KTP Associate; Safety Assurance of AI-based Energy Sector Applications

Role Description

DNV Services UK Limited and the University of York are collaborating through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project, and are recruiting a KTP associate. The partnership combines the University’s internationally recognised expertise in the assurance of autonomous and AI‑enabled systems, through the Centre for Assuring Autonomy (CfAA), with DNV’s industrial leadership in safety, risk management and independent assurance for the energy sector. 

The KTP associate will be based at DNV’s Digital Energy team in Glasgow, and will be provided the opportunity to conduct high-quality research that will have real tangible impact for the energy sector. Further, the KTP associate will have academic support from the CfAA, which will include on-site training for understanding, analysing, and assuring AI-enabled systems. The KTP associate will be granted £2k per annum funding for independent development, along with training opportunities delivered by the KTP scheme. A key aim of the KTP scheme is to train the KTP associate on becoming future business leaders, and to be confident with their career goals when the project concludes. Candidates must pass necessary security checks for access to the Spadeadam site. 

Role

The overarching aim of the KTP is to address a key barrier to the adoption of artificial intelligence in safety‑critical energy applications: the lack of trusted, structured and regulator‑ready safety cases for non‑deterministic AI systems. The key responsibilities of the project and KTP associate are:

• Review the cutting-edge AI technologies currently being developed and/or deployed within the energy sector

• Engage actively with various teams within DNV to gain an understanding of DNV’s current practices, and the impact AI technologies will bring  to existing processes

• Lead on the development of existing methodologies for the safe life-cycle of AI components, such as AMLAS, and the refinement required  for the  energy sector

• Apply the acquired knowledge, and newly developed techniques for assuring AI technologies on a real-world application of a safety critical energy system.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• The post holder should have demonstrable experience of conducting research; this can be in the form of a PhD (or close to completion), a Masters degree, or equivalent industrial experience.

• Have an understanding of AI technologies or systems safety

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, for disseminating research outcomes to all parties involved in the KTP  

• Can conduct work both independently and collaboratively, especially in a multidisciplinary environment

• Be committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: please contact Simon Burton on simon.burton@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.