Director Research and Development, Innovation

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