The Innovation and Research Development Lead is responsible for strengthening LUMS' research ecosystem by proactively identifying strategic funding opportunities, supporting the development of high-quality competitive proposals, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and building research partnerships and consortia. The role aims to shift institutional research support from reactive grant administration to a structured, opportunity-driven approach that enhances research impact, innovation, and external funding success.

• Support faculty in developing competitive, high-impact research proposals from concept development through submission.
• Establish mechanisms for proposal incubation from idea to submission.
• Contribute to internal review processes to enhance proposal quality and alignment.
• Enable early-stage shaping of research ideas into fundable concepts.
•  Identify opportunities for translational and impact-driven research.
•  Conduct workshops and training sessions on Grant writing, Industry collaboration and commercialisation pathways.
• Support the development of innovation-oriented proposals.
• Work with stakeholders to align research initiatives with societal and industry needs  and connect complementary expertise within LUMS.
• Facilitate internal matchmaking for interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Support thematic and challenge-led research initiatives.
• Lead the development of research consortia for large, strategic funding opportunities.
• Support identification of global and local partners.
•  Facilitate institutional positioning in multi-partner proposals.
• Strengthening LUMS’ participation in collaborative funding programs.
• Contribute to transforming research support from administrative grant processing to proactive research development.
• Build awareness of upcoming funding calls, strategic research priorities, and funding opportunities across the University.
• Develop internal readiness for recurring and flagship funding programs such as Horizon EU and others.
• Perform any other duties assigned by senior management in support of departmental and University objectives. 

• Strategic thinking and program design
• Stakeholder engagement & facilitation
• Research Proposal development expertise
• Partnership & consortium building
• Cross-functional coordination
• Strong analytical and communication skills

 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Outcomes

• Increase in successful external research funding secured
• Improved quality and competitiveness of research proposals
• Growth in interdisciplinary and collaborative research initiatives
• Expansion of strategic national and international research partnerships
• Increased participation in major funding programmes
• Enhanced institutional research development processes

• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Proactive, innovative, and solution-oriented. 
• Highly organised with excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
• Resilient and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Customer-focused with strong stakeholder management capabilities.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, or a related field.
• PhD in a relevant field is desirable.

• At least 05 years of experience in research development, grant strategy, innovation management, academic programme development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Experience working with international funding agencies and collaborative research programmes

What We Offer:

A Learning Ecosystem

LUMS offers a dynamic work culture that encourages learning and innovation, skills development, and contribution to areas beyond your job role. You will have the opportunity to learn and interact with the best academic minds in Pakistan, as well as to work with highly experienced professionals.

Intellectual Freedom

We believe in the pursuit of knowledge, provide the freedom to explore across different disciplines and value the diverse expression of all community members for mutual learning and advancement.

Benefits

LUMS offers competitive benefits to its academic and professional colleagues including Provident Fund, Group Life Insurance, EOBI for Pension Scheme, Outpatient medical coverage for self and family, and In-patient Health Insurance for self, spouse, and dependent children.

Campus Perks

The LUMS campus offers all the facilities and amenities of a world-class university, including a Sports Complex offering international standard courts for badminton, squash, tennis, basketball and volleyball, a FINA certified 25M swimming pool, and separate gyms for women and men. In addition to the LUMS Dining Center, there is a variety of eateries across campus offering popular cuisines, a breath-taking mosque, a medical centre, the LUMS Library, car parking as well as transport facilities for females, and a professionally run Day Care Center for children of community members.

Discounts

LUMS also provides a wide range of corporate discounts and internal educational discounts to its community as a token of each member’s value to our community. Our internal educational discounts include waiver of undergraduate tuition fees of employees’ children studying at LUMS, scholarships for master’s programs in several schools, and executive development programs offered by the nationally recognized Rausing Executive Development Center (REDC).

LUMS is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace for all our employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, caste, ethnicity, age, non-disqualifying physical or psychological disability or social status. Candidates belonging to minority groups are encouraged to apply.