Job Opportunity: Specialist in Large Language Models (LLM) and NLP for an Architectural Firm - KTP Associate

Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum (plus substantial training budget)

Newcastle University offers an exceptional working environment with excellent benefits, including a generous holiday package with the option to purchase additional days, excellent pension schemes, and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 23 June 2024

The Role

Ryder Architecture and Newcastle University are excited to offer an opportunity for a Specialist in Large Language Models (LLM) and NLP. This role focuses on automating non-design related tasks within their firm to enhance business productivity and service delivery.

As the Specialist, you will lead a project aimed at automating non-design support tasks and their deliverables. You will support the creation of automated documents such as proposals, stage reports, and client briefs to streamline the architectural design development process. Furthermore, you will work on developing methods to improve design capability and capacity using novel LLM Models and Artificial Intelligence systems.

Ideal candidates should possess a Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, or a related technical field. Applications are also encouraged from candidates with a background in Architecture, Design, and related disciplines who possess knowledge and skills in computing related to LLM/AI systems.

The KTP Associate will be employed by Newcastle University but will primarily work at Ryder Architecture’s premises at Cooper’s Studios, 14-18 Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3NN, and as needed at Newcastle University. Although the contract is for 2 years, over 70% of KTP staff receive a permanent job offer from their KTP company.

Benefits:

• Develop managerial skills and attend two residential managerial workshops (each one week in duration)
• £4,000 personal training budget
• Opportunity to lead a project, develop project management skills, and improve long-term career prospects
• Mentoring by a Knowledge Transfer Network Adviser
• Full access to university resources to complete the project
• Ability to work in a largely self-determined way across the industry-academic partnership
• Opportunities for technical understanding and commercial awareness development
• Possibility to study for a higher degree or undertake professional development

For more information or informal enquiries, please contact Prof Mohamad Kassem (Mohamad.kassem@newcastle.ac.uk) and Dr Huizhi Liang (Huizhi.liang@newcastle.ac.uk).

For further details on the and , please visit our web pages.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research along the lines of the funded project’s programme
• Develop an automated document generation system to support architectural design using LLMs, advanced NLP, and machine learning techniques
• Engage in personal development, including familiarisation with the company
• Disseminate and embed knowledge within Ryder via reports, presentations, group discussions, and workshops
• Prepare and present research outputs, such as publications and case studies, to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Attend relevant conferences

The Person:

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Familiarity with core concepts of trustworthy and explainable AI
• Expanding knowledge in applying methods and techniques in LLMs, NLP, AI, deep learning, predictive modelling, and generative models
• Understanding of Data Science and Machine Learning fundamentals (experience desired)
• Programming and development skills in Python-based Natural Language Processing/AI libraries such as NLTK, Spacy, sk-learn, PyTorch, Keras
• Adaptability and ability to quickly grasp new concepts and technologies
• Problem-solving skills to analyse complex problems and develop innovative solutions using LLM technologies