Woven Textile Designer/ Technologist | Robert Gordon University and Harris Tweed Hebrides Ltd.
This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious graduate in Textiles as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate on a 2 -year collaborative project between Harris Tweed Hebrides and Robert Gordon University (Gray’s School of Art and School of Creative and Cultural Business).
KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) supports partnerships between business and universities or research organisations, placing graduates (KTP Associates) to work on innovative high-profile projects.
The post will be based at the company premises at Shawbost Mill, North Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis. The post holder will design and innovate in new woven fabric development that will test the current business model and manufacturing processes to facilitate step-changes in design, manufacture & branding, to produce new fabrics that minimise seasonality and maximise sustainability.
The successful candidate will receive extensive practical and formal training, gain marketable skills, broaden their knowledge and expertise within an industrially relevant project, and gain valuable experience from industrial and academic mentors. The KTP Associate will benefit from a Personal Development Budget of £4,000.
Candidates must ideally possess a Master’s degree in Textile Design or Textile Technology within woven textiles, or a strongly related discipline. However, those with 1st Class Honours degree in the above disciplines should also apply for this post.
The candidate will be expected to have an interest in island culture and living as they will be located on the Isle of Lewis for the duration of the project. They should be self-motivated with an ability to work independently and to tight deadlines within a dynamic and small team environment.
In addition, they must have experience of working in the textile industry, in particular designing within the woven lambswool market. Knowledge of international markets (in particular European, Far East & US) would be an advantage.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, as the ideal candidate must be able to communicate effectively with a range of different individuals. i.e. technical, academic, business and customers. Team working and flexibility will be a key requirement.
Click here for more information on this post and how to apply
Closing date: 8th October 2020
Informal enquires are welcome. Please contact Josie Steed – j.steed@rgu.ac.uk
AMMA Natural Textiles, is a social enterprise championing the tradition of hand weaving in Nuwara Eliya, a tea estate region in Sri Lanka. AMMA was founded by Josie Mackenzie who was curious to explore the role natural dyes play in the Sri Lankan textile industry and how, when used in combination with handloom could contribute to providing livelihood creation for women living rurally.
