Timber Design Innovation Lead; KTP Associate

Job Overview

This post is full-time, 35 hours per week and is fixed-term until November 2028.

Primary location: PLP Architecture, The White Chapel Building, 10 Whitechapel High St, London.
Secondary location: School of Architecture and Cities, Marylebone Campus, London.

The KTP Associate role must be undertaken on a full-time basis by a single appointed candidate. Job share or part-time arrangements are not possible. The post is expected to be primarily office-based, with limited flexibility by agreement.

The University of Westminster and PLP Architecture are seeking a curious, creative and resourceful individual with strong initiative to develop a commercially viable, flexible, and affordable housing typology using engineered timber and flexible partitions over the course of a 32‑month UKRI‑funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

An initial prototype of the flexible partitions and the building typology was exhibited at the London Design Biennale in June 2023.
PLP Architecture is a London‑based studio of architects, designers, and researchers. The practice has produced some of the world’s greenest, most intelligent, and boundary‑pushing designs, with project values ranging from £4 million to £1 billion.

• Develop a bio‑based architectural prototype with integrated flexible timber partitions and a methodology for engaging communities, clients, planners, lenders, insurers, and other critical stakeholders.
• Create a guide for implementing the building model within UK and international supply chains.
• Build a library of interchangeable bio‑based materials tailored to varied regional and climatic contexts.
• Lead the digital design, rapid prototyping, and fabrication of the flexible partition system and housing prototype.
• Test, iterate, and refine prototypes within fabrication lab environments, ensuring technical performance and compliance with UK building regulations.
• Coordinate stakeholders in various sectors to execute the long‑term project.

• Hold an MSc, MArch, PhD, or equivalent expertise in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in digital fabrication, advanced manufacturing, prototyping, architectural design, drafting, project management, supply chains, and bio‑based materials.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to coordinate stakeholders across disciplinary boundaries.
• Experience in developing methodology for stakeholder engagement and supply‑chain integration is desirable.

The role is a full‑time position with funding for training and professional development, and a possible route for global talent visa sponsorship. The anticipated salary is between £47,034 and £51,246 per annum (incl. LWA), based on experience.

The associate will be employed by the University of Westminster and based at PLP Architecture, with occasional work at the University (one day every fortnight). UKRI will provide additional mentorship support. The project will run for 32 months, concluding in November 2028.

Closing date: midnight on 1 February 2026

Interviews likely on: 5 February

Administrative contact (for queries only): R

At the University of Westminster, diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity are at the core of how we engage with students, colleagues, applicants, visitors and all our stakeholders.

We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment which is equitable, diverse and inclusive, is based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.

The University has adopted Smart Working principles to support and further our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims of being an inclusive, collaborative and flexible employer. Further details of Smart Working can be discussed at interview stage.