Applications are invited for a full-time 24-month postdoctoral KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) Associate post, in collaboration between Aforce London Ltd. and Imperial College London.
Aforce London Ltd. manufactures high-quality leather components and finished goods for the automotive, fashion, aviation, and home design sectors and aims at becoming a leader in sustainable leather materials innovation.
The KTP Associate is expected to work both at Aforce London Ltd. premises and at Imperial College London South Kensington Campus.”
The core mission of this KTP project is to develop a novel recycling process that transforms high-quality leather offcuts, from the automotive and aviation industries, into sustainable thermal insulation boards, reducing landfill waste and supporting the circular economy.
The role is unique as spans materials upcycling, digital simulation, physical prototyping, manufacturing, market and IP analysis, and knowledge embedding within the business.
The KTP associate will:
- Lead all leather materials design, modelling (. thermal) and chacterisation (. mechanical, thermal) modelling activities.
- Manufacture and test new insulation board prototypes.
- Conduct life cycle analysis (LCA).
- Support certification (., BBA approval).
- Support commercialisation.
Research Associate: Hold a PhD in materials science and engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience.
Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.
- Expertise in design, modelling, manufacture and characterisation of natural/synthetic polymeric materials, preferably leather.
- Creative problem-solving skills and ability to work independently
- Willingness to travel and work both based at the company (Aforce London Ltd) and Imperial College London.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.
- Shape the development of a sustainable thermal insulation board from upcycled leather waste.
- Enjoy an accelerated technical and professional development pathway with dual academic and industry mentorship.
- Gain first-hand experience in every stage of the R&D-to-market pipeline—from simulation to customer engagement and commercial roll-out.