Description ABOUT THE ROLE Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will lead the delivery of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between Northumbria University and Tridonic UK. This project focuses on designing, testing, and implementing advanced power electronics solutions for a novel PV-powered outdoor lighting system. Key responsibilities include: Developing and optimising advanced control algorithms for energy efficiency. Designing advanced battery health monitoring techniques. Collaborating with the Tridonic team to embed innovative solutions and facilitate knowledge transfer. Reporting progress to academic and industrial stakeholders and presenting findings to diverse audiences. This is a fixed-term role based primarily at Tridonic UK Ltd, Spennymoor, with the role expected to end on 31.03.2027. This research project is a collaboration between Northumbria University and Tridonic UK, combining academic excellence with industry expertise. The team includes Steve Parkes and Ian Wilson, Senior Project Director and Technical Manager at Tridonic, the experienced experts in electronics design and innovation, supported by Alekssander Santiago, System Architect specializing in hardware design and Ben Stainthorpe, specialising in power electronics. From Northumbria University, Dr Haimeng Wu who is the head of the electrical power and control system research group, an expert in power electronics and control algorithms, supported by Dr Yuchao Liu, specialising in high-efficiency power converters, and Dr Yongtao Qu, an expert in photovoltaic systems. Together, they ensure cutting-edge research and practical implementation for the success of the project. ABOUT YOU Applicants should hold an MEng/MSc in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or a related field (PhD desirable) and demonstrate expertise in: Circuit theory, power electronics, and control systems. Using simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink. Assembling, soldering, and testing PCBs. Designing and interpreting electronic circuit schematics. Desirable skills include programming embedded systems, defining PCB design guidelines, and knowledge of battery and solar panel technologies. This KTP project will develop methods for the design, construction and test of power dc/dc converters for outdoor LED lighting system. Development of advanced control techniques using embedded controllers and the development of advanced health monitoring techniques for battery with lifetime prediction by applying research to Tridonic UK’s outdoor lighting business. The KTP Associate will help embed this work into Tridonic UK Ltd. In line with the University’s mission and corporate strategy, and Tridonic business and culture, you will: Develop a full understanding of the strategic aims and function of the collaborative project between Tridonic UK Ltd and Northumbria University. Undertake research, design, development, implementation, and project management and take ownership of the KTP project. Feedback to the project team and deliver the project in accordance with the project plan and KTP management requirements. Document progress during the project, as well as completing KTP records. Present research outputs to a varied audience including Tridonic UK Ltd’s management, clients, University academics and the KTP Local Management Committee (project team). Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through academic publications, enhancing your professional profile and supporting the University's research impact Training and Development Opportunities The KTP Associate will benefit from professional development opportunities, including: KTP residential training modules, focusing on project management, leadership, and business skills. Participation in academic conferences, enabling networking and insights into industry best practices. A tailored Personal Development Plan (PDP) with structured career support and mentoring. Technical training in power electronics, control systems, and embedded systems, supported by university and industry experts. Hands-on collaboration with senior professionals at Tridonic and Northumbria University to tackle real-world challenges Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr. Haimeng Wu at haimeng.wunorthumbria.ac.uk. To apply for this vacancy, please click 'Apply Now.' Your application should include a covering letter and CV, highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications. ABOUT US Northumbria University is a research-intensive university that unlocks potential for all. We change lives regionally, nationally, and internationally through education and research, tackling the global challenges of our age to transform society and the economy. Find out why we were named Times Higher Education’s University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now ranked top 25 in the UK for this measure. One of the largest universities in the UK with over 37,000 students from more than 140 countries, filled with world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and students at the heart of an outstanding experience. Discover more about us. Northumbria University is a great place to work. We empower our exceptional people to achieve shared ambitions and promote a positive work life balance. We offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more. Our Northumbria Values are guiding principles that define who we are, what we do and what is important to us. Our Values are: Academic Excellence ; Innovation ; Inclusivity ; Collaboration ; and Ambition. Our Behaviours describe how we do things and how we work together at Northumbria, reflecting our culture and our decision-making. Our Behaviours are: We listen and learn, we support one another to success, we respect everyone and their contributions, we trust in ourselves and each other and we are bold. Our Values and Behaviours were co-created by colleagues from a range of roles across the University, who worked collaboratively to consider what it feels like to work for Northumbria, and where we need to continue to transform together to achieve what’s important to us. Please visit Our Values and Behaviours page to find out more. We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager. Our campus locations include our City and Coach Lane Campuses in Newcastle upon Tyne and our London campus. Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds bronze Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter awards in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender and race equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process. We are committed to keeping your data safe so it's important for you to know how we use any personal data you give us. For more detailed information, access our. About Tridonic Tridonic, a company of the Zumtobel Group founded in 1956 in Dornbirn, Austria, is a leading global provider of smart and efficient lighting solutions. With a presence in 75 countries and a workforce of approximately 1,586 employees, Tridonic supports its partners and customers with sustainable lighting systems for various applications, including office buildings, retail outlets, hotels, educational institutions, and outdoor environments. The company emphasizes innovation, dedicating significant resources to research and development, and holds over 2,500 patents. Committed to sustainability, Tridonic actively contributes to environmentally friendly lighting production worldwide.