Head - Research Alliances

About Aspire - IITB Research Park Foundation (IITBRPF):In 2016, the Ministry of Education entrusted IIT Bombay with a pivotal mission: to establish the Research Park within the sprawling campus in Powai, Mumbai. This led to the creation of ASPIRE – the IIT Bombay Research Park Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to catalysing innovation and research with real-world impact.Inspired by globally successful research park models, ASPIRE (Applied Science Park for Innovation Research & Entrepreneurship) emerges as the epicenter, that connects knowledge, expertise, and resources seamlessly, fostering a strong and collaborative industry-academia ecosystem with a global outlook.We cultivate R&D partnerships which evolve into a thriving innovation hub, advancing technologies with meaningful societal impact. Our industry-centric workspaces facilitate collaborative development, while students gain invaluable corporate research exposure, enriching the nation’s talent pool. It’s a dynamic ecosystem where academia, industry, and students converge to drive innovation and uphold academic excellence.Job Description:Provide strategic leadership to position ASPIRE as the preferred partner for industry–academia collaboration. Shape and drive a long-term research alliance strategy that integrates industry needs and academic strengths into a unified, high-impact engagement portfolio at IIT Bombay. Ensure that initiatives are feasible and viable, while building enduring relationships that advance IIT Bombay’s research translation strategy and member companies’ value.Roles and Responsibilities:Define and drive the research alliances strategy, aligning industry needs and academic connections into a cohesive, long-term roadmap.Cultivate senior-level relationships with industry R&D and academia to unlock long-term collaborations.Oversee the translation of emerging industry trends into research engagements with IIT Bombay academia.Guide academic engagement to convert high-potential research and technologies into industry adoption through projects/pilots.Collaborate with industry and external facing entities within IIT Bombay (SINE, EO, etc.) and enable presenting a combined value proposition to customers. Provide leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to direct reports, ensuring role clarity, collaboration, and delivery excellence.Success Indicators:Stakeholder satisfaction: Positive feedback from member companies, faculty, and institute collaborators.Increase in industry-sponsored engagements (projects, consultancy, grants, partnerships).Growth in long-term high-value partnerships spanning industry, academia, and government.Measurable impact from flagship events — effective management with documented outcomes.Expansion of cross-disciplinary collaborations with demonstrable external traction.Skills and Expertise:Preferred experience of eight to ten years post Ph.D. qualification.Strong customer service mindset.Strong interpersonal and team-building skills.Technical expertise in their domain.Strategic thinking - Research, Innovation models.Creativity, problem-solving mindset.We are an equal-opportunity employer.

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