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