Principal Research Engineer II, Technology-Business Development Office, IAIC

About A*STAR

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) drives mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation. Through its research institutes, A*STAR develops deep tech capabilities and translates them into economic and societal impact for Singapore.The Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R) is a leading ICT research institute focused on Artificial Intelligence, Data, Communications, and digital technologies. Under the Data, AI & Compute (DAC) Sector, I²R drives cutting-edge R&D and its translation into industry adoption, startups, and national capabilities.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to take on the role of Deputy Director, Venture Creation and Sector Development. This role will drive the identification, incubation, and formation of new ventures from I²R’s DAC research portfolio, while strengthening sector-level partnerships and ecosystem engagement to accelerate commercialization outcomes.The candidate will work at the intersection of research, commercialization, venture building, and industry development, translating advanced technologies into venture-ready opportunities and enabling stronger market pathways for impact.

Key Responsibilities

Venture Creation

• Identify and evaluate venture opportunities from I²R’s DAC technologies and intellectual property.
• Develop compelling venture theses, including customer problem definition, value proposition, market opportunity, and competitive positioning.
• Lead front-end venture creation activities such as market validation, customer discovery, and business model design.
• Drive venture formation processes, including spin-off readiness, team formation, and commercialization pathway development.
• Prepare and present venture cases for internal review and approval.

Sector Development & Ecosystem Engagement

• Develop and execute strategies to strengthen I²R’s positioning within the Data-AI-Compute sector.
• Build and manage relationships with corporates, ecosystem partners, government agencies, and innovation platforms.Identify sector trends, market needs, and whitespace opportunities to inform venture creation and research translation.
• Facilitate co-innovation, partnership development, and pathways for market adoption of DAC technologies.

Market & Opportunity Development

• Conduct market sensing, industry engagement, and opportunity mapping across priority DAC domains.
• Translate market insights into actionable venture opportunities and commercialization strategies.
• Support prioritization of opportunities based on market attractiveness, strategic alignment, and impact potential.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with research teams, commercialization units, and IP/legal teams to align venture creation with sector priorities.
• Bridge internal stakeholders to ensure effective translation of research into market-ready opportunities.
• Support the development of structured processes for venture evaluation, incubation, and sector engagement.

Performance & Reporting

• Build and manage a pipeline of venture opportunities and sector initiatives.
• Track and report key metrics, including:Venture opportunities identified and developed
• Venture cases validated and prepared for spin-offSector partnerships established
• Commercial and strategic outcomes achieved
• Prepare management updates, strategy papers, and decision materials.

Requirements

Education

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• MBA or equivalent experience in business, strategy, or commercialization is an advantage.

Experience

• At least 10–15 years of relevant experience in areas such as:Venture creation, startup incubation, or venture buildingDeep tech commercialization or technology transferIndustry or sector developmentInnovation strategy or corporate innovation
• Demonstrated experience in translating technology or research into commercial opportunities.
• Track record of working across technical, business, and ecosystem stakeholders.

Technical & Domain Knowledge

• Strong understanding of one or more of the following:Artificial Intelligence / Machine LearningGenerative AI and data platformsCloud, edge, or distributed computingEnterprise software and digital infrastructure
• Ability to engage effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.

Competencies

• Strong venture opportunity assessment and commercialization skills
• Experience in market validation, customer discovery, and business model development
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building capabilities
• Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in a venture studio, accelerator, tech transfer office, or innovation agency
• Strong network within the startup, investor, and industry ecosystem
• Familiarity with Singapore’s research and innovation ecosystem
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape and build ventures from frontier AI, data, and compute technologies
• Exposure to a vibrant innovation ecosystem spanning research, industry, and startups
• A collaborative environment with leading scientists, engineers, and industry partners
• The chance to contribute to Singapore’s deep tech and digital economy growth