Post Title: Analytic Systems Engineer (KTP Associate) KTP Associate with Black Pepper Software Ltd. School of Engineering & Applied Science

Transcription

1 FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE ROLE Post Title: Analytic Systems Engineer (KTP Associate) KTP Associate with Black Pepper Software Ltd School of Engineering & Applied Science Reference Number: R Closing date: 4 May 2012 Interview date: 21 st and 22 nd May Contents: Role description Job purpose & responsibilities Company information Person specification Outline terms and conditions of appointment Further advice, equal opportunities statement and data protection

2 POST TITLE Analytic Systems Engineer (KTP Associate) ROLE DESCRIPTION This 24-month project takes the form of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) ( which provides you with extensive practical and formal training and the availability of support from experienced mentors from Black Pepper Software Ltd, Aston University and the Technology Strategy Board. As a KTP Associate on this project you will have a generous personal development budget of 4000 in addition to a KTP Management Training Programme and the opportunity to complete a Masters in Research at Aston. Black Pepper Software Ltd has joined forces with Aston University on this KTP project to develop and embed data analytics based on multiple statistical models into BPS enabling the development of new products, revenue models and business sectors. You will work to the Project Plan developed by the project team for submission to the Technology Strategy Board for funding. Further details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed below. JOB PURPOSE As a KTP associate on this project you will be responsible for transferring knowledge of sophisticated mathematical-modelling and data-mining into a small software development company. RESPONSIBILITIES Main Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Analyse Black Pepper Software Ltd. s technical capabilities, market and the analytic needs of their clients. 2. Learn about the commercial history and prospects for Companion and run user story workshops to identify key aspects of the customer needs for the enhanced product. Undertake and complete a market analysis and project scope to present to BPS Staff. 3. Involving BPS and potential users, specify a requirements analysis to produce a requirements specification for Companion-Plus product. 4. Identify data sources and criteria to support analytics, e.g. volume, polling intervals etc. and agree a detailed data specification. Undertake data exploration and cleaning. 5. Develop machine-learning tool prototypes (in Matlab) to support the analysis of BPS data. Software development will use the pair-programming methodology: the Associate will be paired with a member of the BPS development team. 6. Iterate CRISP-DM data-mining process, extract relevant features, refine, improve and evaluate models. Page 1 of 5

3 7. Develop an analytical software library resulting in commercial quality Java Software; Companion-Plus new product with final version launched Month 15. An agile development process will be used involving formulation of user stories, test-driven development, serverside development, client evaluation in a beta-test program, and documentation. 8. Build and evaluate data models that predict exhibition visitor behaviour (using time-series models) and segment customer information (using mixture models). All models will be evaluated using statistical tests on independent test data. 9. Develop result presentation methods using data visualisation algorithm: prototype software will be developed in Matlab. 10. Agile development of a software library that integrates the novel modelling processes in the Companion platform and that can also be applied to new software products and market sectors resulting in commercial quality Java Software for visualising BPS data, Companion- Plus-PM second new product final version launched month Integration of modelling and visualisation tool in Companion, embedding, staff training and enabling of future exploitation. This will result in new capability being embedded in BPS and a forward exploitation plan presented to the Board. BPS s standard paired-programming approach will ensure close collaboration with the Associate, regular technology-transfer workshops for BPS developers will be delivered to advise on integration of algorithms with existing software. THE COMPANY Black Pepper Software (BPS) is a leading agile IT consultancy. The core business has been the development and supply of bespoke software to blue-chip companies such as TUI Holidays and LMAX stock exchange. BPS has developed a new product, Companion software, which can be used in exhibitions and shopping malls to gather visitor data (location, movements, and transactions) through a smartphone app. Companion is a location-aware mobile application platform that utilises the functionality available in smart phones to deliver advanced mapping and routing services, easy to use content management and social networking channels. This enables event organisers to view visitor movements, clients at individual stands to monitor visitor behavior, and enhances the visitor experience by providing timely targeted information to them. Further information on the company is available on the website Page 2 of 5

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION MOA = Method of assessment Application Form (AF) Interview (I) Presentation (P) ESSENTIAL Education/Qualifications Minimum 2:1 BSc (Hons) in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics based subject, preferably involving both mathematics and computing. Experience Statistical data modelling or data mining; programming in an appropriate language (Matlab or Java preferred) Object-oriented software design skills MOA AF Aptitudes and Skills Other Excellent inter-personal skills to work with BPS staff, collaborators and their clients. A positive attitude, confident and self- motivated. Capable of working on own initiative as well as within a team Able to articulate ideas and correctly interpret user requirements Excellent communication and presentation skills. Ability to work autonomously to agreed targets and goals. Ability to balance technical issues with commercial constraints and ability to demonstrate abstractthinking skills. I DESIRABLE MOA Experience Presentation of complex analyses to users. Page 3 of 5

5 OUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE APPOINTMENT Term of appointment: Holiday entitlement: Pension: Performance related pay: Qualifications: This is a fixed term appointment for 24 months. The salary will be fixed at 24,000 per annum: exceptional candidates may be eligible for an enhanced salary. The post will not be eligible for a cost of living rise or incremental progression. 30 days per annum in addition to up to 13 days on specified bank holidays and public holidays. The KTP organisation may determine when these public/university days are taken in order to meet their business requirements. Eligible staff are offered a defined benefit pension with the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). In addition to the basic salary, the University operates a PRP scheme. Awards are determined on an annual basis. Successful candidates will be required to produce evidence of their qualifications upon joining the University. Relocation: Medical examination: Eligibility to work in the UK: Document checks: Newly-appointed staff are required to establish their homes within reasonable daily travelling distance to and from their place of work. The University operates a relocation scheme to assist newlyappointed staff in meeting this requirement. Full details of the relocation scheme are included with offers of appointment. It is a condition of appointment that newly-appointed staff receive medical clearance from the University s Health Centre. Candidates who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, or of another EEA member country, should ensure that they meet the requirements of one of the 5 tiers of the immigration points based system. Candidates should check their eligibility to enter or remain in the UK in advance of making any job application using the points-based calculator on the UK Border & Immigration Agency (UKBA) website. If you do not meet the minimum points requirement, you will not be able to work in the UK and any application for employment would be unsuccessful. As a result of the implementation of sections 15 to 26 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality 2006 Act on 29 February 2008, the University requires all prospective and, in some cases, current employees, to provide documentation to verify their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information about these requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website. Page 4 of 5

6 FURTHER ADVICE Please contact Professor Ian Nabney, for an informal discussion about the post. Tel: +44(0) The selection process will take place over two days. The first day will be held at the offices of Black Pepper Software and will consist of a task related to the post followed by a presentation of your solution to BPS staff. If successful at this stage, candidates will be invited to interview on the following day at Aston University. If you would like information on the progress of your application, or advice on any aspect of the appointment process generally, or the terms and conditions of service, please do not hesitate to contact: Claire Freeman HR Advisor +44 (0) c.e.freeman@aston.ac.uk Nadine Ataya HR Administrator +44 (0) n.f.ataya1@aston.ac.uk EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT Aston University undertakes to promote equality and diversity within the University Community in all aspects of its work. Further, it aims to ensure through its admissions policies for students and its recruitment and selection processes for staff that it encourages applications from all groups represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level. The University will endeavour not to discriminate unfairly or illegally, directly or indirectly, against students or potential students, staff or potential staff. This commitment applies to all functions of the University and to any stage of an individual s career at Aston. For further details of policies and codes of practice on race, gender, disability, religion and belief, sexual orientation and age see: An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is included with the application form. DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 Your application will only be used to inform the selection process, unless you are successful, in which case it will form the basis of your personal record with the University which may be stored in manual and/or electronic files. Information in statistical form on present and former employees is given to appropriate outside bodies. Data you provide on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be included in a general database, for statistical monitoring purposes enabling the University to monitor the effectiveness of its Policy, Code of Practice and Guidelines on Equal Opportunities in Employment. Individuals will not be identified by name. Page 5 of 5