Subject Matter Expert

impactDash is conducting a comprehensive Skill Gap Assessment Study to map workforce needs across India's life sciences sector. The scope of the study covers pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and R&D subsectors, aiming to identify emerging job roles, workforce vulnerabilities, and skill gaps.We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Skill Gap Assessment Study in India’s Life Sciences sector, commissioned by LSSSDC. The SME will provide advisory-level guidance across the project lifecycle to ensure sectoral accuracy, methodological rigour, and actionable recommendations. The role includes validating research tools, assuring data quality, interpreting findings to surface workforce insights, and co-creating strategies such as QP revisions, modular skilling pathways, and industry–academia collaboration. SME is expected to contribute to strategy co-creation, stakeholder engagement, and report building.Key Responsibilities:Provide sectoral and technical expertise to guide project implementation, ensuring alignment with study goals and LSSSDC priorities.Advise on the design and validation of research tools (surveys, interview guides, analytical frameworks) to ensure sector relevance and measurement validity.Leverage industry wide network and encourage them to participate in studyInterpret findings to identify hiring frictions, automation risks, curriculum misalignments, and credential/experience challenges across sub-sectors.Participate as a sector expert in stakeholder consultations, interviews, FGDs, and regional validation workshops.Co-create recommendations for QP revisions, modular training, policy advocacy, and industry–academia partnerships.Planning and coordinationCollaborate with the Project Lead to align research milestones, field plans, and validation checkpoints with the study schedule.Review sampling frames, tool piloting plans, and risk registers for methodological soundness and feasibility.Analytical guidanceGuide the analysis approach, defining which indicators to use and how to organise data for demand–supply studies.Check and confirm that the interpretation of numerical data (such as regression results) and qualitative patterns is accurate and makes sense for the life sciences sector.Help turn analysis results into clear, practical workforce and skill development strategies that consider industry rules and realities.Stakeholder engagementCoordinating closely with LSSSDC to align study processes and stakeholder interactions.Providing inputs that help validate preliminary findings and refine final recommendations.Participating actively in regional validation workshops across key cities (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata).Supporting the organization and facilitation of validation workshops and stakeholder discussions to ensure broad-based buy-in and credibility.Deliverables supportAdvisory support on inception report, research tools (surveys, IDI/FGD guides, validation rubrics), and methodological notes.Review of interim findings, validation feedback, and sectoral recommendations for final report and briefs.Advisory contribution to action plans on QP revisions, modular training programs, and partnership roadmaps.Guidance on data analysis and evidence synthesis.Participation and inputs during stakeholder validation workshops.Desirable:The ideal candidate will bring a combination of sectoral expertise, workforce development experience, and consulting/advisory skills. Specifically:Minimum 7–12 years of experience in one or more life sciences sub-sectors (pharma, biotech, medtech, diagnostics, R&D).Strong familiarity with workforce trends, regulatory environments, and skill requirements, including emerging areas such as digital QA, bioprocessing, regulatory compliance, and automation readiness.Experience in public health, vocational skilling, workforce planning, or policy advisory (preferably with NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, MSDE, or industry consortia).Preference for background in management consulting, ecosystem assessments, or large-scale workforce/education projects is desirable.Proven ability to translate technical knowledge into actionable workforce strategies, such as curriculum redesign or modular skilling pathways.Prior experience in research, consulting, or advisory roles; candidates with experience engaging with academia, government, and industry stakeholders are preferred.Strong communication skills, with the ability to guide teams, validate findings, and represent the study in stakeholder settings.Desirable:The ideal candidate will bring a combination of sectoral expertise, workforce development experience, and consulting/advisory skills. Specifically:7–12 years of experience in one or more life sciences sub-sectors (pharma, biotech, medtech, diagnostics, R&D).Strong familiarity with workforce trends, regulatory environments, and skill requirements, including emerging areas such as digital QA, bioprocessing, regulatory compliance, and automation readiness.Experience in public health, vocational skilling, workforce planning, or policy advisory (preferably with NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, MSDE, or industry consortia).Preference for background in management consulting, ecosystem assessments, or large-scale workforce/education projects is desirable.Proven ability to translate technical knowledge into actionable workforce strategies, such as curriculum redesign or modular skilling pathways.Prior experience in research, consulting, or advisory roles; candidates with experience engaging with academia, government, and industry stakeholders are preferred.Strong communication skills, with the ability to guide teams, validate findings, and represent the study in stakeholder settings.Time commitment:Advisory input of approximately 50–75 hours over 17–18 weeks, focused on strategic guidance rather than daily execution.Why Join Us ?Contribute sector expertise to a high-impact national study that informs skilling policy, curricula, and industry–academia collaboration.Work with a dynamic research team on complex, multi-stakeholder analytics with clear pathways to implementation.Opportunities for professional visibility through validation workshops and sector briefsHow to Apply:Qualified and interested candidates should submit their application to this link