For informal queries about the role, please contact Associate Professor Subhash Lakshminarayana at Subhash.Lakshminarayana@warwick.ac.uk
About the Role
Full‑time fixed term 29‑month contract. The Associate will be employed on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between the University of Warwick and National Grid. The 29‑month project will deliver a specialised cybersecurity strategy to be rolled out across National Grid’s intelligent substations. The skills required are multi‑disciplinary, with knowledge of power system security and machine learning being crucial.
The Associate will primarily work alongside National Grid engineers to integrate the machine learning backend of the intrusion detection system into real‑world setups.
This post is part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) initiative funded by Innovate UK. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a UK‑wide programme that has been helping businesses for the past 50 years to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. For further information visit http://ktp.innovateuk.org/
The skills the Associate will develop will put them at the cutting edge of power grid cyber‑physical security, equipping them to address emerging threats, design resilient architectures and safeguard critical energy infrastructure. They will collaborate with a dynamic team of National Grid staff and University of Warwick academics to achieve the project goals.
About You
The candidate should have PhD‑level training or strong equivalent work experience in cybersecurity or a similar field, with evidence of designing new relevant products and working with big and diverse teams. They will need advanced‑level knowledge of power grid security and machine learning concepts, proficient coding skills (e.g. MATLAB, Python or similar) and power grid simulation software (e.g. PSCAD, Power Factory, etc). The Associate must also learn to integrate the machine learning backend of the intrusion detection system to real‑world substation setups. This requires development of specialised APIs and lifecycle management of the machine learning model.
This role requires a strong understanding of electrical engineering and power systems principles in order to communicate with a variety of stakeholders, including IT&D specialists and energy engineers.
You are a proactive and self‑motivated professional who thrives working both independently and as part of a team. You are confident managing your own workload with minimal supervision, consistently using initiative to identify improvements, solve problems and drive tasks through to completion.
You bring experience in project management, with the ability to plan, coordinate and deliver work effectively.
An excellent communicator, you have strong written and verbal English skills and are comfortable engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. Your interpersonal skills enable you to build positive working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams.
You are also committed to continuous professional development and actively seek opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the PDF below attached to the job description.
About the Department
National Grid Partners is the venture investment and Group innovation arm of National Grid plc., one of the world’s largest investor‑owned energy companies. Our team combines decades of experience in both corporate venture capital and utility operations, accelerating the energy transition and helping new technologies reach critical scale faster.
Since 2018 we have invested over £500 million in more than 50 startups in the US and the UK. We also convene the NextGrid Alliance, an international network of senior innovation executives from more than 120 utility companies focused on harnessing the industry’s latest technologies. Headquarters is in Silicon Valley, with offices in Boston, London and New York. This position will be located in our London office.
As part of the KTP, the Associate will receive mentoring from Innovate UK and be allocated a budget of £2,000 per annum for training and professional development. As a University of Warwick employee you will have access to university resources and a range of benefits, including an attractive pension scheme. The role is based full‑time at National Grid Partners’ offices, 1‑3 Strand, London, WC2N 5EH, with opportunities for travel to other National Grid offices.
The University of Warwick is a top‑10 UK university and top‑100 worldwide. The Connected Systems Research Group at the School of Engineering is part of this role, consisting of experts in smart grids, cyber‑security, applied AI and wireless communication systems.
The School of Engineering is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, currently holding an Athena SWAN Gold award; the university holds an Institutional Silver award.
About the University
We are a world‑leading research‑intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world‑leading or internationally excellent.
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/
How to Apply
CLOSING DEADLINE: Thursday 19th March 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)
To apply, please click the APPLY button below and submit your application by the closing deadline.
You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter. Within these documents, please:
* Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
* Outline reasons for your interest in this position.
* Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the PDF attached below. We recommend using the essential and desirable criteria as headings.
Please note that all essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.
* Candidates should also provide a link to their online project portfolio (e.g. GitHub) if available.
* Candidates shortlisted for interview will be asked to give a short presentation (5‑10 minutes) about a relevant or technical project they’ve previously worked on.
* Interview Date: To be confirmed
* Start Date: To be confirmed
Applications must be submitted by the closing deadline. Only applications submitted through our Careers Portal will be considered.
You are welcome to include any career breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long‑term sick leave).
Please note that if you do not evidence the essential criteria, the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application.
What we Offer
We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including
* An attractive pension scheme.
* 26 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
* Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
* Onsite childcare facilities.
* Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. Find out more about our flexible working arrangements.
We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
To find out more about our commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion, please see: Our Commitments | University of Warwick
Job Description
JD KTP Associate (Cybersecurity and Machine Learning Engineer) (111387).pdf – 220 KB (opens in a new window)
Right to Work in the UK
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