(RFP500591) Senior Associate, Science Valorization & Industry Engagement (Rome, Italy)

• Support the valorization of scientific innovations by strengthening their commercial and market readiness.
  
• Coordinate implementation of assigned lab-to-market programmes/innovation challenges.
  
• Support the development of partnerships between innovation teams and private-sector stakeholders.
  
• Contribute to the scaling and positioning of science-based innovations within the agri-food innovation ecosystem.
  
• Support resource mobilization and programme visibility activities.
  
• Work closely with internal teams including programme, finance, legal, and HR units to support innovation and technology-transfer activities.
  
• Support engagement with innovation teams, startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers participating in A4IP programmes.
  
• Interact with private-sector partners such as impact investors, startups, corporate innovation teams, and industry stakeholders.
  
• Support collaboration between scientists and external partners to strengthen market adoption of research outputs.
  
• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.
  
• Support the organization and implementation of innovation challenges, bootcamps, pitch events, and lab-to-market programmes.
  
• Contribute to the evaluation and assessment of agri-food technology innovations, against established criteria and recommend follow-up actions.
  
• Support innovation teams on business models, commercialization strategies, and market positioning, based on established programme approaches.
  
• Contribute to the preparation of project documentation, reports, and communication materials.
  
• Support the identification of funding opportunities and the preparation of proposals.
  
• Maintain stakeholder databases and innovation tracking tools.
  
• Support the organization of stakeholder events and the Venture-Out event series.
  
• Contribute to the preparation of reports on project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and programme activities.
  

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Innovation Management, Economics, International Development, or a related field.
  
• Experience in innovation programmes, startup ecosystems, or technology-transfer initiatives.
  
• Experience working with research-based or science-driven innovations.
  
• Experience supporting innovation challenges, accelerators, or lab-to-market programmes.
  
• Experience working with private-sector partners, startups, or investors is considered an asset.
  
• Experience in project coordination, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
  

• Good understanding of the agri-food innovation ecosystem and innovation-to-market processes.
  
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess innovation potential and market relevance.
  
• Knowledge of business models, commercialization strategies, and market positioning.
  
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-management skills.
  
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
  

Benefits

• Be Italian nationals holding a valid passport or identity card.
  
• Or be EU citizens holding a valid passport or identity card and confirmation of registration from the Registrar’s Office (Anagrafe).
  
• Or Non–EU citizens holding a valid Italian work permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro subordinato).