Agentic AI/Plasma Developer - KTP Associate

This is a full-time position available immediately on a 30-month fixed-term contract.

This role will be based at OIPT in Severn Beach, Bristol with occasional visits the University of Exeter.

The starting salary will be from £43,482 - £46,049 on Grade (F) depending on qualifications, skills and experience.

The role:
An exciting opportunity has become available to work on a 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Oxford Instrument Plasma Technology Limited (OIPT). The KTP will apply advanced agentic-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to the modelling of semiconductor processing systems, addressing productivity challenges in High Volume Manufacture sector. Specifically, this enables a timely response to customer challenges and market trends in an environment that is increasingly brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible (BANI).

The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Exeter and will spend the majority of their time working at OIPT in Severn Beach, Bristol with occasional visits to the University of Exeter.

Company Information:
Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited, trading as Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology (OIPT), is a leading provider of plasma etch and deposition processing equipment. OIPT currently offers solutions for plasma etching and deposition, ion beam etching and deposition, and atomic layer etching and deposition, for the production of advanced microelectronics. More information about Oxford Instrument Plasma Technology Ltd can be found here: https://plasma.oxinst.com/.

Qualification / skills we require:

• Educated to a Master’s level in Computer Science, Physics or in a related field of study or equivalent experience.
• Strong expertise in advanced AI/machine learning engineering or strong expertise in plasma physics and numerical methods.
• Proficiency in Python and interest in machine learning.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with ability to interpret complex datasets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to mixed academic and industrial audiences.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic–industry team, with commercial awareness.
• Experience of managing research projects or contributing significantly to collaborative research.
• Well‑organised, self‑motivated, and able to prioritise work independently within a project framework.
• Enthusiasm for hands‑on experimental work alongside computational modelling.
• Adaptable and able to work effectively in a fast‑paced commercial environment.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements and good research record‑keeping practices.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive working practices.
• Willingness to work at OIPT in Severn Beach, Bristol with visits to the University of Exeter as required, and flexibility to meet project demands.

Benefits:

• A £5,000 training budget with 10% of your working time dedicated to personal development.
• A unique and challenging career opportunity, working in both industry and academia.
• The possibility for the right candidate to create an impactful and rewarding career with Oxford Instrument Plasma Technology Ltd, following completion of this project.
• The successful applicant will develop a wide range of industrial and research skills for their future career, utilising the skills and knowledge of company supervisors, as well as benefitting from continuous academic support.
• The opportunity to manage and lead on a project early on in your career.
• Author academic papers and present at conferences.
• Specific KTP residential training.

Before submitting an application, you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Professor Gavin Tabor - G.R.Tabor@exeter.ac.uk at University of Exeter or email Kris Balo - Kris.Balo@oxinst.com at Oxford Instrument Plasma Technology Ltd.

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