Industrial Secondment: Hydrogen Skills for the East Midlands

********************Deadline Passed********************

C-DICE, in collaboration with HyDEX, is pleased to to offer an exciting opportunity for a four to six-month secondment for postdoctoral researchers with technical skills provider, East Midlands Institute of Technology (East Midlands IoT). The postdoctoral researcher seconded to this project will gain a thorough introduction to integrated economic development planning in the East Midlands. The secondee will benefit from networking and collaboration opportunities with a wide number of regional businesses and key agencies, as well as insight into the development of technical education in both FE and HE settings. After the secondment, the secondee will have CPD evidence e.g. for fellowship of Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

This project would be ideal for a postdoctoral researcher with an interest in working across sectors and an understanding of technical education pathways, and a background in data analytics.

About East Midlands IoT

Institutes of Technology (IoTs) were created by Government to tackle the skills gaps in high level technical education in the UK. There are 21 IoTs across England, all delivering much-needed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) skills closely aligned to local economic growth and opportunity.

The East Midlands IoT is a partnership between Loughborough and Derby colleges and universities and coordinates technical skills provision from T-Levels through to Masters in engineering, digital, professional construction and zero carbon technologies. 

Project Background

The purpose of this role is to provide practical information and guidance for the development of technical training in Hydrogen skills aligned to the East Midlands Freeport growth area. The role will inform (via the educational partners of the EMIoT) the development of existing technical curriculum to incorporate Hydrogen skills and the creation of new curriculum offers where required, as well as gather information and insight on skills demand for the production, storage, management and usage of Hydrogen as a future energy. It will also help cement the role of the EMIoT as this principle provider of Hydrogen skills in the region.

Working with employers, education providers and research partners, this role will draw together local and national resources and information for building technical skills for the rollout of hydrogen as a fuel source in the East Midlands.

Job Purpose

Create a roadmap to enable the safe rollout of hydrogen technical skills in the East Midlands:

• Identify local regional resources for hydrogen technical upskilling that could be utilised locally.
• Assess specific skills demand and pace of growth in demand in the region and share this information with EMIoT providers.
• Assess variation in Hydrogen skills demand at each educational level – from L3 (T-levels) to post graduate (L7+) and identify particular demand for higher technical skills at levels 4 & 5.
• Connect business and providers to ensure curriculum development aligns to latest need and demand.
• Create opportunities for the upskilling of existing technical teachers and tutors in Hydrogen.
• Work with providers to shape a hydrogen leadership module for SME business leaders to increase take-up of hydrogen for business growth and transformation.
• Identify and create learning pathways for different hydrogen jobs, i.e. what qualifications or educational courses does someone need for a specific role in the hydrogen sector.
• Develop a job classification for hydrogen occupations and skills requirements, including experience level and pay grade (entry level, associate, mid-senior level, director, executive). Warwick institute of employment research has completed a report which has mapped hydrogen jobs in the Midlands, which could be utilised.  
• Identify and create a hydrogen employer database, with potential to arrange industry opportunities for students and learners, and work with agencies such as Career Ready who deliver mentoring, internships, skills masterclasses, workplace visits for young people in years 12 and 13.

Secondment Details

Number of secondments: This advert is for one secondment.

Duration: This secondment is four to six months in duration at full-time, depending on the secondee’s availability (or prorated for part-time equivalent).

Location: Hybrid working with periodic in-person meetings in the Midlands (across Loughborough, Derby, and Nottingham).

Salary: University Pay Scale Spine 26 to 38 (£32,982 to £46,974 p.a. prorated for duration of post), depending on current postdoctoral researcher salary. Please note that university overheads will not be paid due to the developmental opportunity this presents to the postdoctoral researcher to undertake an industrial secondment. Expenses related to authorised travel for this secondment will be covered.

Special Conditions

This industrial placement is open to postdoctoral researchers based at C-DICE universities. In exceptional cases, final year PhD students (PGRs) will be considered. Successful candidates will be required to seek permission from their supervisor and employing organisation to undertake the secondment. The project will commence as soon as possible. In cases where participation in this secondment would require a no-cost extension to an EPSRC grant, EPSRC has agreed to grant this automatically on request.

All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the East Midlands IoT Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures.

All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the East Midlands IoT Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy and procedures at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality & Diversity legislation and policies/procedures.

After the Secondment

• Confirmation of expenditure.
• Outcomes (e.g. publications, engagement activities) for impact tracking.
• A report highlighting key findings.
• The postdoc may be asked to engage with C-DICE events (e.g. Annual Conference or Business Engagement Events) and to lead a C-DICE training activity in their area of expertise.

Eligibility

Essential Criteria

• Excellent communication skills and willingness to work across sectors.
• Understanding of technical education pathways.
• Experience of synthesising large volumes of data and intelligence into coherent and easily digestible recommendations.
• Ability to work on own initiative.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of Hydrogen as a fuel.
• Experience of technical curriculum development in colleges or universities.

Timeline

Deadline for applications	12 December 2023 at 16:00
Confirmation interviews	18 December 2023, 13:00-15:00

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted any time before the deadline.  Apply now:

• Sign up to Inkpath.  Then affiliate your account to C-DICE.  For more details on how, click here.
• Apply via Inkpath using Activity Code DSAB0015 or click the button above.
• When you sign up for the activity, you will receive a link to an online application form.
• You will need:
  • Application details (education & employment background)
  • Cover letter stating your available start date (max 500 words)
  • CV

Supporting documents to be uploaded to Inkpath Activity DSAB0015. Any questions about the role or support in the application process should be emailed to C-DICE at a.beierholm@cdice.ac.uk and cc: enquiries@cdice.ac.uk.

Please note that if you are successful, your supervisor will be contacted for a letter/email of support.