We are looking for a graduate designer who wants to develop user-centred design and advanced manufacturing methods within the high-performance mobility and custom posture management sector. The role will require developing light weight, easy to adjust and aesthetically cutting-edge products that can be customised to meet user needs.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team in the UK and abroad will be required to understand user needs, develop knowledge of advanced mass customisation design and manufacture strategies, and apply this to new product ranges. It will give the company the capability to iteratively test development opportunities from early in the process, both for testing market acceptance of ideas and in preparation for the required external testing for regulatory compliance.
This is part of a two-year project that intends to expand business. It will be supported by expertise at PDR, Cardiff Metropolitan University and comes with a personal development budget and support from professional award-winning product and service designers.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
This project is enabled via a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). KTP is one of Europe’s leading government funded collaborative programmes helping businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity using expertise, skills and resources from a UK knowledge base. For graduates KTPs’ provide a programme designed to develop the skills and knowledge of future business leaders whilst embedding new knowledge, systems and processes in the host company. High calibre graduates are employed to work on specific projects of strategic importance to companies, whilst being supported by a dedicated University or College. All graduates spend around 10% of their time in training and development.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a collaborative, Product Design based Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between V-Trak and PDR, an internationally recognised design consultancy which is part of Cardiff Metropolitan University.
To find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships please see: https://www.ktp-uk.org/
The Company
As designers & manufacturers of innovative seating and positioning equipment for wheelchair users, V-Trak’s core principle is Productive Empathy. Their collective and holistic approach to research, design and manufacture results in products which maximise comfort, function and long-term health. V-Trak are more agile than large medical device manufacturers, for who customisable and high value is not the primary income stream. Customisable, user-driven products require a closer relationship and a deeper understanding of user needs.
Visit https://www.v-trak.co.uk/ for further details.
The Knowledge Base:
PDR is a leading European multidisciplinary design and development research centre. The Centre combines award winning consultancy, highly rated research functions and leading knowledge transfer programmes. Their expertise spans user-centred design, service design, eco design, product development and, surgical and prosthetic design.
For more information on PDR – International Centre for Design and Research see: https://www.pdr-design.com/
For more information on Cardiff Metropolitan University see: http://cardiffmet.ac.uk/
Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
The position plays a pivotal role in the development of new, innovative wheelchair posture management seating products that can be tailored to user needs within a new V-Trak service.
The role will require the associate to quickly develop research and project management skills which will allow them to organise and facilitate user centred design workshops, analyse data, develop skills in advanced design and manufacture, understand the medical device regulatory environment, design experimental tests to prove product safety and effectively convert findings into strategies for new product development.
The KTP associate will be based at V-Trak in Bridgend, S Wales and will benefit from a training package of £4K, with regular meetings from PDR’s supervisory team.
The associate will benefit from mentoring from academic and professional supervisors as well as guidance and support from their KTP advisor. Prof. Dominic Eggbeer (deggbeer@pdr-design.com) and be contacted for more information on this KTP project.
Our total reward package
We have a range of great benefits for employees including:
How to apply
If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact Prof. Dominic Eggbeer (deggbeer@pdr-design.com)
Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. Our Strategic Plan underpins our commitment to recruit and retain the best talent and we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds. We appoint on merit.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic all of our recruitment is being conducted virtually. We aim to respond to your application as soon as possible.
Further Information
Our Candidate Pack
Please visit our website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.