Thursday 30 October, 2025
Aston University and Index.dev form a strategic partnership to streamline the recruitment process for technology professionals.
Leading academic institute Aston University and UK-based global recruitment firm Index.dev have joined forces to revolutionize the process of hiring software engineers. The two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project, funded by Innovate UK, aims to utilize the latest artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of finding and hiring software engineers.
The project will bring together Index.dev’s expertise in connecting businesses with skilled technology professionals from around the world, with Aston Business School’s research proficiency in AI and business development. Index.dev currently assists companies in the UK, US, and Europe in hiring software engineers from a network of more than 20,000 vetted professionals primarily based in Latin America and Eastern Europe.
The partnership will see Aston Business School’s academic experts collaborate with Index.dev to develop smarter search and matching tools for its online recruitment platform. These advanced tools will make the recruitment process faster, more accurate, and more user-friendly for employers, allowing them to find the right candidates for specialized roles more efficiently. Unlike traditional methods that rely on simple techniques like keyword matching, the Aston-developed algorithms will consider the full context of a jobseeker’s CV and experience, ensuring that no potential candidate is overlooked. The AI system will also comply with emerging global standards to ensure transparency.
Furthermore, the project will explore ways to transform Index.dev into a more interactive and community-driven platform, using Aston University’s researchers’ expertise in business development and behavioral psychology. By introducing new and improved methods for employers and candidates to connect online, the partnership aims to enhance the platform’s usefulness for both parties and create a network effect, where users attract other users. The Aston researchers will also assist Index.dev in improving and reducing the cost of crucial technical features, such as its global payment systems.
Professor Joshua Ignatius, professor of business analytics at Aston Business School and academic lead for the project, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “This project is about building something scalable and future-ready. We’re bringing together data science, behavioral research, and strategies to improve their platform, which will help Index.dev rethink its operations and offerings to its users and clients. It’s a chance to put fundamental academic research into real-world action and support a company with enormous potential for growth.”
Andrei Stan, the project’s KTP associate and Index.dev’s director of strategy, echoed Professor Ignatius’ sentiments, stating, “The KTP has been an excellent way to bring external expertise into our business at a critical time. We’re continuously experimenting, learning, and improving – and everything we’re doing is helping us shape a platform with real global potential. It has also validated our belief that this model can work and scale.”
KTPs, funded by Innovate UK, are collaborations between a business, a university, and a highly qualified research associate. The UK-wide program aims to help businesses enhance their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology, and skills. Aston University, ranked first for project quality and joint first for active projects, is a leading KTP provider in the sector.
For further information on Aston University’s KTPs, please visit https://www.aston.ac.uk/business/collaborate-with-us/knowledge-transfer-partnership/at-work.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Aston University
Aston University has been making a positive impact on society through education, research, and innovation for over 130 years. The university’s history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, which was once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now serves as the thriving base for a globally significant innovation ecosystem that Aston is co-creating.
Aston University’s vision is to be a leading university for science, technology, and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact it achieves for its people, students, businesses, and the communities it serves.
The university focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has a tangible impact on society, with breakthroughs in medicine, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of businesses.
Aston University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for its students, Aston University’s reputation continues to grow. The university was named the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success in 2025, ranks second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and ranks in the top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
As the world rapidly changes, Aston University is defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.