Internship (Undergraduate)- Software/Hardware Engineer in Human Studies

Country: United Kingdom
Location: Southampton
Function: Scientific Research & Development
Level: Internship
Appointment Type: Fixed Term

British American Tobacco is a global business going through a hugely dynamic period in our 100+ year history. With consumers seeking more choice with expectations above traditional cigarettes, now is an exciting time to have a real say in what we do - A chance to feel the international impact of your work and the responsibility to own what really matter to our consumers. All sides of the business is fully thriving, from our traditional tobacco roots, which we have proudly grown into a market-leading enterprise, to our business in developing brand-new products that promote choice, where innovation thrives. What’s best about our evolution is that science is at the heart of all of it. Our global R&D teams uncover the facts and drive us forward using the most cutting-edge technologies. We have over 200 different scientific methods – from analytical chemistry and toxicological profiling to future casting and battery design. Why work here? Because we’re not just any FMCG company: we’re industry leaders, game changers, world shapers.
 
 About the Placement Scheme

In the UK, we offer 12-months placement - starting 1^st of September - opportunities to undergraduate students looking to gain practical experience within a vibrant and innovative industrial setting. As part of the scheme, you will be partnered with a mentor, have regular reviews with your Line Manager and work on projects that impact the business.
 
Training and development is provided throughout the placement with successful applicants having multiple opportunities to develop transferable skills in addition to gaining ‘hands on’ experience in a technical discipline.
 
As part of the scheme students get a chance to cultivate their independent thinking and problem solving skills in addition to working in and contributing to a team. Cross functional/department working and participation in other research activities is also encouraged, where appropriate. Previous work experience in a practical ‘hands-on’ role would be useful but not essential.

Job purpose

The intern will be provided with the test harness developed as proof of concept for a monitored e-cig device to collect consumer use-behaviour data.  They will be responsible to convert this proof of concept harness to a consumer usable monitored device that can be used by consumers.  Perform a proof of application study with real life consumers, collate and analyse the data.  In the process it is expected that the intern will explore options to future proof the ‘monitored device’ so that it can be used across device variants. 

The intern in planning and executing this project will develop an understanding of the process of turning a PoC harness into an article that is easy to use for the consumers/participants – whilst keeping an eye on cost, so that the article can be incorporated into a commercial device.

They will have to become cognizant of all the regulations governing collecting consumer data and gain the skills required to collate the data whilst maintaining end-to-end traceability and storing the data in line with R&D data life cycle. There will also be an opportunity to learn consumer research methods used by the Human Studies team in planning and executing a consumer study.

On completion of the field work the intern will be required to compile a report summarising the output from the study and make recommendations for further future work.  They will also develop presentation skills required to disseminate the learning to a varied audience.

Key Accountabilities

Suitable intern for this project will be a hardware/software engineer with skills to assemble the technology on a board that can replace the existing board in ePen3 and develop the required software to transmit and capture the data on to the cloud via a mobile app. 

They will also need to test the ‘use behaviour’ data platform that will download the data from the cloud on to a terminal in Central R&D and provide access to this ‘Big Data’ for robust analysis and graphical output.  

An appetite for mathematics, data analysis and computational science will be beneficial.

Requirements

• Act commercially and is consumer centric – This project will provide the intern with an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of consumers, customers, opportunities and risks to drive business growth.
• Drives and owns results – Deliver exceptional results by executing with excellence the delivery of consumer test device, fieldwork collecting and analysing the data and following through to demonstrate understanding consumer behaviour.
• Leads change and innovates – Challenge the status quo of using desk-based instrumentation and demonstrate the value of device in-built technology to improve and continuously innovate.
• Previous experience in building hardware/software solution to solve a real-life challenge will be desirable.

Benefits

• Salary of £18,200 per annum
• Subsidised gym membership (£15 per month)
• Subsidised lunches
• 25 days annual leave
• Free on-site parking
• Participation in the Discretionary Company Bonus Scheme
• Participation in the Company Share Reward Scheme
• Participation in the Company Pension Scheme
• Private Healthcare Cover
• Eligibility for Company Flexible Benefits Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

Deadlines
If you wish to be considered for any of the roles please ensure that your application is in by at the very latest the 14^th of November 2020. Early applications are recommended and roles may be filled as suitable candidates are identified (potentially before the 14th November 2020 final closing date).

Information
Further information on the science carried out at British American Tobacco can be seen at www.bat-science.com

Candidates will need to have:
• A relevant undergraduate degree (see individual placement opportunities), with a minimum predicted grade of 2:1
• The right to live and work in the UK
• IT skills e.g. use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

British American Tobacco is one of the world’s leading multinational companies, with brands sold in over 200 markets, made in 44 factories in 42 countries.

We are proud that we are consistently among the top 5 companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Our portfolio includes our world-famous Global Drive Brands – Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall and Rothmans – along with many other leading international brands, such as Vogue, Peter Stuyvesant and State Express 555.

Alongside our traditional tobacco business, we are also developing products that offer consumers potentially less risky alternatives to regular cigarettes. Our Next Generation Products are already leading the way in the Industry of vapour and tobacco heating devices. We continue to develop a solid portfolio of consumer solutions which already include well known global brands like Vype, glo and Voke.

Contractual Legal Entity: BAT (Investments) Limited (GBIN)