Based in Rome and under the direct supervision of the Senior Manager Business Development and Diversification, the position supports the valorization and scaling of science-based innovations by strengthening the link between research, market opportunities, and industry partnerships. The position contributes to innovation programmes, lab-to-market initiatives, and industry engagement activities, with the objective of improving the commercial readiness, sustainability, and impact potential of agri-food innovations supported by A4IP.
Key duties include supporting valorization of scientific innovations, coordinating lab-to-market programmes/innovation challenges, developing partnerships between innovation teams and private-sector stakeholders, supporting engagement with startups, entrepreneurs and researchers, supporting resource mobilization and proposal preparation, maintaining stakeholder databases, and contributing to organization of innovation challenges, bootcamps, pitch events and the Venture-Out event series.
Requirements: undergraduate degree in Business, Innovation Management, Economics, International Development, or related field; experience in innovation programmes, startup ecosystems, or technology-transfer initiatives; experience with research-based or science-driven innovations; experience supporting innovation challenges, accelerators, or lab-to-market programmes; experience with private-sector partners, startups, or investors is an asset; strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills; excellent written and oral English.
This is a nationally recruited staff position based in Rome, Italy, with an initial one-year contract (six-month probation), graded BG07, minimum annual basic salary Euro 47,637. Eligible applicants must have legal status to live and work in Italy (Italian nationals, EU citizens with Anagrafe registration, or non-EU citizens with a valid Italian work permit).
closing date: 24 September 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number RFP500591 – Senior Associate, Science Valorization & Industry Engagement as the position applied for. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate's last name, first name for ease of sorting. Please note that email applications will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.