Research Programme Manager

Location :

GIFT City, Gandhinagar, India

Employment Type :

Full-time

Hours :

12pm - 9pm IST

About the Role

As Research Programme Manager, you’ll be one of the founding hires of the new BRIDGES Regional Programme Office (RPO) for South Asia — working hand-in-hand with the global BRIDGES International Programme Office (at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David) and the Flagship Hub at Arizona State University. You’ll shape how international, transdisciplinary sustainability-science research and partnerships take root in the region, with real ownership over projects from day one. You’ll be reporting to Foundation management and interacting as required with the Foundation Advisory Board.

What You'll Do

  • Shape the Foundation’s research profile across all areas of its strategy by designing proposals and building partnerships in India and in South Asia 
  • Contribute to multi-partner international research projects and capacity-building initiatives, including partnership development and grant applications, leading the Foundation’s specific involvement, and in particular work closely with the BRIDGES International Programme Office in sourcing international funding opportunities and coordinating funding submissions. 
  • Help shape a brand-new regional research strategy and launch pilot projects with university partners in GIFT City 
  • Contribute to the design of an innovative, crowdsourced curriculum development initiative alongside the global BRIDGES team 
  • Prepare compelling programme reports and funding proposals for Foundation and international BRIDGES leadership 
  • Build relationships with universities, government bodies, and international partners shaping the future of sustainability science 
  • Help draft partnership agreements (MOUs) with GIFT City campuses and other collaborators 

What You'll Bring

A Master’s degree (PhD a plus) in social sciences, sustainability studies, international development, education, or a related field, plus: 

  • 5+ years in research programme management, international development, or academic project coordination  
  • A track record of grant writing and research partnership development 
  • Strong project management skills across multiple stakeholders 
  • Excellent written and spoken English 
  • Comfort working across academic, government, and non-profit worlds 
  • Must be able to arrange your own transportation to and from the GIFT City office

Nice to Have

  • Experience with UN, UNESCO, or other multilateral programmes 
  • Background in sustainability science, humanities-inclusive research, or higher-education partnerships 
  • Exposure to international branch-campus or higher-education infrastructure projects 

Why Join Us

  • A genuine ground-floor opportunity — you’ll help define how this office works, not just execute an existing playbook 
  • Direct exposure to a global coalition of universities and UNESCO-affiliated programming 
  • Work rooted in a mission that matters: expanding access and opportunity in education across South Asia 
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