Strategic Technical Platform Projects

The Strategic Technical Platform Projects

Nurturing specialists

Collectively, these projects offer a range of interdisciplinary platforms that will nurture specialists applying these skills to scientific and engineering challenges, and provide systematic support to the RTP community.

Their work will include both physical and digital training and development in UK universities that has a strategic regional or national focus, and is based around a group of institutions or a particular scientific field or technology.

All 11 projects will benefit from EPSRC’s extensive experience in supporting:

• research software engineers
• data wrangling
• facility managers
• equipment specialists
• community development

National Platform for RTPs on AI for Science and Engineering (NPRAISE)

Establish a national and interdisciplinary platform that nurtures a community of RTPs who specialise in developing and applying AI to scientific and engineering challenges by providing:

• training
• support
• development opportunities
• advocacy

Led by: Jeyan Thiyagalingam, Science and Technologies and Facilities Council (STFC) laboratories.

STEP-UP – a Strategic TEchnical Platform for University technical Professionals

STEP-UP is building a regional, London-basedplatform to support the development of communities, skills and career opportunities for “digital Research Technical Professionals” (dRTPs). The project is working to develop a more professional, diverse and inclusive research technical community across the areas of research software, research data and research computing infrastructure. Support provided includes training, events, networking, mentoring, career enhancement/bridging placements and a digital Research Technical Champions scheme.

Opportunities include: Training and Skills Development, Placements, Networking, Events, Career Development, Mentoring, funded Digital Research Technical Champions

Eligibility: STEP-UP is primarily providing support for “digital Research Technical Professionals” (dRTPs) and researchers working with research software, research data and research computing infrastructure, in the London region and beyond.

Website: https://step-up.ac.uk/
Contact: info@step-up.ac.uk

People in data

Will convene a community of data professionals across the UK to encourage knowledge sharing, build capacity through centralising and developing training resources and work as a community to support and professionalise specialist data science roles.

Led by: Ann-Marie Mallon, The Alan Turing Institute

UKRAS-STEPS – UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategic Technical Platform

The UK RAS Strategic Technical Platform (STEPS), is a UK-wide initiative dedicated to empowering Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) working in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. As part of the wider UK Robotics community, STEPS supports professional development through fully funded training, placements, workshops, networking activities and international collaboration. Join our community here.

Opportunities include: Training and Skills Development, Funding Opportunities, Placements, Networking, Events, Career Development, Mentoring, International Knowledge Exchange Visits

Eligibility: Research Technical Professionals working in or with robotics and autonomous systems within UK universities or RTOs. We have members from across all disciplines, including engineering, life sciences, medicine and the arts.

Website: https://www.ukras-steps.org 
Contact: ukras-steps@leeds.ac.uk

Meet Future Needs of Antenna Measurements and Radio Frequency Characterization for Changing Research Culture (MUSCAT)

MUSCAT will boost the number of RTPs with the key technical skill sets essential to meet the needs of the wireless infrastructure strategy, the UK science and technology framework by 2030, and the upcoming surge in wireless technological advancements.

Led by: Max Munoz, Queen Mary University London

Developing technical capability and capacity for UK secure data environments

Will work to attract individuals who want to apply technical skills to a societal cause at different career stages and build a community of RTPs across the north-west of England. Will also work to provide at least six short-term student placements for those studying on undergraduate or masters programmes in relevant subjects.

Led by: Philip Couch, The University of Manchester

Development of a national facility and technical training hub for ‘biomolecule engineering’

This project will unite a collaborative team of internationally recognised RTPs with wide-ranging expertise in the area of biomolecule engineering, across the fields of biology, chemistry, automation and computation, and develop a national facility and technical training hub.

Led by: Derren Heyes, The University of Manchester

National Technical Platform for Materials Innovation (NTPMI)

The National Technical Platform for Materials Innovation (NTPMI) empowers Research Technical Professionals (RTPs), providing access to training and events, and the opportunity to share expertise and develop best practice, across materials innovation and associated manufacturing technology communities. NTPMI is led by the Henry Royce Institute and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). NTPMI delivers training, development, professional networking, and secondment  opportunities across the UK’s materials innovation community, and in the process increasing RTP visibility.

Opportunities include: Training and Skills Development, Funding Opportunities, Placements, Networking, Events, Career Development

Eligibility: Research Technical Professionals working in the Materials Innovation field

Website: https://www.royce.ac.uk/programmes/national-technical-platform-for-materials-innovation/
Contact: Duncan.forster@manchester.ac.uk

TSN ROKS: Delivering knowledge, skills and opportunities to RTPs nationally leveraging the UK Technology Specialist Network

TSN ROKS (Technology Specialists Network: Research Technical Professional Opportunities, Knowledge and Skills) is an EPSRC-funded initiative supporting Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) working within EPSRC-related fields. It provides funding, training and professional-development opportunities to strengthen technical skills, expand UK-wide networks and improve career prospects. Activities include outreach funding, undergraduate placements, facility days, proposal-writing workshops, international conference bursaries, equipment sharing and demand-led training. Overall, TSN ROKS promotes recognition, collaboration and knowledge exchange among technical specialists.

Opportunities include: Training and Skills Development, Funding Opportunities, Placements, Networking, Events, Career Development

Eligibility: Technical professionals nationwide who work in EPSRC related fields

Website: TSN ROKS – UK ITSS
Contact: kay.doncom@warwick.ac.uk

​Technical Platform for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (T-PIKE)

T-PIKE (Technical Platform for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange) is an EPSRC-funded Strategic Technical Platform that connects technical professionals from the Eastern Arc universities with industry to drive innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. It provides technicians with access to funded projects, training, mentoring, placements, shadowing opportunities, and specialist networks that support professional and leadership development. Through partnerships between universities and external organisations, T-PIKE helps technical staff expand their expertise, raise the profile of technical careers, develop new skills, and contribute to real-world solutions that deliver economic and societal impact.

Opportunities include: Training and Skills Development, Funding Opportunities, Placements, Networking, Events, Career Development, Mentoring, Knowledge Exchange Placements

Eligibility: Technical professionals working in the Eastern Arc universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and Sussex

Website: www.tpike.ac.uk
Contact: tpike@easternarc.ac.uk

X-CITED

The X-CITED programme is building communities of RTPs across the GW4 alliance, with in-person networking events and funding for knowledge exchange placements. We are providing training opportunities in the form of a tailored training schedule and funding for bespoke training needs. We are developing links between RTPs and industrial colleagues via our Industry Connection Programme, which is also aiming to develop the skills and increase the confidence of RTPs engaging with industry opportunities.

Opportunities include: Training and Skills Development, Funding Opportunities, Networking, Events, Career Development, Opportunities with Industry

Eligibility: If you are an RTP based at the University of Bath, the University of Bristol, Cardiff University or the University of Exeter, we’d be X-CITED to have you on board.

Website: https://gw4.ac.uk/x-cited/
Contact: x-cited@gw4.ac.uk