NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) advances cohesive and collaborative relationships across various innovation drivers within the NTU community. It seeks to accelerate the University’s efforts in translating scientific discoveries, innovation and creative work into technological and social entrepreneurship activities that benefit industry and society.
The Assistant Director (I&E Fellowship Programme) plays a key role in developing the next generation of deep-tech entrepreneurs by leading NTU’s I&E Fellowship Programme. The role is responsible for identifying, developing and supporting high-potential researchers, equipping them to become technology entrepreneurs and founders of deep-tech ventures. Through programme management, researcher development, venture building, commercialisation and ecosystem engagement, the role contributes to NTU's strategic objective of strengthening research translation and entrepreneurship by enabling researchers to transform innovative research outcomes into scalable startups and successful entrepreneurial career pathways.
The job holder will work closely with researchers, faculty members, NTUitive, national programmes (such as the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme, NGRIP and Activate Global Fellows - Singapore), investors, industry partners, entrepreneurs and other innovation ecosystem stakeholders to build a high-quality pipeline of research-based ventures and support participants from technology validation through venture creation, fundraising and market development.
Responsibilities:
Programme Management
- Lead the design, implementation and continuous development of the programme.
- Develop annual plans, milestones, participant journeys, budgets and operating processes.
- Coordinate programme activities across NTU academic and innovation units and establish mechanisms to monitor participant progress and programme performance.
Recruitment and Development of Entrepreneurial Researchers
- Lead identification, selection and onboarding of high-potential postgraduate researchers from NTU, Singapore and abroad.
- Work with faculty, schools and research centres, as well as other universities to identify candidates.
- Design and coordinate individual development plans covering entrepreneurship, commercialisation, leadership, business development and venture creation.
Venture Building and Commercialisation
- Work closely with the Intellectual Property (IP) Management, Technology Development, Venture Building as well as I&E Ecosystem Development teams at NTU I&E / NTUitive to support researchers in assessing commercial potential, identifying customer needs, developing business models and validating market opportunities.
- Facilitate transition from research to venture, including team formation, IP and licensing discussions, technology validation, customer engagement and go-to-market planning.
Investor, Industry and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with venture capital funds, corporate partners, entrepreneurs, family offices, accelerators, government agencies and other ecosystem partners.
- Organise mentoring, investor and industry engagement and match participants with relevant external stakeholders.
Fundraising and Venture Readiness
- Prepare participants for external fundraising and venture development.
- Coordinate investor-readiness activities, pitch development, financial and business-model preparation, due diligence preparation and investor engagement.
- Support founders in understanding financing options and investor expectations.
Programme Performance, Impact and Continuous Improvement
- Establish and monitor KPIs covering participant progression, venture creation, IP commercialisation, investment, industry engagement and career outcomes.
- Prepare reports and recommendations for NTU management and stakeholders.
- Benchmark against leading university entrepreneurship and researcher-development programmes and implement improvements.
Integration with NGRIP
- Coordinate the programme across NUS and NTU NGRIP contact persons, including recruitment, onboarding, researcher development, engagement with academic supervisors and NGRIP mentors, entrepreneurship activities, and connections to industry and investors. Ensure effective coordination, communication and consistent delivery with NGRIP.
Requirements:
Educational Qualification(s)
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, Business, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, or a related discipline.
- Postgraduate qualification (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field will be an advantage.
Knowledge Required
- Strong knowledge of innovation, entrepreneurship and research commercialisation within a university or research-intensive environment.
- Good understanding of technology transfer, IP management, venture creation and the commercialisation of deep-tech innovations.
- Knowledge of startup formation and growth, including customer discovery, market validation, business model development, go-to-market planning and venture financing.
- Familiarity with entrepreneurial talent development programmes and approaches for supporting researchers and technologists in the transition from research to entrepreneurship.
- Understanding of startup funding ecosystems, investor expectations, fundraising processes and investment readiness requirements.
- Knowledge of stakeholder engagement and partnership development across academia, industry, investor networks and government innovation agencies.
- Knowledge of programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including the use of metrics to assess programme effectiveness and impact.
Relevant Experience
- Minimum 5-7 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: innovation and entrepreneurship programme management, technology transfer, research commercialisation, venture building, startup ecosystem development, entrepreneurial education, venture capital, startup investment, or related innovation-driven initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience in developing, managing and delivering complex innovation, entrepreneurship or commercialisation programmes, with a track record of achieving measurable outcomes and impact.
- Experience working with universities, research institutes, public research organisations, or other research-intensive environments, with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in translating research into commercial and societal outcomes.
- Proven experience supporting the development of early-stage ventures, including technology validation, customer discovery, market development, business model development, fundraising, venture creation, or startup growth.
- Experience engaging and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, faculty members, entrepreneurs, investors, industry partners, government agencies and ecosystem organisations.
- Familiarity with deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, including startup support programmes, incubators, accelerators, venture-building initiatives, or technology commercialisation platforms, will be an advantage.
- International exposure and an established network within the innovation, entrepreneurship, startup, investment or research commercialisation ecosystem are advantageous.
- Experience in securing, managing or facilitating access to funding, grants, investments, or other resources to support innovation, commercialisation and venture development activities will be viewed favourably.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong strategic, entrepreneurial and commercial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities and translate emerging research, technologies and innovations into viable venture and commercialisation pathways.
- Strong programme and project management skills, including the ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple initiatives, stakeholders and deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess early-stage technologies, business opportunities and commercialisation pathways, and make data-informed recommendations.
- Ability to evaluate startup opportunities, identify key commercial assumptions and risks, and support researchers in validating market needs, business models and growth strategies.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to build partnerships and collaborate effectively across academia, industry, investor networks, government agencies and the broader innovation ecosystem.
- Ability to navigate complex organisational environments and achieve outcomes through collaboration, consensus-building and indirect influence rather than formal authority.
- Strong coaching, mentoring and facilitation skills, with the ability to support researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs in their professional, entrepreneurial and venture development journeys.
- Good understanding of startup formation, customer discovery, market validation, venture development, fundraising and investment readiness for early-stage ventures.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including researchers, senior management, entrepreneurs, investors and industry partners.
Other Personal Attributes
- Self-motivated, resourceful and adaptable, with a strong sense of initiative and the ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in driving programme outcomes.
- Entrepreneurial, innovative and intellectually curious, with a strong interest in the translation of research and emerging technologies into real-world applications and venture opportunities.
- Passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship and research commercialisation, with a genuine commitment to creating economic and societal impact through university research and innovation.
- Results-oriented and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to drive initiatives from concept to implementation while delivering measurable outcomes.
- Supportive and people-focused, with a genuine interest in developing researchers, aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage venture teams, and enabling their growth and success.
- Demonstrates sound judgement, initiative and resourcefulness, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, identify opportunities and respond effectively to evolving priorities and challenges.
- Collaborative and relationship-oriented, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and build trusted partnerships with academic, industry, investor and ecosystem stakeholders.
- Influential and persuasive, with the ability to build consensus, gain stakeholder buy-in and drive outcomes through collaboration rather than formal authority.
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced innovation environment where priorities and opportunities may evolve rapidly.
- Credible and confident in engaging with highly technical researchers, with the curiosity and ability to quickly understand new technologies, research domains and emerging market opportunities.
- Globally minded and culturally sensitive, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders across different backgrounds, disciplines and international contexts.
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Hiring Institution: NTU
