Job profile

KTP

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a unique UK-wide activity that help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity by making better use of the knowledge, technology and skills within universities, colleges and research organisations. Further information is available at: www.ktponline.org.uk

THE PROJECT

About Pole Star:

As the leader in maritime intelligence, Pole Star empowers better decision-making and protects clients’ business interests, assets, seafarers, vessels, cargo, infrastructure, investments, profitability, and reputation - through provision of high-performance, cyber-secure solutions underpinned by immense service and constant technological innovation.

We have offices in London, USA, Singapore, Hong Kong and Panama, alongside presence in Australia. Teams are made up of over 19 nationalities, speaking 25 different languages. Quality at Pole Star is at the heart of everything we do. We are a team of motivated and driven quality professionals and work with diverse programmes for Shipping businesses, Financial Markets and Governments.

The Opportunity:

The University of Essex in partnership with Pole Star Space Applications Limited offers an exciting opportunity to a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to use data science methods to develop an online real-time forecasting algorithm for the location of vessels for a maritime technology company.

You will be working with dynamic and Innovative engineering & data teams, applying your data science & ML/AI knowledge to upskill our technical teams, accelerate their learning and help Pole Star Global build a product which is truly the first of its kind.

The challenge of detecting and forecasting the location of any vessel has not yet been solved by our industry. This project will have an invaluable impact to the global environment by being able to identify those vessels that engage in unlawful and non-ethical activities.

This post is fixed term for 33 months and is based at Pole Star Space Applications Limited offices in London, from which you will have the opportunity to work with both domestic and international teams. We have a hybrid working set up so your time can be split between our new offices in Shepherds Bush and working from home.

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post will include:

• Apply the latest machine learning and artificial intelligent methods to vessel trajectory prediction and ship detection.
• Use the latest predictive models and data imputation methods to deal with a wide range of missing data, such as interpolation and optimisation approaches.
• Create accurate vessel prediction algorithms using statistical modelling and analysis, and leading their training and testing.
• Work with our team of Software Engineers and Software Architects to successfully integrate a range of different data sources into a single platform, as well as the developed algorithms.
• Communicate high level technical concepts to non-specialists when giving presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Effectively manage the project.
• Supervise MSc students and later in the project, the Data Team.
• Work collegiately across the UK and US technical teams.
• Effectively document and hand over approaches, techniques, and models to our Data and Software teams.
• Present the project outputs in workshops or conferences, if required.
• Write up manuscripts which are suitable for academic publications

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• A first degree in Data Science and Analytics, Statistics, Mathematics, or similar disciplines.
• A higher degree (ideally a PhD) in Data Science, Optimisation, Data Analytics, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence (or similar), or equivalent industry experience.
• Good theoretical and applied knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligent methods (i.e. K-means clustering, convolutional neural networks, support-vector machines, and long short-term memory neural networks).
• Knowledge of predictive models and data imputation methods (i.e. interpolation and optimisation approaches).
• Experience of creating algorithms and leading their training and testing.
• Essential programming skills in R, Python, or other relevant programming languages.
• Good knowledge in statistical modelling
• An excellent communicator, who can explain complex technical concepts to non-specialists.
• A team player who can also take initiative and work unsupervised.
• Experience of project management, the ability to manage multiple deadlines and the priorities of a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication skills.

BENEFITS

As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:

• A personal development budget of £5500 (exclusive of salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser.
• An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project.
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.
• Hybrid working policy, time in office/from home is to be agreed with your manager.

LOCATION

Pole Star Space Applications Limited

C/O Rayner Essex LLP

Tavistock House South

Tavistock Square

London

WC1H 9LG

Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application.  Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk

*More information: Working at the University