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print friendly pageJob Opportunities within the SBAC Aerospace and Defence KTN
The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has been chosen by the Technology Strategy Board to establish an Aerospace and Defence Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). The KTN will help promote innovation and collaboration across industry, Government and academia, helping to improve industrial performance and implement the National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS).
SBAC wishes to recruit two new Project Managers, and one new Project Co-ordinator to work in the Aerospace & Defence KTN.
Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) are national networks of technical experts and other interested parties, designed to improve the UK
SBAC is a fast growing trade association which, with its regional partners, represents over 2500 companies supplying civil air transport, aerospace defence, homeland security and space products and services. It works closely with Government including, the Department for Business,
On the international front, SBAC is a member of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the postholders will need to work closely with industry to influence the ASD agenda for the benefit of the
Ideally, the successful candidates will have a number of the following attributes:
- Broad experience within the aerospace sector
- Strong communication and management skills
- A degree or equivalent qualification - not applicable for the Project Co-ordinator
- Strong analytical, presentational and written skills
- Ability to produce and project manage the delivery of key industry initiatives
- Highly motivated team player with the ability to deliver original and creative approaches to issues affecting member companies
- Sound political judgment and diplomacy skills
The priorities for the new Aerospace and Defence KTN will include:
- To deliver improved industrial performance through innovation and new collaboration maximising the impact of new research and technology and better co-ordination of resources for the delivery of the NATS.
- To make the UK a more globally competitive environment for investment in aerospace and defence research and technology.
- To facilitate innovation and knowledge transfer across the civil and defence sectors and closer collaboration between academia, industry and the Ministry of Defence.
- To improve coherency and effectiveness of industry in science, technology and innovation towards Government supported by more rigorous analysis and technology road-mapping.
Those interested should e-mail their CVs to
KTN Project Manager - Operations
- Project Manager - Operations - which includes the core work :
- Facilitation of the generation of a comprehensive set of technology roadmaps, created and owned by the National Technical Committees (NTCs)
- Assisting members directly by notifying them of relevant funding calls, offering to help find partners, offering critical review of proposals (though not proposal writing), offering to host gatherings that might lead to collaborations around emerging topics in the UK, Europe and internationally.
- Promotion of routes to funding the transfer of knowledge through the movement of people e.g. secondments, KTPs, support of studentships with universities collaborating with companies etc
- Written content disseminated using a variety of routes e.g. reports on academic expertise in particular areas, roadmaps, reports on needs of the sector, studies of emerging technologies of relevance and likely to have a future large impact, technology briefs, report back on missions etc
- Management of the Aerospace & Defence National Technical Committees (A&D NTCs).
- Management, in conjunction with industry, of the National Aerospace Technology Strategy sub-groups, eg Commercial Task Force, Project Task Force
KTN Project Manager - Infrastructure
- Project Manager : Infrastructure - which includes the website and IT activities, and specific activities designed to promote the activity of the KTN :
- monthly electronic newsletters/alerts to keep members updated on major developments and opportunities
- A&D KTN Events - ranging in size from around 20 people to >100 people, to encourage networking to foster collaboration, both business to business and business to academic. Events focus to range from technology themes through general showcasing/annual events, challenge themes e.g. EFT Innovation Platform, through special issue events e.g. maximising co-operation between civil & defence technology programmes.
- Events and workshops co-hosted with other partners e.g. other KTNs/networks, RDAs, MOD, Research Councils etc
- Online events and discussions - e.g. getting a key person to address members online; hosting debates online.
- Visits to organisations (academic, company and others) to understand specific issues to facilitate improved target support and to allow the creation of a more comprehensive picture across the community on what their issues are and where intervention may be required.
- A newsletter (quarterly) to deliver stories, news, examples of KTN success and to create a greater sense of community;
- Case studies of how others have benefited to make it easier for members to see the benefit of joining.
- A comprehensive capability directory to allow members to profile themselves more widely.
- monthly electronic newsletters/alerts to keep members updated on major developments and opportunities
KTN Project Coordinator
- Project Co-ordinator : KTN - which includes supporting all the work packages with administration expertise, including
- KTN Events
- Organising visits
- Membership support