University of Bath KTP Programme
James Fisher (Inspection and Measurement) Ltd
The Company
James Fisher (Inspection and Measurement) Ltd is an established supplier of
specialist engineering, manufacturing and technical services for applications
within challenging environments or high integrity requirements. The company
serves a broad range of industries including aerospace, automotive, chemical
process industries, oil and gas, water and power generation. They offer
services such as component testing and plant inspection either in-house or at
customers’ premises.
JFIM covers the full spectrum of conventional non-destructive testing
inspections and many specialist techniques.
Partnership rationale
This two year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between James Fisher
Nuclear Ltd and the department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the
University of Bath is to develop an automated pipeline inspection solution for
metallic pipes, using electromagnetic tomography (EMT) techniques. This will
allow rapid inspection of pipes and a low cost alternative to current x-ray
methods.
Partnership objectives
JFIM has historical know-how and strengths in radiography with photographic
film. The use of film radiography is under threat from two main areas: a)
digital technology for photography has removed the demand for photographic
film, whilst silver prices have escalated, greatly increasing the costs of X-ray
film; b) increasingly stringent regulations and restrictions on the use of
radiography sources has driven site NDT away from site radiography.
In response to this the company has led the introduction of digital radiography
for the final inspection of aerospace components in Europe and has expanded
its capability in non-radiographic site inspections. This KTP supports the
further development of site inspection technology and aims to deliver added
value by eliminating the requirement to remove and replace insulation
whenever an inspection is required.
Partnership management
The KTP project is delivered by an Associate and is managed through the
Local Management Committee (LMC). This is chaired by the senior company
executive and comprises the Company and Academic leaders/supervisors
and a KTP Advisor (Technology Strategy Board representative). The LMC
meets every four months and is responsible for programme direction,
ensuring that all parties gain maximum benefit and for authorising
expenditure.
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The Associate is expected to prepare an executive summary, to report on
progress for the LMC meeting and this must be circulated in advance to LMC
members. They are also expected to make a formal presentation on some
aspects of their work at this meeting.
A monthly progress meeting is held with the Company and Academic
Supervisors. The Associate is expected to arrange and document these
meetings. The Associate is required to maintain a log of the tangible benefits
of the project and to provide internal seminars for other members of University
and Company staff, based on knowledge acquired through attendance at
courses and conferences.
Associate profile
The successful candidate must have a 2.1 or above M.Eng honours degree in
Electronic and Electrical Engineering or an MSc with Distinction in any area of
Electronic and Electrical engineering with a subject specialism in
electromagnetics, sensor and instrumentation design, and experience in fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), microcontroller programming. Experience
of C or matlab programming to develop EMT imaging software would be
advantageous, as would previous experience industrial or research project
experience in non-destructive testing (NDT).
Additionally the Associate will need to demonstrate that they can:
lead and facilitate technical development,
work in both an experimental and practical environment;
work individually and collaboratively with the academic and company
partners;
understand the requirements of research and commercial
environments.
The Associate will also need excellent written and verbal communication skills
and the ability to manage and drive the project forward with minimum
supervision.
Associate’s expectation
The Associate will have the opportunity to pursue a higher degree as a
member of staff of the University. Bath provides an MPhil in Knowledge
Transfer specifically for KTP Associates, or another higher degree offered by
the department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering may be appropriate.
The Associate will be encouraged and supported to gain membership of a
relevant professional body (e.g. IET) to enable them to work towards
Chartered status. As part of their KTP programme they will participate in
general management training and additionally may undertake selected course
activities as well as general courses at the University as a member of staff.
Within the limits of commercial confidentiality, the Associate will have the
opportunity to deliver papers at conferences and will be expected to co-author
articles. They will also have the opportunity to gain undergraduate level
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teaching experience by co-supervising undergraduate dissertation students
and delivering selective seminars to students of Electronic and Electrical
Engineering.
On successful completion of the project it is likely that the Associate will be
offered a permanent position with the company. However, if due to
unforeseen circumstances this is not possible, the Associate will have
developed considerable experience of working with a fast growing industrial
company with multiple clients within a range of industries. They will gain
technical and scientific skills and develop design capabilities in
sensor/systems and electronics for harsh environments. They will also gain
skills in developing a commercial product from an early stage prototype.
Salary and conditions of employment
The salary is £24,000 – £26,000 pa depending on qualifications and
experience, although more may be available for an exceptional candidate.
The reward package includes a pension contribution and separate £4,000
personal training and development budget.
The Associate will be appointed by the University as a member of staff with
the department of Electronic and Electrical engineering, responsible to the
appointed academic supervisor. The contract of employment is for 24 months.
There is a probationary period of six months, during which time the contract
may be terminated by either side with one month’s notice. Thereafter, the
required notice period to be given by either side is three months. The
University requires a mid- probationary report after three months and a full
probationary report at six months.
In other respects the Associate will be treated as a company employee. Work
will mainly take place at the Company’s premises in Deeside, Flintshire.
However the project may require some periods of time to be spent at the
University. The conditions of work, including work hours and holiday
entitlement, will be those applying to Company employees. An appraisal is
carried out at six months with the Academic and Company Supervisors. This
is used to identify the Associate’s training requirements in relation to
programme tasks and their personal development plan. There will be a
further appraisal at eighteen months.
Whilst there is no commitment on the company to retain the Associate at the
end of the programme, it is expected that the Associate will be made aware of
future prospects at their eighteen month appraisal. KTP appointments cannot
normally be extended beyond the end of the project.
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