Innovation Director

Salary: 6000EUR gross (the final compensation package will be determined based on the candidate’s level of seniority, depth of relevant experience, and the expertise they bring to the role).

Shape the Future of Innovation at KInIT and Slovakia

At Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies (KInIT), we believe that excellent AI research should not only advance scientific knowledge but also create meaningful impact in the real world.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial and research-driven Director of Innovation to build and lead our innovation function from the ground up.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who understands both scientific research and the commercial technology sector and wants to bring these worlds closer together, thereby contributing to a stronger research and innovation ecosystem in Slovakia.

You will identify promising opportunities emerging from our research, validate their potential, and transform the most relevant ones into impactful projects, services, products, and partnerships. You will also explore sustainable revenue opportunities that support KInIT’s long-term development and independence while staying true to our non-profit mission.

We are looking for a leader who combines scientific credibility, entrepreneurial thinking, and hands-on execution, someone who can turn ideas into tangible outcomes and inspire others to do the same.

Your Mission at KInIT

Build and drive KInIT’s innovation strategy

• Develop and implement an innovation strategy aligned with KInIT’s mission, research priorities, and long-term goals.

• Identify opportunities to translate research outcomes into real-world applications, services, products, or new collaborations.

• Monitor developments in AI and emerging technologies and assess their relevance and potential for KInIT, with a focus on creating meaningful impact and contributing to the advancement, competitiveness, and sustainable development of Slovakia as a whole.

• Establish a structured innovation pipeline for identifying, evaluating, validating, and prioritizing promising ideas.

• Develop business cases, assess market potential, and explore sustainable revenue models, including licensing, consulting, training, software tools, and potential spin-offs.

Build and lead the innovation function

• Establish the innovation function, define its operating model, and gradually build and develop the team.

• Foster a culture of experimentation, collaboration, and responsible innovation.

• Work closely with KInIT’s research teams to identify opportunities based on their expertise and research outcomes.

• Support researchers in exploring practical applications of their work while respecting scientific independence and research priorities.

• Drive selected innovation initiatives from initial concepts through validation, pilot projects, and potential implementation.

Connect research with industry and society

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with companies, startups, universities, public institutions, investors, and innovation organizations in Slovakia and internationally.

• Identify the needs of external partners and connect them with KInIT’s research capabilities.

• Explore opportunities for joint innovation projects, technology transfer, and new forms of collaboration.

• Represent KInIT in the innovation ecosystem, at conferences, and in discussions with strategic partners.

• Contribute to strengthening KInIT’s position as a bridge between excellent research, industry, and society.

What Makes This Role Different

You won’t be joining an established innovation department with predefined processes and a ready-made portfolio. You will have the opportunity to build it.

You will shape how innovation works at KInIT, influence its strategic direction, and create new ways for excellent AI research to generate value beyond academia.

Unlike traditional corporate innovation roles, success here is not measured by commercial returns alone. Your work will contribute to scientific excellence, societal impact, meaningful partnerships, and the long-term sustainability of an independent research institute.

This role offers an unusual combination of strategic ownership, hands-on execution, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Slovakia’s AI innovation ecosystem.

Personality requirements

Required Experience and Skills

• Strong research background and first-hand research experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in an academic environment (e.g., PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field) and a solid understanding of scientific research, demonstrated through relevant publications and research activities.

• Commercial experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in a technology company, startup, or innovation/R&D environment, with hands-on involvement in developing new technologies, products, or services.

• Innovation track record: Demonstrated ability to identify promising opportunities, validate ideas, develop prototypes, and bring innovations closer to practical application or market adoption.

• Leadership experience: Proven experience building, developing, and leading teams.

• Business understanding: Familiarity with business models such as licensing, SaaS, consulting, and strategic partnerships, and the ability to assess market potential.

• Strategic and execution skills: Ability to translate complex ideas into actionable plans with clear priorities, resources, and measurable outcomes.

• Communication skills: Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with researchers, business leaders, and external partners.

• Languages: Fluent English.

Leadership and Personal Competencies

• An entrepreneurial mindset combined with respect for scientific rigor and research independence.

• A hands-on, proactive approach and the ability to build structures and processes from the ground up.

• Sound judgment in evaluating opportunities, including knowing when to pursue, adapt, or discontinue an initiative.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and make progress with limited resources.

• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build trust across research and commercial environments.

• Genuine motivation to create societal impact through responsible technological innovation.

• A balance of long-term strategic thinking and practical, results-oriented execution.

Nice to Have

• Approximately 10-15 years of combined experience in research and the technology industry.

• Experience establishing a startup, spin-off, or successfully bringing a technology-based product or service to market.

• Experience with European or national research and innovation projects.

• Familiarity with intellectual property management, technology transfer, and relevant regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act and GDPR.

• An established network within the European or international technology and innovation ecosystem.

• Experience developing strategic partnerships or negotiating commercial collaborations.

• Knowledge of Slovak or Czech.

Employee perks, benefits

At KInIT, you will become part of a unique independent research institute that brings together excellent AI researchers, technology experts, and industry partners.

In addition to the opportunity to build a new strategic function and contribute to meaningful technological innovation, we offer:

• The opportunity to work alongside leading AI researchers and contribute to projects with real-world impact.

• A collaborative, intellectually stimulating, and internationally connected research environment.

• Access to internal scientific seminars, knowledge-sharing activities, and institute events.

• Institute-wide social events and community activities.

Selection process

If you are interested in shaping the future of innovation at KInIT, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply and send us your CV, ideally highlighting innovation initiatives, products, partnerships, or teams you have helped build or lead.

We will contact selected candidates with further information about the recruitment process.

Company description

Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies (KInIT) is an independent non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing excellence in artificial intelligence and connecting scientific research with real-world needs.

We bring together outstanding researchers and technology experts, collaborate with academia and industry, and create opportunities for research-driven innovation with meaningful societal impact.

Our ambition is to strengthen Slovakia’s research and innovation ecosystem, attract and develop talent, and contribute to internationally competitive AI research.

At KInIT, scientific excellence, collaboration, and societal responsibility go hand in hand.