bag sealing tapes and innovative sealing machines. We design, engineer, manage installations and maintenance of our equipment, providing end-to-end expertise. More information about We Seal Ltd can be found in the attached document.


About the role
University of Derby's College of Science & Engineering in partnership with We Seal Ltd are offering an exciting career-development opportunity to manage and deliver a challenging strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. Based at We Seal Ltd's premises in Leeds, you will be employed by the University as a KTP Associate but work under the terms and conditions of the company.



You will be responsible for the development and launch of a new and innovative manufacturing solution, allowing We Seal to accelerate its expansion into global markets. Using your knowledge and skills to support the business and achieve specific project aims, you will receive on-going support from a We Seal Ltd Supervisor, Academic Supervisor and Academic Lead from the University of Derby to Derby to help you deliver. A personal training and development budget will also be available for you to access, as well as receiving access to the same training opportunities and facilities as University staff.



This is a dynamic role that presents an opportunity for an ambitious candidate to play an influential role in supporting the design and launch of a new sealing machine that will enable the uptake of a significantly improved sustainable sealing solution, delivering environmental impact on a global scale beyond anything currently available on the market.

About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

This full-time post is part-funded by the UK Government's KTP programme. A KTP is a three-way project between a graduate, an organisation and a university. KTP is one of the UK's largest graduate recruitment programmes and has been placing graduates on challenging, high profile projects for almost 45 years. In addition to a competitive salary and core KTP development training, you will have a dedicated budget of 4,500 for further training and career development. To find out more about the scheme visit: ktp-uk.org/graduates

Anticipated interview date:

Wednesday 24th October 2025


About You
The ideal candidate will have expertise in lean and sustainable design, automation and control (including programming), and knowledge of the application of Internet of Things (IoT) in manufacturing. You will hold a good honours degree (achieving at least a 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Mechanical Engineering and have demonstrable experience with CAD design software, such as SolidWorks, alongside a sound understanding of engineering design techniques.



Strong awareness of project management methods to ensure successful delivery of the project, the ability to apply academic research and analysis, and experience in logic-based programming are essential. The role also requires pragmatic and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to think innovatively and respond effectively to challenges.


Principal accountabilities
To lead the development of the KTP project, including: The design, test and launch of a new and innovative manufacturing solution; and Implement a range of performance improvements and efficiency gains in how the machine is manufactured and maintained an adaptable information/performance evaluation system.

To work with the academic team to disseminate the outcome and research developed as part of the development process.

To work with We Seal Ltd and academic team to integrate the project into a business platform, for machine maintenance and continuous improvement, in support of the company's future plan.

To carry out work in a professional manner and engage in tasks and training as required by the We Seal Ltd, University of Derby, and Innovate UK.

Person specification###

Essential Criteria

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Qualifications

Good honours degree (achieving at least a 2:1 or equivalent) in a related subjectsuch as Mechanical Engineering
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Experience

Demonstrable experience of CAD design techniques and software such as SolidWorks Demonstrable experience in managing complex technical projects Experience of working with a range of stakeholders from diverse sectors and background
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Skills, knowledge & abilities

Ability to demonstrate logic-based computer programming Sound knowledge of engineering design techniques, including a high level of knowledge in lean and sustainable design Knowledge of automation and control including programming Demonstrable knowledge of materials and manufacturing optimisation techniques, such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) Knowledge of Internet of Things (IoT) application in manufacturing Innovative and ready to make an instant impact within the organisation Awareness of project management techniques to ensure the successful delivery of the project Highly organised, excellent time management and organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to work to strict deadlines Excellent communication skills including writing reports, making presentations and dealing with customers Exhibit research and analysis methods at an academic level Ability to work to deadlines Ability to work independently and as part of a team Willingness to engage and influence at all levels of an organisation Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of audiences Self-motivated, completer - finisher Be results focused with the ability to work through issues to resolve in a professional manner Ability to demonstrate pragmatic, and creative thinking where challenges occur Ability to communicate and collaborate consistently with colleagues
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Business Requirements

Willingness to work flexibly and be responsive to projects needs and partners expectations Willingness to travel between project sites across the UK and internationally Understanding of workplace values in line with We Seal Values
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Desirable Criteria

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Qualifications

Masters degree or PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent industrial experience
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Experience

Proven experience of using SolidWorks in a commercial setting Demonstrable experience of applying Lean and Sustainable Design Solutions Practical experience with DFMA.
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Skills, knowledge and abilities

Skills in PLC programming or programming in Java/equivalent Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment Benefits
Whilst you will be employed by University of Derby, your terms and conditions will be that of We Seal Ltd.



Being based at We Seal, you will also benefit from working in a very rewarding job in a family-owned business with a great culture. We Seal also offer 2 days per annum for volunteering work and the opportunity to enter the company's Charity Donation Contribution Scheme.


Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits


Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Todor Dobrev, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering via t.dobrev@derby.ac.uk


For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.


Important information####

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.



Please visit visit our website for more information.


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Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.



We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.



Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.



When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.



The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant's name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.



However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.



For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.





A university that celebrates you

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Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.





Environment and sustainability


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