Quantum Specialist KTP Associate Ref: 43593 (Fixed Term, Re-advertisement)

This is a re-advertisement of the role that closed on 21 June 2026. Previous applicants need not apply.

About the role

CPI TMD Technologies Ltd and the University of Sussex are looking to recruit a highly motivated and skilled researcher within the area of spectroscopy, quantum optics and atom-light interaction to lead and deliver a project to commercialise an optical atomic clock. 

CPI TMD Technologies Ltd’s core business is the design, manufacture, supply and repair of high-power microwave amplifiers and power supplies to the defence and communications industries. These products are typically high value and low-to-medium volume, requiring extremely specialist manufacturing and testing capability to realize. In order to achieve more significant growth, the company is pursuing development of a third revenue stream from quantum-enabled sensing and timing products.

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme co-funded by a grant through Innovate UK. It is essential that the post holder understands that a KTP works across the business and the university, and the vital role you will play if you successfully secure this position. KTPs offer a wide range of benefits including access to management training, mentoring and a £6,000 Personal Development budget to enable you to upskill during the project.   Find out more about KTPs. 

Working with experts from the university and drawing on expertise from within the company, you will follow CPI-TMD Technologies Ltd’s New Product Introduction process (a gate stage engineering lifecycle) to translate the current system design from a research system to a commercial product.

About you

Applicants must have been resident in the UK for THREE years and the successful candidate will be subject to mandatory security checks through the company before being confirmed in post.

Working with experts from the university and drawing on expertise from within the company, you will use your skills to follow CPI TMD Technologies’ new product introduction process to 

• Review and redesign atomic clock subsystems 
• Source components and suppliers
• Test and characterize subsystems
• Integrate and characterize the atomic clock system

This 28-month project is funded through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) award, a UK Government scheme intended to promote beneficial relationships between universities and industry. As a KTP Associate you will receive: 

• extensive practical and formal training 
• gain marketable skills 
• broaden knowledge and expertise within an industrially relevant project 
• be supported by both industrial and academic mentors. 

The KTP associate will benefit from a tax-free Personal Development Budget of £6,000. There is the potential to publish project output. 

About our School

We are a research-intensive School that simultaneously delivers outstanding teaching to our students. As such we aim to be consistently recognised as truly world leading in key areas of our science, by extending the international excellence, impact and visibility of our research. We aim to be within the top UK universities in our discipline areas, attracting high-quality students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

We will establish a reputation as having a particularly open, stimulating, collaborative and supportive working environment for both staff and students, enabling the best possible outcomes for research, teaching and learning. We will further enhance our links with non-academic actors on local, national and international scales, and will maximize the impact of our work.

Please find further information regarding the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is proud to hold a Bronze Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

This role is in partnership with CPI TMD Technologies Ltd and will be located   in Hayes, Middlesex. 

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that. 

Find out more about our reward and benefits package. 

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Further Key Information 

Please contact Archie Kubba (a.kubba@sussex.ac.uk) or Matthias Keller (m.k.keller@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex. 

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is 2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified and the going rate is £46,100.

If the successful candidate requires a sponsored visa for this role, they may need to obtain ATAS clearance prior to the employment start date.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.