BFTT R&D Project Lead - William Clark & Sons

The opportunity

This post is an exciting opportunity for an experienced post doctorate level engineer or textile technologist to work as the Research & Development (R&D) Project Lead, facilitating a novel collaborative project, between UAL and William Clark & Sons  

The Business of Fashion, Textiles & Technology (BFTT) Partnership is a multi-million pound initiative lead by UAL aimed at accelerating the growth of fashion, textile and technology sector through collaborative R&D partnerships and projects.  

William Clark & Sons has been awarded funding within the BFTT R&D Support Programme. The principal aim of the project is to modernise William Clark & Sons’ beetling equipment and processes, enhancing the sustainability and relevance of the process, coinciding with a move to newly built facilities.  

This will involve establishing a modern, clean and sustainable production environment for the ‘Beetling Engines’, staying true to the traditional, mechanical nature of the process whilst adding the necessary atmospheric controls to achieve the performance standards and consistency required when manufacturing luxury textiles. 

You will also be involved in enabling the development of a stain resistant Beetled Irish Linen collection comprising a variety of weights suitable for use across fashion, accessories and interiors.  Enhancing William Clark & Sons’ sustainability credentials whilst ensuring new collections will comply with the necessary tests and standards to reach international markets. 

About you

We are looking for an individual with a post graduate qualification, or equivalent experience  in the area of mechanical engineering and or textile technology.

You will have knowledge of circularity, energy efficiency and sustainability within the context of textile engineering, with ability to analyse equipment and process and implement improvements keeping in character with the historical Beetling equipment.

Although you will be employed by the University of the Arts London, you will need flexibility to work predominately at/near Maghera, Northern Ireland at the William Clark & Son premises. Some remote working is a possibility, although onsite presence will be critical for the project’s success.

This is a pivotal role in the project and it will be important you have experience managing multi-faceted projects, ideally involving heavy working machinery. You will have Project Management experience including budget management, working in R&D and recording of trials and developments and liaising with suppliers.

The vacancy closing date maybe held earlier than stated if sufficient applicants are received. 

Should you have any queries please get in contact on RKEEstaffrecruitment@arts.ac.uk.

What we offer

We are UAL

University of the Arts London is a vibrant world centre for innovation, drawing together six colleges with international reputations in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts. UAL is a world top-two university for art and design in the QS World University Rankings® 2021. 

William Clark & Sons is one of the world’s oldest companies, but it’s also one of the most progressive. Nearly three centuries ago, an enterprising man called Jackson Clark tried and tested a waterwheel that would drive a simple device called a Beetling Engine.

Today, William Clark & Sons meet the evolving needs of every customer, from furnishers, decorators and fashion designers to users of traditional linen fabric or innovative industrial and technical fabric.

Our culture