Jobs Boost for Medway
Atkins, the design and engineering consultancy, is to fund a second academic post at the University of Greenwich at Medway. The initiative is part of a five-year, £700,000 sponsorship deal with the university, agreed last year, which is helping to boost the region’s role as a centre of expertise in civil engineering.
The new post is for a lecturer or senior lecturer in Infrastructure Engineering. The successful candidate will have a special interest in building projects such as roads and railways, and will work closely with industry partners.
The move is the latest stage in the development of the relationship between the University of Greenwich and Atkins and follows the appointment of Professor Chun Li, as Atkins Professor of Civil Engineering. He came to Medway in September 2006 and has established a new research facility for testing concrete at Medway.
Professor John Humphreys, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) at the University of Greenwich says: “The demand for civil engineering expertise is growing fast, notably in South East England, which is home to new developments in the Thames Gateway and the London Olympic Park.
“Working with Atkins, one of the world’s leading design engineers, the University of Greenwich is training the next generation of construction professionals as well as providing invaluable consultancy and expertise to industry. We are delighted with the success of this partnership which will bring long-term benefits to the region.”
With more than 5,000 engineers in the UK, almost half of whom work within 20 miles of London, Atkins has extensive experience of delivering complex regeneration and development initiatives in the region.
Keith Clarke, Atkins Chief Executive, adds: “As design engineers, we thrive on innovative people creating excellence. With increasing competition to secure the best possible talent, this type of investment is essential to guarantee a strong backbone is maintained for the future of civil engineering.
“Our relationship with the University of Greenwich is already working well and we’re looking forward to working even more closely in the years ahead."
In addition to its sponsorship support, Atkins will offer work placements and graduate employment opportunities to university students in an initiative to recruit and develop gifted engineers and increase the diversity of its workforce.
High-calibre, creative people are also being sought for two further lecturing posts at the University of Greenwich at Medway, specialising in Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Management. These appointments will bring the total number of engineering academics based on the campus at Chatham Maritime to about 40.
To find out more about professional qualifications in engineering at the University of Greenwich at Medway call 080 0005 006, e-mail: courseinfo@gre.ac.uk or see: www.gre.ac.uk/schools/engineering
To find out more about how the University of Greenwich at Medway could help your business call 01634 883 888 or e-mail: first-stop@gre.ac.uk or see: www.gre.ac.uk/business-community