Academic Engagement Manager

Hello!

We are looking for an Academic Engagement Manager to join us starting as early as May 2026.

The Academic Engagement Manager will be part of the Academic Engagement team at Swissnex in India, which connects scientific communities in India and Switzerland through a wide range of approaches. Our work revolves around areas guided by a planetary thinking approach and encompasses sustainability, health as well as responsible digitisation and future technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum.

We are looking for a colleague with strong academic training, solid project management experience, keen attention to detail and a deep interest in learning, discovering and developing beyond their subject matter expertise. 

Our work thrives on imaginative, self -driven, anticipatory and inclusive thinking. We are looking for someone with a curious mind who embraces this approach in their everyday work. The ideal candidate will contribute to the team’s projects with original ideas and work closely with the Head of Academic Engagement. A collaborative mindset is essential and you will be expected to share responsibilities for projects proactively rather than only executing assigned tasks. 

You will join our team to build new approaches to address pressing topics such as the impact of AI on society, declining planetary health and to engage with emerging technologies such as quantum. We build these approaches using systems -level thinking that emphasises interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary formats. In your role, we expect you to take full ownership of your work, demonstrating both creativity and also the ability to organise, execute and document projects at a high standard.

If the following statements resonate with you, we would love to receive your application:

• You are curious, eager and comfortable to engage with topics that might not be your core expertise
  
• You can follow an independent workstream while multitasking and sticking to deadlines
  
• You have experience in proposal writing and/or fundraising, including the preparation of pitch decks
  
• You are quick to respond to emerging demands, proactively engage in projects and pick up different types of work quickly whenever needed
  
• You genuinely enjoy working and connecting with other people. We like to share a good laugh at the office! 
  

Key Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of projects in the Academic Engagement team, steering them with minimal input required from the Head of Academic Engagement at the operational level. 
  
• Managing relationships with external partners related to projects.
  
• Closely coordinating with colleagues at Swissnex in India and the global Swissnex network for efficient and impactful project execution
  

Project coordination and development

• Coordinate and manage end -to -end execution of recurring academic engagement programmes 
  
• Envision and execute original ideas within the scope of Swissnex in India’s work, enabling new ways for Swiss -based stakeholders of the education, research and innovation (ERI) sector to discover India and work with Indian counterparts.
  
• Contributing to the development and implementation of projects aligned with our strategy, particularly areas such as quantum technology, sustainability in the built environment, climate action and innovative approaches to biodiversity
  
• Writing project proposals and pitch documents
  

Storytelling and content 

• Working closely with our communications team to produce informative and engaging content
  

Knowledge generation and networking

• Researching and managing information relevant to our focus areas, stakeholders and ongoing projects 
  
• Compiling information in comprehensive and usable formats including reports, databases and slide decks
  
• Researching, identifying and building connections with relevant stakeholders such as academics, subject matter experts and funders who are important to our work
  

• Indian citizen or legal resident of India
  
• OCI holders will be conditional upon candidates obtaining a special work permit (Note: For requisite special permission to take up employment in any foreign diplomatic missions in India, OCI card holders must visit https://ociservices.gov.in/)
  
• A minimum of three years of work experience in the academic sector, think tanks or independent research centres, with proven experience in project management
  
• Master’s degree in natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, engineering preferred
  
• Team player with a strong sense of responsibility, intellectual curiosity 
  
• Strong communication skills with proficiency in written and spoken English and the ability to think in narratives
  
• Ability to understand and consider stakeholder perspectives in situational contexts
  
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and demonstrate an agile, flexible mindset when adapting to changing contexts
  
• Strong networking skills with the ability to thrive in an international, multicultural environment and is enthusiastic about Swissnex’s mission to foster Indo -Swiss relations 
  
• Flexibility to work outside regular office hours when required 
  

Additional Qualities

• Experience with the Swiss academic landscape
  
• Knowledge of a Swiss national language (German, French, Italian)
  

• Competitive salaries, including a 13th -month salary
  
• Medical coverage (90% of the medical expenditure is covered by the employer)
  
• 20 days of paid leave per year and up to 15 days of Indian and Swiss public holidays
  
• An open culture in the context of a diplomatic mission
  
• An initial one -year contract with the potential for extension based on mutual agreement and performance
  
• Work experience in an international, multi -cultural and highly enabling environment in the context of a Swiss diplomatic mission in India, in collaboration with other representations such as the Swiss Business Hub, the Swiss Embassy in Delhi and the Swiss Development Corporation
  
• An opportunity to collaborate with inspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, academic institutions and stakeholders in Switzerland and India as well as non -academic stakeholders across relevant disciplines and domains
  
• The freedom to work outside the box and push boundaries
  
• The independence to develop ideas and bring them to fruition
  
• Living and experiencing a thought partnership over an instructional relationship at work
  

Swissnex in India - A Consulate for the Future

At Swissnex in India, Consulate General of Switzerland in Bengaluru, we foster forward -looking collaboration between Switzerland and India by connecting researchers, academic institutions, startups and innovation ecosystem players. We promote the exchange of ideas, knowledge and talent while also fulfilling the official representation, coordination and reporting functions of a Swiss Consulate General. We are a diplomatic anomaly, accelerating positive transformations at the frontiers of knowledge.

Based in Bengaluru, we operate at the heart of a dynamic hub of creativity, technology and entrepreneurship. From here, we link Swiss excellence in science and innovation with India’s fast -evolving research and startup ecosystems, creating opportunities for meaningful partnerships and shared growth. We work in close collaboration with the wider Swiss network in India, including representations in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. 

We work in the areas of health, sustainability and responsible digitisation. We work across disciplines and are active in a broad variety of fields ranging from tackling antimicrobial resistance to planetary health and digital trust.  

Application Deadline  

• Upload your CV and motivation letter
  
• Kindly let us know your earliest possible starting date and salary expectations
  
• This job offers an initial one -year contract with the potential for extension, allowing you to build a long -lasting and rewarding career with us
  
• We accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled