Research Alliances and Executive Operations Intern

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:

We are looking for a highly proactive, organized, and detail-oriented Research Alliances and Executive Operations Intern to work directly with the Head of Research Alliances. In this high-visibility role, you will act as part of the operational spine of the Research Alliances team. You will take ownership of day-to-day logistics, research preparation, partner documentation, and meeting coordination—allowing executive leadership to focus on strategic decision-making and high-level corporate partnerships. The internship duration will be for six months.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1.Executive and Administrative Logistics

● Calendar & Meeting Coordination: Manage scheduling, agenda distribution, and logistics for meetings with external corporate R&D leaders, IIT Bombay faculty, and internal stakeholders.

● Stakeholder & Guest Management: Handle site visit logistics, room bookings, campus access passes, and hospitality for visiting industry delegations at the ASPIRE building.

● Action-Item Tracking: Attend strategic partnership discussions, take concise Minutes of Meeting (MoMs), and track post-meeting deliverables to ensure timely execution.

2. Research, Analysis and Briefings

● Partner Dossier Preparation: Perform preliminary secondary research on prospective partner companies (R&D focus areas, life sciences/tech alignment, key decision-makers) and summarize findings into 1-page briefing notes prior to leadership meetings.

● Ecosystem Scanning: Assist in tracking deep-tech industry trends, university-industry collaboration models, and potential government funding schemes.

3.Partnership and Pipeline Operations

● CRM & Lead Tracking: Maintain and update the Research Alliances pipeline (lead status, contact history, NDA status, proposal stages).

● Documentation Management: Coordinate the draft movement of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), and alliance agreements between internal legal teams and corporate partners.

● Database Management: Maintain an updated repository of IIT Bombay research capabilities, faculty expertise, and available labs/facilities at ASPIRE.

4. Event and Outreach Support

● Logistical support for industry-academia meets, roundtables, corporate immersion workshops, and co-location campus tours.

● Help draft outreach communications, follow-up emails, and monthly internal status dashboards.

Desired Qualifications, Skills and Expertise:

● Educational Background: Final-year undergraduate, post-graduate, or MBA student (Biotech/Life Sciences, Engineering, Corporate Management, or General Sciences preferred).

● Operational Discipline: Exceptional time-management skills, high attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tracking threads simultaneously without losing context.

● Tech Stack: Proficiency in Google Workspace / MS Office (Docs/Sheets/Slides), to do, planner (task tracking), and basic CRM usage.

● Professional Appearance & Grooming: Well-groomed, polished, executive demeanor and appearance suitable for representing ASPIRE office and Research Alliances team in high-level corporate and academic settings.

● Communication & Eloquence: Highly well-spoken with outstanding oral and written English communication skills; comfortable, articulate, and professional when interacting with senior executives, industry leaders, and academic leaders.

● Interpersonal Demeanor: Confident, collaborative, driven yet easygoing personality, capable of handling high-pressure operational environments with composure, tact, and adaptability.

● Mindset: Discretion with confidential partner details, a high degree of ownership, and an eagerness to learn about deep-tech innovation ecosystems.

What the Intern Gains:

1. Direct Executive Mentorship: Work hand-in-hand with senior leadership at the intersection of life sciences, deep tech, and industry alliances.

2. High-Level Exposure: Front-row seat to corporate R&D negotiations, tech-transfer strategies, and the IIT Bombay ecosystem.

3. Career Launchpad: Hands-on experience in program management, alliance building, and executive operations.

4. Certificate of Completion & Recommendation: Based on performance and contribution.

We are an equal-opportunity employer.