Faculty of Science & Technology
Job Description
Company:
Ultravision CLPL
Job Title:
Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate
Grade:
The commencing salary will be £18,000 - £20,000 pa
depending on experience.
Work Base:
Cambridge. Please note that the post-holder will be required
to travel to Leighton Buzzard as necessary.
Hours of Work:
Full Time, 37 hours per week
Responsible to:
Academic Supervisor – David Austin/ Company Supervisor
John Clamp
Responsible for:
N/A
Relationships and Contacts:
Ultravision CLPL, Anglia Ruskin University and Momenta Ltd
Job Purpose:
Develop the ability to enhance vision performance of contact
lenses by transferring optical and analytical expertise into the
Company to enhance sales and licensing revenues.
Principal Accountabilities
1. Review existing Company R&D capability and related quality systems.
2. Establish the current status of aberration -controlled contact lenses.
3. Undertake clinical assessments to obtain knowledge and planning capability.
4. Gain further understanding of optical design and enhanced vision contact lenses.
5. Create predictive design models based on the acquired biometric data.
6. Interface design models with the company’s advanced manufacturing facilities for contact
lens design.
7. Create technical material for dissemination to clinical practitioners to inform them of
benefits of the novel design contact lens range.
8. Suitable presentation of the novel technical material to the company’s marketing team.
9. Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required,
commensurate with your grade.
This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is normal practice to review
periodically job descriptions to ensure that they are relevant to the job currently being performed,
and to incorporate any changes, which have occurred or are being proposed. The review process
is carried out jointly by manager and employee and you are therefore expected to participate fully
in such discussions. In all cases, it is our aim to reach agreement to reasonable changes, but
where it is not possible to reach agreement we reserve the right to make reasonable changes to
your job description which are commensurate with your grade after consultation with you.
May 2007
Introduction
Anglia Ruskin University in conjunction with Ultravision CLPL is seeking to employ a recent
graduate as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate. The associate will be involved in
developing the ability to enhance vision performance of contact lenses by transferring optical and
analytical expertise into the Company to enhance sales and licensing revenues. The associate will
be a university employee but will be based the majority of the time in Cambridge and will be
expected to travel to the manufacturing plant at Leighton Buzzard.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
The project is part of the DTI’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), which aims to strengthen
the competitiveness and wealth creation of the UK by the stimulation of innovation in industry
through partnerships between universities and industry.
It seeks to; facilitate the transfer of technology, encourage industrial investment in research and
development, provide industry-based training for graduates and stimulate collaborative research
between universities and business.
The person appointed will have both an industrial and an academic supervisor to support and
advise them throughout the project. The associate will have the opportunity to register for a higher
degree qualification and the experience gained from the project should make a substantial
contribution towards Chartered membership of a professional body. The associate will be given a
six to eight-week programme of personal development and training to cover their needs over the
programme life and will be expected to complete NVQ4 in Management by assessment of their
day-to-day activities.
The Company

The manufacturer of high quality bespoke contact lenses to an individual patient’s
prescription generating sales revenue of £0.9 million UK and £0.8 million abroad (mainly
Europe)

The resale of mass produced contact lenses from other manufacturing groups generating
sales revenue of £0.3 million UK and £0.4 million abroad
The Associate
The associate will be working in a company, which employs 62 personnel.
Ideally you will have an upper second or first class degree in BSc Optometry and MCOptom. The
ideal applicant will be registered with the General Optical Council, highly motivated and be willing
to become involved in all aspects of Optometry.
Both the company and our University will provide guidance and supervision. The associate will be
expected to work to strict time schedules and targets.
The associate will have the opportunity to register for a higher degree at our University. In
addition, production of academic papers based on the work of the project will be encouraged as
agreed by our university and the company. The attendance on training courses or our modules in
furtherance of knowledge and understanding is available.
It is anticipated (though not guaranteed) that following the project the associate will be offered a
position with the company as an Optometry Research Associate. The associate will become a key
member of the company in developing new products to meet new market trends.
Faculty of Science and Technology
Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS


BSc Hons Optometry
Registered with the General Optical Council


First or upper second class honours
degree
MCOptom

Highly competent in contact lens practice

Experience of producing predictive
design models

Excellent communication skills (verbal
and written), numeric and working with
others
Degree of self-confidence and self
motivation
Team working skills
Project Management skills
EXPERIENCE

Substantial relevant experience in optometric
practice
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
 Computer skills: Microsoft Office applications
 Good communication skills, numeracy and
literacy
PERSONAL QUALITIES/
DISPOSITION






Good communication skills, (verbal and
written), numeracy and working with others
Ability to work at all levels in an organisation
High degree of self confidence and self
motivation
Work to strict time schedules / targets
Ability to act independently and within the
confines of a small team
Able to work as a key individual in a team
OTHER
 Willingness and ability to travel between sites




Desire to attain post graduate
qualification and/or higher membership of
a professional body
http://www.ktponline.org.uk
Knowledge Transfer Partnership Opportunities for Graduates
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a Government scheme to support partnerships between
industry or commerce and universities and at the same time to employ high calibre graduates in
industry. Each programme extends over a period of between 18 months and three years, with a
typical programme length of two years for each graduate and its aim is to complete a project that is
strategically important to the company’s future.
Associate (Graduate) Involvement
Associate
Knowledge Transfer Partnership graduates are referred to as Associates, they are offered first
class career development, which typically includes:  Around two year’s industrial/commercial experience
 the acquisition of technical and business skills through practical and formal training
 good salary (better than post graduate research grant).
 smooth transition from academic to industrial life.
 the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to business improvement
 an opportunity to gain a higher academic qualification
 the possibility of a permanent post with the company
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships provide an exciting opportunity for well-qualified, high calibre
graduates to get on the fast track to a managerial career with a good salary in a very wide range of
industries. Each programme is designed to address a strategic developmental problem within a
company. Planned outcomes and deliverables are built into the project so that progress and
success are easily measured.
An associate receives comprehensive training comprising:
 modular training package with separate budget for personal development or skills training
 postgraduate registration with our University
A high percentage of Associates are offered permanent positions in the company after the
programme has finished. Vacancies for associates occur throughout the year, not just at
graduation time. For further information on the scheme and current vacancies try the following:
The Associates are employed at a competitive salary, by our University, for the duration of the
programme, and are encouraged to register for a higher degree (usually a MPhil or PhD).
Associates are based at the partnership company premises.
As an employee, the Associate can benefit from a fee waiver and, on registration as a postgraduate student, can benefit from our post-graduate training programme, which is aimed at
successful completion of a higher degree
Faculty of Science & Technology
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Associate
Conditions of Service
The terms and conditions of employment are the responsibility of the Board of Governors.
These details are for broad information only and must not be taken as a complete or authoritative
statement. In no way do they constitute a contract of employment.
(a)
Salary
Circa £18-20k per annum paid monthly in arrears by credit transfer. Commencing salary will
be determined according to qualifications and experience.
(b)
Hours and Time of Duty
The normal hours of work are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday) at times as agreed
with the Head of Department. If the nature of the work so requires, the jobholder may from
time to time be required to attend meetings or do other work outside normal hours.
Remuneration for overtime may be payable.
(c)
Holiday
The holiday year runs from 1 September to 31 August. In addition to the Statutory
Bank Holidays, local discretionary holidays, and days when we are closed in the interests of
efficiency, annual holiday entitlement will be 24 days. If employment commences part way
through the holiday year, entitlement will accrue on a pro rata basis for each complete
calendar month. Holiday entitlements for part-time staff will be calculated according to the
number of days and/or hours worked.
(d)
Medical
Unless otherwise stated, the appointment will be subject to medical clearance.
(e)
Pension
The jobholder will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
(f)
Normal Retirement Age
We operate a retirement age of 65.
(g)
Probationary Period
The first 6 months of the appointment will be a probationary period during which your
suitability for the position to which you have been appointed will be assessed. We reserve
the right to extend your probationary period if, in its opinion, circumstances so require.
(h)
Date of Appointment
The position is available immediately once all conditions have been met.
(i)
Closing date
The closing date for this job is the 13 June 2007 (12 noon).
(j)
Fixed Term Appointment
The position is available for two years from commencement of appointment
in the first instance.