Birmingham City University is looking to appoint a high calibre graduate as an AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate in the BCU’s Department of Computer Science within the School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering (ABCE).

This role presents an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with leading academics at Birmingham City University, to apply knowledge and technical innovation, delivered on site at the company. 

This Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) is co-funded by a grant from Innovate UK and Lime Green Products Limited. It is therefore essential you understand the fundamentals of the KTP collaboration between a UK business and a University works to deliver benefits for each (the company, the university, and the graduate) For more information please go to www.ktp.org.uk

Location: Lime Green Products Limited, at Coates Kilns, Stretton Road, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, TF13 6DG.

The Associate will deliver the 24-month KTP project in partnership with Birmingham City University and Lime Green Products Limited. 

The KTP Associate should have a minimum 2.1 University qualification in a relevant subject area.

Personal Training & Development Budget: 

The AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate will have access to a wider range of benefits including a personal development budget of £4,000 to upskill during the project. 

Lime Green Products:

Lime Green Products (LGP) is a well-established UK manufacturer and distributor of eco-friendly building materials, specialising in lime-based renders, mortars and insulation systems for both heritage restoration and modern sustainable construction markets. 

LGP’s products are designed to provide breathable, low-carbon alternatives to cement-based materials, supporting the drive toward energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building practices. For more information please visit: https://www.lime-green.co.uk/

The successful candidate will have full access to Birmingham City University’s resources such as offices, labs, and library to complete the KTP project (a project workplan written with KPIs and outcome deliverables has been written).

The AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate will be supervised and mentored by both a lead academic and academic supervisor academics from BCU’s Department of Computer Science within the School of Architecture, Built Environment, Engineering and Computing as well as a company supervisor located at Lime Green Products Limited whose aim is to assist the Associate to deliver the knowledge into Lime Green Products Limited and successfully deliver the 24-month KTP project on behalf of Lime Green Products Limited and Birmingham City University.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

The AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate will work on:

• Distilling tacit and explicit staff knowledge into a structured, AI-driven system.
• Building Architecture/building services RAG System and developing LLM tailored to LGP’s products, existing and emerging regulatory standards and heritage construction expertise.
• Implementing multimodal guardrails (text and image) to ensure safe, accurate and brand-compliant outputs adds additional complexity for architecture.
• Integration with the company’s CRM, website and training platforms involves a deep understanding of software engineering and AI deployment for Architecture/building services.
• Lead the delivery of the KTP project from inception through implementation.
• Conduct research into AI, LLMs, generative AI, and digital transformation within architecture.
• Design and develop AI-powered tools and workflows aligned with business objectives.
• Build and evaluate prototype systems for Architecture using modern AI frameworks and technologies.
• Collaborate with architects, designers, technical specialists, and academic researchers.
• Manage project timelines, milestones, and reporting requirements.
• Conduct stakeholder engagement, workshops, and training LGP staff in the effective use of the generative LLM tool, as well as modern GenAI products of value.
• Ensure ethical, secure, and responsible deployment of advance AI technologies.
• Disseminate project outcomes through reports, presentations, and publications where appropriate.
• Perform administrative tasks relevant to the project as the line manager assigns.

The role requires the successful candidate to develop the following:

• Review the company’s existing AI digital environment and determine AI-based business requirements.
• Design a Shared Data Store that facilitates multiple users, applications, and systems to access the data simultaneously and complete the distillation of knowledge.
• Implementing a novel algorithm to embedding and vectorising the data.
• Design the optimum combination of AI Language Modules to meet the needs of Company’s customer base.
• Designing and engineering the prompt palette to anticipate enquiries and respond to users.
• Applying Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) framework for designing Small as well as Large Language Models, integrating with the data store.
• Designing and embedding the multimodal Guardrail architecture.
• Testing and preparing the system for deployment.
• Engaging and supporting the embedding of the new knowledge.
• Navigate competing demands and ensure effective knowledge transfer.

The AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate will be expected to interact with the senior management, suppliers and clients of the company as well as BCU academics. 

The AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate must also be adept at applying their knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and making an impact where possible, with an ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions.

The AEC Solution Architect (AI/LLM Developer) KTP Associate must have the following key attributes to ensure the project’s successful completion;

Essential Requirements:

• Intricate knowledge of Architecture and Built Environment disciplines is essential
• A minimum 2:1 or first-class undergraduate qualification in either:
  • Architecture or closely related discipline with a passion for technology and AI solutions.
  • Strong understanding of Architecture/building services with an AI/Computer Science degree.
• Demonstratable experience with LLMs such as: OpenAI GPT models, Gemini, Claude, or other foundation models.
• Understanding of data analysis, information systems, or digital transformation projects.
• Experience with architecture software / processes / building systems and CRMs. 

Desirable Requirements:

• Master’s degree or PhD (awarded or near completion) in Architecture/AI/Computer Science or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of AI risk frameworks and model governance.
• Evidence of Python development skills. Proficiency in software development using several programming languages such as Python, C#, in a commercial environment.
• Understanding of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) systems and Vector databases.
• Knowledge of LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, LlamaIndex with MLOps or LLMOps experience.
• Working experience in design and implementing architectural data with AI/LLM models

Personal Skills:

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to take a proactive role in delivering the proposal's work plan successfully.
• Practical interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and industrial partners.
• Excellent communication skills to express ideas adequately and articulate complicated matters between the academics and the company project team members either orally or in writing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and computational skills, along with being adept at applying knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and making an impact where possible.
• Strong project management skills.

Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place week commencing 7th September 2026.

For further information, please get in touch with Professor Iain Rice at Iain.Rice@bcu.ac.uk or Dr Debashish Das at Debashish.Das@bcu.ac.uk or Katriona Byrne at Katriona.Byrne@bcu.ac.uk

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential. 

Disability Confident Employer

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.