What's X-CITED?

X-disciplinary Challenges from Industry for Technical Expert Development (X-CITED) is an EPSRC-funded programme that will develop the skills of Research Technical Professionals (RTPs), supporting them to work with industrial partners in addressing real-world challenges.

About us:

Led by the University of Bath in partnership with the universities of Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, X-CITED is for RTPs by RTPs. Starting in April 2024, over the next three years, the X-CITED programme will become a regional demonstrator for new approaches to professional skills development for the sector.

The project will:

Develop peer networks and Communities of Practice for regional knowledge exchange around key technology specialisms;
Review RTP training opportunities and develop a unique training platform tailored to the needs of RTPs;
Create innovative mechanisms to connect industry with RTPs to progress industry challenge projects that deliver real-world impact;
Establish a Talent Bank of trainee RTPs to foster diverse pathways into technical careers and create capacity for senior RTPs to engage with industry;
Deliver a robust evaluation of the X-CITED programme to disseminate key outcomes and learning.

Definition of RTPs:

“RTPs are specialists who apply their technical knowledge and expertise to advancing research.”

RTP roles include, but are not limited to: Senior Technician, Technical Specialist, Senior Research Technician, Specialist Lead Technician, Database Officer, Research Fellow, Lab Coordinator, Research Nurse, Laboratory Manager, Engineer, Project Manager, Staff Scientist, Data Scientist, Research Software Engineer, Senior Technical Specialist, Specialist Services Research Technician, Senior Research Software Engineer, Senior Data Scientist, Senior Engineer, Senior Project Manager, Specialist Technician / Senior Technical Specialist, Principal Research Software Engineer, Principal Data Scientist, Principal Engineer, Principal Project Manager, Facility Manager, Experimental Officer and Instrument Specialist.

Learn more about what an RTP is via our LinkedIn page here

Explore the programme

Communities of Practice

A female research technical professional works on equipment as part of a research project, in a lab.

Industry Challenge Projects

Talent Bank

X-CITED Events & Development Opportunities

Other Development Opportunities for RTPs

Programme Team and Governance

See our impact: Industrial Challenge Project Sandpit event - 1st-2nd July 2025

Read our latest Blog post from Co-Lead, Nic Whippey here

Contact us:

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Email x-cited@gw4.ac.uk

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The X-CITED programme is revolutionising the way we engage with, and develop, Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) across GW4. Funded by ESPRC and embedded within the GW4 technical community, X-CITED equips RTPs with the skills, networks, and confidence to translate their research into real-world impact.
Through interactive workshops and training opportunities, networking and peer support, and direct collaboration with industry partners, X-CITED provides the tools to navigate personal career pathways for technicians. The wide-reaching programme has also established a model for RTPs to free up time from their main job to engage with the development opportunities being offered, and a mechanism to develop a talent pipeline through the recruitment of junior RTPs.
By championing collaboration and innovation, X-CITED is not just training and supporting the next generation of RTPs – it is shaping future leaders and highlighting the strength of our technical expertise to drive meaningful change across academia, industry, and beyond.
Join us on this exciting journey and be part of a expert community that thinks, acts, and innovates differently!

Prof Anneke Lubben - Director of Research Infrastructure and Facilities, University of Bath