About the Role
The SERI Technology Development & Commercialization (TD&C) Office drives the translation of research and innovation into commercially viable products, services, and ventures that improve patient outcomes and create societal impact. As SERI continues to expand its innovation activities, particularly in digital health, artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven healthcare, and emerging medical technologies, the TD&C team plays a key role in advancing technology development, commercialization, venture creation, and strategic industry partnerships.
The Assistant Director / Senior Assistant Director will be responsible for advancing SERI's technology development and commercialization agenda, with a particular focus strategic partnership development, and innovation programme development. The incumbent will work closely with researchers, clinicians, industry partners, investors, government agencies, and internal stakeholders to accelerate the translation of research innovations into impactful commercial outcomes.
The role will also support key governance functions, including process improvement, conflict-of-interest (COI) management, and contract review activities to ensure effective and compliant commercialization operations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
- Identify, initiate, and develop strategic partnerships with industry, healthcare institutions, technology companies, research organizations, investors, and government agencies.
- Drive business development efforts to establish new collaborative programmes and strategic initiatives, including opportunities under the Industry Alignment Fund – Industry Collaboration Projects (IAF-ICP) scheme and other national innovation programmes.
- Develop business cases and partnership proposals that align with SERI's strategic priorities and research strengths.
- Engage and negotiate with prospective partners to co-develop translational research, innovation, and commercialization programmes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships across the innovation ecosystem to expand SERI's partnership network and funding opportunities.
- Represent SERI at industry meetings, conferences, networking events, and stakeholder engagements.
2. Technology Development and Commercialization
- Identify, evaluate, and develop commercialization opportunities arising from SERI's research and innovation portfolio.
- Assess the technical, clinical, commercial, and market potential of new technologies and formulate appropriate development and commercialization strategies.
- Work closely with researchers and clinicians to develop technology development roadmaps and commercialization pathways.
- Coordinate with the SingHealth Intellectual Property Office and relevant stakeholders on intellectual property protection, management, and commercialization strategies.
- Support licensing activities and engagement with potential commercial partners to maximize the value and impact of SERI innovations.
- Monitor technology development progress, commercialization milestones, and portfolio performance, and provide regular updates to management.
3. Process Improvement and Conflict of Interest (COI) Management
- Support the development and implementation of governance frameworks, policies, and standard operating procedures relating to commercialization and partnership activities.
- Lead continuous process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness within the TD&C function.
- Manage and coordinate conflict-of-interest (COI) reviews and related governance processes involving commercialization, industry collaborations, startups, and external engagements.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies, governance requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
- Develop and maintain systems for tracking, reporting, and managing commercialization and partnership activities.
4. Contract Review and Commercialization Support
- Support the review, negotiation, and management of research and commercial agreements, including non-disclosure agreements, collaboration agreements, licensing agreements, consultancy agreements, service agreements, and data-related agreements.
- Work closely with legal, finance, research administration, and other stakeholders to facilitate agreement review and execution.
- Identify commercial, legal, operational, and compliance considerations and provide recommendations to support decision-making.
- Support due diligence, risk assessment, and transaction management activities associated with collaborations, licensing, and commercialization projects.
5. Strategic Initiatives
- Prepare business cases, commercialization plans, funding proposals, reports, presentations, and management papers.
- Support institutional initiatives related to innovation, technology translation, venture creation, and industry engagement.
- Contribute to grant applications and strategic programmes that enhance SERI's innovation and commercialization capabilities.
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned by the Director, TD&C and SERI leadership.
Requirements
Education
- Master's degree in Life Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Healthcare Innovation, Business Administration, Technology Management, Law, or a related discipline.
- MBA or postgraduate qualification in innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, or technology management will be advantageous.
Experience
Assistant Director
- At least 10 years of relevant experience in technology commercialization, business development, venture building, innovation management, technology transfer, startup development, healthcare innovation, consulting, or related fields.
Senior Assistant Director
- At least 12 years of relevant experience in technology commercialization, venture creation, strategic partnerships, innovation programme development, or related fields.
- Demonstrated track record in leading complex commercialization initiatives, strategic collaborations, or venture-building activities.
Knowledge and Competencies
- Strong understanding of technology development, commercialization, innovation management, and venture creation processes.
- Experience in evaluating technologies and developing commercialization and go-to-market strategies.
- Familiarity with startup formation, venture building, fundraising processes, and innovation ecosystems.
- Working knowledge of intellectual property management, licensing, and technology transfer practices.
- Familiarity with contract review, commercial negotiations, governance processes, and conflict-of-interest management.
- Experience in developing and managing strategic partnerships involving industry, government agencies, research institutions, and investors.
- Strong analytical, financial, and business evaluation capabilities.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and stakeholders simultaneously.
Personal Attributes
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong passion for innovation and translating research into impact.
- Resourceful, proactive, and results-oriented.
- Strong business acumen and ability to identify strategic opportunities.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to influence and work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in healthcare, life sciences, medtech, digital health, AI, or research institution environments.
- Experience supporting or leading spin-off creation, startup formation, incubator or accelerator programmes.
- Experience developing programmes under public-private partnerships, translational research initiatives, or innovation funding schemes such as IAF-ICP.
- Experience reviewing and negotiating commercialization, licensing, collaboration, or investment-related agreements.
- Experience working with investors, venture capital firms, venture builders, or startup ecosystems.
