Research & Innovation Associate - Global Training Quality

University of Exeter - Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Location:	Hemel Hempstead, Hybrid
Salary:	The starting salary will be from (£33,951) to (£35,608) on Grade (E), or (£43,482) on Grade (F) depending on qualifications and experience.
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 31st March 2026
Closes: 28th April 2026
Job Ref: R12999

Salary Details
The starting salary will be from (£33,951) to (£35,608) on Grade (E), or (£43,482) on Grade (F) depending on qualifications and experience.
This role is available at Grade E or F. Applicants are encouraged to review both Job Descriptions to understand the distinctions in scope and criteria for each level.
This new full-time post is available from 1st June 2026 on a fixed term basis until 31st May 2028. This post is offered as a fixed term contract and is funded by Innovate UK until 31st May 2028. In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.

Summary of the role:
An exciting opportunity has become available to work on a 2-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Smiths Detection. Drawing on state-of-the-art educational research, the KTP will develop and deliver high quality, best-in-class training models for a global customer base in safety critical environments.
The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Exeter and will spend the majority of their time working at Smiths Detection’s premises in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
Previous applicants to this role need not apply.

Company Information:
Smiths Detection are a major global supplier of threat detection and screening technologies (e.g. X-ray scanners and chemical/biological agent detectors in the aviation, ports and borders sectors).
More information about Smiths Detection can be found at: https://www.smithsdetection.com/.

The Training
Alongside the design and manufacture of cutting-edge threat detection systems, Smiths Detection is also a large global training provider, offering comprehensive training on the operation and maintenance of its products to both internal staff and customers worldwide.
Smiths Detection operates seven training centres globally and trains more than 3,500 personnel each year. These programmes support customers, service partners, and the internal Field Service Engineering community in developing the skills required to operate, maintain, and support Smiths Detection equipment effectively.

The Project
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is focused on strengthening quality assurance within our training delivery framework. Through this KTP, the company aims to embed specialised, high-quality training as a core commercial offering, giving Smiths Detection a distinct competitive advantage in a highly regulated and often uniform industry.
The project aims to address, but is not limited to the following key questions:

• How should competence be defined within our context? Considering cultural, organisational, and sector specific interpretations of competence.
• What factors influence the development of competence? Including delivery methodology, learner perceptions, prior experience, and the learning environment.
• How can competence development be effectively measured in the classroom? Focusing on reliable, valid methods for assessing knowledge, skills, and practical performance.
• How can classroom acquired competence be shown to translate into effective on-the-job performance, and how should this be measured and maintained over time? Exploring field based performance evaluations, ongoing assessments, and recertification processes.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role, by clicking the 'apply' button.

Further information
Before submitting an application, you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Prof Rob Freathy – R.J.K.Freathy@exeter.ac.uk, University of Exeter or Josh Perkins – Joshua.perkins@smithsdetection.com, Senior Training Manager at Smiths Detection.