Office of Faculty of Business
Project Associate
(Ref. 260807020)
[Appointment period: twenty-four months]
Duties
The appointee will assist the project leader in the project – “Centre for innovation commercialisation”.
The Centre for Innovation Commercialisation is established to advance the translation of academic research, business knowledge, and innovation initiatives into market-relevant impact. The Centre supports entrepreneurship, technology commercialisation, industry engagement, venture development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across the University and the broader innovation ecosystem.
The Project Associate will play a strategic role in supporting the Centre’s key initiatives, including innovation commercialisation projects, industry partnership development, startup and venture support programmes, applied research translation, stakeholder engagement, and ecosystem-building activities. The appointee is expected to work closely with faculty members, researchers, students, entrepreneurs, industry partners, investors, public bodies, and other internal and external stakeholders.
This is a hands-on role requiring strong project management capabilities, commercial awareness, research translation experience, stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a university-based innovation environment. He/she will take up the following key responsibilities:
(a) Project management and programme delivery
• lead, coordinate, and manage strategic projects and initiatives of the Centre, ensuring timely execution, quality delivery, and achievement of intended outcomes.
• support the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of innovation commercialisation programmes, entrepreneurship initiatives, industry engagement projects, and knowledge transfer activities.
• develop project plans, milestones, budgets, risk assessments, progress reports, and performance metrics.
• coordinate cross-functional project teams involving faculty members, researchers, students, administrative units, external consultants, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• monitor project progress and prepare reports, presentations, proposals, briefing materials, and management papers for internal and external audiences.
(b) Innovation commercialisation and venture development
• support the identification, assessment, and development of innovation and commercialisation opportunities arising from PolyU research, business school expertise, student projects, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
• conduct market research, competitor analysis, customer discovery, industry mapping, technology benchmarking, and business model assessment for selected innovation projects.
• support startup incubation, spin-off preparation, venture-building activities, proof-of-concept validation, and industry pilot development.
• work with relevant University offices and stakeholders on matters relating to intellectual property, licensing, funding applications, startup formation, and commercialisation pathways where appropriate.
(c) Industry partnership and ecosystem engagement
• support the Centre’s efforts to identify and develop collaboration opportunities with corporates, SMEs, venture capital firms, family offices, accelerators, incubators, government agencies, and Greater Bay Area partners.
• organise and facilitate meetings, workshops, industry roundtables, pitch sessions, innovation showcases, networking events, and advisory discussions.
• prepare partnership proposals, collaboration briefs, sponsorship materials, and engagement plans for external stakeholders.
(d) Research, analysis, and strategic support
• conduct research and analysis on innovation commercialisation trends, entrepreneurship ecosystems, emerging technologies, funding schemes, policy developments, and market opportunities, particularly in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland, and Asia.
• support the development of strategic plans, white papers, thought leadership materials, funding proposals, and impact reports for the Centre.
• contribute to the Centre’s strategic positioning as a bridge between academic innovation, business knowledge, and market application.
(e) Event, communication, and knowledge dissemination
• plan seminars, conferences, training sessions, entrepreneurship workshops, innovation bootcamps, investor forums, and commercialisation-related events.
• develop content for promotional materials, newsletters, websites, social media, reports, presentations, and stakeholder communications.
• liaise with internal communication teams and external partners to enhance the visibility and reputation of the Centre.
(f) Administration and centre operations
• assist in the day-to-day operation of the Centre, including budgeting, procurement, reporting, governance documentation, meeting coordination, and administrative support.
• maintain databases of projects, stakeholders, partners, startups, mentors, investors, and programme participants.
• ensure compliance with University policies, procedures, funding requirements, reporting standards, and data governance requirements.
• perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of the Centre or his/her delegates.
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
(a) a master’s degree in in Business, Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, Engineering, Design, Healthcare, Public Policy, or a related discipline, or a good honours degree with at least three years of research/relevant post-qualification experience; preferably in one or more of the following areas:
• Innovation commercialisation
• Technology transfer
• Entrepreneurship or startup support
• Industry partnership development
• Project management
• Business development
• Consulting
• Research translation
• Corporate innovation
• Investment, accelerator, or ecosystem development
(b) proven experience in managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders;
(c) demonstrated ability to conduct market research, business analysis, stakeholder mapping, and strategic planning;
(d) excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, and proficiency in Chinese, including Cantonese and Putonghua;
(e) strong interpersonal, organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; and
(f) ability to work independently, take initiative, manage competing priorities, and deliver under tight timelines.
Applicants are invited to contact Dr Justin Law at telephone number 2766 4443 or via email at justin.law@polyu.edu.hk for further information.
Conditions of Service
A highly competitive remuneration package will be offered.
Consideration of applications will commence on 14 August 2026 until the position is filled.
Posting date: 7 August 2026