Process Engineer - KTP Associate

Turning Passion into Purpose.

London South Bank University are excited to be recruiting an associate for the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Yeo Valley. Yeo Valley are a family-owned dairy business and the largest organic brand in the market employing 1600 people across the South West. The Heating and Cooling Research Group at LSBU is a leading research team in the field of sustainable heating and cooling.

The KTP will embed advanced thermal utility mapping expertise to develop an innovative optimisation framework for Yeo Valley’s food processing facility. This framework will benchmark operations against cutting-edge industry techniques and emerging technologies, enabling significant improvements in energy efficiency, resource management, and sustainability. By integrating zero-carbon heating and cooling systems, advanced water processing, and optimised equipment, the project aligns with Yeo Valley’s strategic vision to drive operational efficiency, cost savings, and emissions reduction, reinforcing Yeo Valley’s position as a leader in sustainable and ethical food production.

The innovation lies in designing a sustainable food production model that leverages energy-efficient technology and optimised resource utilisation to streamline operations, enhance margins, and reinforce Yeo Valley’s leadership in ethical and climate-conscious food production. These advanced capabilities will enable Yeo Valley to transition from being solely a premium organic food producer to a leader in sustainable, climate-positive food manufacturing.

This role will be based in Somerset with occasional visits to LSBU and is offered on a fixed-term contract basis for up to 24 months.

About You:

We are looking to hear from candidates who have the following skills/experience:

• Research skills to synthesise complex information into practical process improvements and business recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences.
• Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or similar. A Masters/PhD would be desirable as would relevant industrial experience.
• Clear understanding of fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics including refrigeration.

Benefits and How to Apply:

As a leading Higher Education Institution LSBU offers staff a highly competitive benefits package including holiday entitlement starting at 26.5 days per annum, professional development opportunities and flexible working. Full details on the range of benefits we offer can be found here.

The person specification for this role alongside applicant guidance on what to submit within your application can be found within the candidate pack (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button).

For an informal conversation ahead of applying please feel free to contact the hiring managers for this position:

Robin Campbell - campbr14@lsbu.ac.uk or Judith Evans - j.a.evans@lsbu.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 26th October 2025 23.59pm.

Interview/assessment - 3rd November 2025

We are happy to talk flexible working and reasonable adjustments and aim to make our recruitment and selection process accessible to all, please contact us to discuss any support you need. The diversity of LSBU’s staff and students is a source of our strength and the richness of ideas and perspectives that this diversity brings makes LSBU a unique place to work.

Depending on your circumstances, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UKVI Skilled Worker route, more details on this can be found within the candidate pack.

If you have any questions related to your application, please email the recruitment team: hrdsr@lsbu.ac.uk.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

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