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 industryacademia 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.