Introduction
ETH Zurich is one of the leading universities of the world with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems.
The Singapore-ETH Centre is home to a community of doctoral, postdoctoral and professorial researchers working in three main programmes: Future Cities Laboratory, Future Resilient Systems, and Future Health Technologies. The centre provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment to researchers working on diverse themes, with the shared vision of translating research to practical solutions for more sustainable and liveable cities, resilient physical and social urban systems, and patient-centric healthcare systems.
We are looking to hire a resourceful and motivated individual, who is passionate to support the international collaboration to cross exchange and drive meaningful impactful research and innovation through research programmes and projects under the RIE2025-RIE2030 plan.
The role will support the partnerships and innovation function which supports the Centre Director, research strategy and programme development, corporate reporting and external/internal stakeholder engagements for partnerships. You will work closely with key stakeholders internally and externally to achieve the outcomes of SEC’s current and future strategy, to create impact on the Singapore research ecosystem as well as bring benefit to the Swiss ecosystem.
This position is available until December 31, 2025, with the potential for extension based on performance and organizational needs.
Job Description:
As a partnerships and innovation manager, your key responsibilities will include:
1. Partnership and Innovation Support
- Partnership Logistics: Assist in managing the logistics of partnership interactions, including scheduling partnership meetings, and maintaining a database of current and potential partners.
- Contact management: Support the maintenance of record and management of partnerships and contacts in CRM, with the programmes management teams.
- Event Coordination: Work with cross departments and programmes to organize workshops, seminars, and other events that facilitate innovation or strengthen partnerships. This includes handling logistics, invitations, participant lists, and event feedback.
- Innovation Scouting: Support the role in innovation scouting by keeping track of innovation trends and reporting on relevant findings from conferences, journals, and industry news. – Distribution of info to internal stakeholders. Assist in follow up as necessary.
- Cross-functional collaboration: work with cross functional teams to support the development of future strategic initiatives, talent retention and development, impact showcases and publicity.
2. Administrative Support
- Meeting Coordination: Schedule and organize meetings, ensuring all participants have the necessary information and materials. This includes setting up video conferences, booking rooms, and preparing agendas.
- Document Management: Handle the creation, formatting, and editing of documents, presentations, and reports. This also involves maintaining a filing system for strategic documents, updates, and innovation projects.
- Communication Handling to internal and external stakeholders: Support incoming and outgoing communications and ensuring messages are passed on accurately and promptly.
3. Strategic Project Assistance
- Research Support: Conduct background research needed for strategic planning and project execution. This can include market analysis, competitor benchmarks, and gathering data on potential partners.
- Partnerships support: Support planning and outreach of Swiss faculty interests for building new and expanding SEC’s current programmes across multiple research themes and topics of strategic alignment across Swiss and Singapore multiple stakeholders.
- Project Tracking: Assist in monitoring the progress of strategic initiatives, using project management tools to keep track of deadlines, milestones, and deliverables.
- Process and workflow documentation: develop and update research coordination, partnership and proposal development guidelines and standards aligning to current Singapore research ecosystem practices for reference.
- Preparation of Materials: Prepare briefing papers, and presentation materials for strategic meetings, ensuring all necessary information is compiled and presented clearly.
Key Selection Criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
- Prior experience working in a local research institution/university, and building/managing research programmes under a Singapore public agency or a research/tech institution.
- Familiarity with Singapore’s RIE and broader R&D ecosystem.
- Ability to connect the dots and identify common themes and synergies across multiple discussions and stakeholders.
- Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, with strong attention to detail.
- Independent individual with strong follow-up and ability to work across diverse cross-functional teams.
- Strong analytical and communication skills to source and compile information to facilitate communication and info dissemination.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
- Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with office and project management software.
We look forward to receiving your online application including a comprehensive CV, cover letter and contact information of at least two references.
Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
Work location: 1 Create Way, CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602 (NUS University Town)
Salary Range: SGD5,500 - SGD7,000.
Further information about The Singapore-ETH Centre can be found on our website: https://sec.ethz.ch/
The Singapore-ETH-Centre is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. All candidates will be evaluated on their merits and qualifications, without regards to gender, race, age or religion.
