Director - Research & Development, Innovation (AI/ML)

Position Summary   The Director – Research and Development, Innovation (AI/ML) will lead the strategic vision, development, and execution of research and innovation initiatives in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and allied emerging technologies. The incumbent will be responsible for establishing a robust research ecosystem, driving institutional innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaborations, and positioning Accurate Group of Institutions as a hub for technological advancement and applied research excellence.  Key Responsibilities:   1. Strategic Leadership   Develop and implement a long-term roadmap for AI/ML-focused research and innovation.  Establish and manage the AI and Innovation Research Centre at the institution.  Promote a culture of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship among faculty and students.  Define research priorities aligned with national and global technology trends.  2. Research & Development   Identify, initiate, and oversee cutting-edge research projects in AI, ML, Data Science, and related fields.  Facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations between departments.  Guide faculty and students in developing research proposals, publishing in reputed journals, and filing patents.  Manage sponsored and consultancy projects, ensuring quality outputs and deliverables.  Pursue national and international funding opportunities (DST, AICTE, MSME, DRDO, etc.).  3. Innovation & Industry Collaboration   Build partnerships with industry leaders, R&D organizations, and startups for collaborative projects, technology transfers, and internships.  Encourage innovation through hackathons, ideation challenges, and incubation programs.  Drive institutional participation in AI/ML-focused innovation forums, conferences, and exhibitions.  Establish frameworks for intellectual property management and commercialization of institutional research outputs.  4. Academic Integration & Capacity Building   Support curriculum enhancement by integrating AI/ML-based learning, certifications, and projects.  Organize workshops, FDPs, and training sessions to upskill faculty and students in emerging technologies.  Mentor research scholars and student innovators to undertake socially and industrially relevant AI/ML projects.  Collaborate with academic leadership to align R&D goals with institutional vision and accreditation requirements.  5. Administration & Reporting   Monitor progress and outcomes of ongoing research projects and innovation initiatives.  Prepare reports, proposals, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.  Ensure compliance with institutional, regulatory, and ethical research standards.  Represent the institution at academic and industry forums, conferences, and policy dialogues.  Qualifications & Experience:   Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or related field.  Minimum 5 years of experience in AI/ML, research, innovation, or academic leadership roles.  Proven track record of publications, patents, funded projects, or product innovations in AI/ML.  Demonstrated experience in leading R&D initiatives, securing research funding, and managing cross-functional teams.  Strong industry-academia network and understanding of emerging AI/ML applications.  Skills & Competencies:   Expertise in AI/ML frameworks and technologies (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, etc.)  Strong research methodology and project management skills  Strategic vision with innovation-driven mindset  Excellent communication, mentoring, and leadership capabilities  Ability to foster collaborations and partnerships at national and international levels