Chief Innovation Officer

National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM); Seri Kembangan; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) seeks a Chief Innovation Officer to lead innovation strategies and research management. The role requires a strong understanding of research funding ecosystems and innovative product development. Ideal candidates will hold a Master's or PhD and have over 10 years of relevant experience, with fluency in Bahasa Melayu and English.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Senior Innovation, R&D, Commercialization roles.
• Experience in Research and Development Industry is a plus.
• Fluent in Bahasa Melayu and English.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organization’s innovation roadmap.
• Manage collaborations and partnerships for commercialization.
• Ensure compliance with national and international regulations.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Collaboration

Leadership

Education

Master’s Degree or PhD in Business/Economy/Science/Engineering/Technology

Job description

National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) established on 27 January 2012 is a consortium of national biotechnology institutes under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) operating as a Company Limited by Guarantee to carry out research, development, innovation and commercialization of modern biotechnology. The consortium consists of three institutes which is the Malaysian Agro-Biotechnology Institute (ABI) in Serdang, Selangor, the Malaysian Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Institute (IPharm) in Gelugor, Penang, and the Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) in Bangi, Selangor. NIBM invites qualified, experienced, dynamic, and work-ready individuals to join our organization for the following positions:

Have the ability to perform the following tasks:

Innovation Strategy and Strategic Leadership

Develop and lead the organization’s innovation roadmap aligned with long-term strategic goals;

Identify market trends, disruptive technologies, and new business models to inform innovation opportunities;

Build a culture of innovation across all levels of organization;

Develop and implement a comprehensive research management strategy aligned with the organization’s goals; and

Lead the development of research priorities, policies, governance structures, and performance framworks.

Product Technology and Commercialization

Oversee the assessment, development, and commercialization of new products, services, and technologies;

Lead cross-functional teams in the execution of product development, validation, and go-to-market strategies; and

Manage strategic partnerships, licensing opportunities, and technology transfers.

Market and Competitive Intelligence

Analyze competitive landscape and customer insights to guide innovation decisions; and

Monitor industry trends and ensure the organization stays ahead of market disruptions.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with Institutes to ensure seamless commercialization; and

Engage external partners, academic institutions, incubators, and venture capital firms to co-develop solutions;

IP and Portfolio Management

Oversee intellectual property strategy, including patents trademarks, and trade secrets; and

Manage the innovation portfolio, prioritizing projects based on ROI, strategic fit, and feasibility.

Research Operation and Administration

Oversee the lifecycle of research projects from proposal development through execution and close-out;

Ensure effective systems for research funding management, ethics review, compliance, contracts, and reporting; and

Lead strategic initiatives to improve research infrastructure, platforms, and administrative processes.

Funding & Partnership Development

Identify strategic funding opportunities and support the development of high-impact research proposals;

Build and sustain partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry; and

Oversee grant administration, financial stewardship, and donor/stakeholder reporting.

Compliance and Risk Management

Ensure all research activities comply with national and international regulations, including ethics, IP, and data governance;

Maintain institutional readiness for audits and regulatory reviews; and

Implement risk management protocols to protect research integrity and institutional reputation.

Data and Performance Analytics

Monitor and report on research outputs, impact metrics, funding performance, and KPIs; and

Guide data-driven decision-making to enhance research effectiveness and competitiveness.

Any other instruction by the CEO from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience:

The minimum qualification of a Master’s Degree or PhD in the field of Business/Economy/Science/Engineering/Technology or related field and recognized by the Malaysian government from a local or foreign higher education institution or a qualification recognized as equivalent;

Proven experience (10+ years) in Senior Innovation, R&D, Commercialization, Research Management or Product Strategy roles;

Strong understanding of research funding ecosystems, including public, private, and philanthropic sources;

Experience in Research and Development Industry is an added advantage;

Fluent in speaking and writing Bahasa Melayu and English; and

Strategic mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

For further info, please visit our website: https://nibm.my/v6/?page_id=135

Application Closing Date : 22nd JULY 2025

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Your application will include the following questions:

Which of the following types of qualifications do you have? Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia? What's your expected monthly basic salary? How many years' experience do you have as a Chief Innovation Officer? How much notice are you required to give your current employer? Are you willing to relocate for this role? How many years of business management experience do you have? How many years' experience do you have as an Innovation Director?

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Medical 51-100 employees

Company History

The government of Malaysia has identified biotechnology as another potential area to be the engine of growth. In 2002, three interim laboratories - Genomic & Molecular Biology; Agro-Biotechnology; and Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals were established to provide research infrastructure for the 8th Malaysia Plan for National Biotechnology Agenda led by the Biotechnology Cooperative Centres (BCCs).

In 2005, these laboratories were inaugurated as National Biotechnology Institutes to lead, coordinate and implement the national biotechnology agenda through research, development, innovation and commercialization (RDIC). The three National Biotechnology Institutes are:

• Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPHARM)

• Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI)

In 2011, the institutes were restructured and placed under an autonomous organization called the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM). While the three institutes focus on high quality and market driven R&D and innovations, NIBM’s key role is to support and spearhead the commercialization of the R&D activities at the institutes based on industry requirements.

Company History

The government of Malaysia has identified biotechnology as another potential area to be the engine of growth. In 2002, three interim laboratories - Genomic & Molecular Biology; Agro-Biotechnology; and Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals were established to provide research infrastructure for the 8th Malaysia Plan for National Biotechnology Agenda led by the Biotechnology Cooperative Centres (BCCs).

In 2005, these laboratories were inaugurated as National Biotechnology Institutes to lead, coordinate and implement the national biotechnology agenda through research, development, innovation and commercialization (RDIC). The three National Biotechnology Institutes are:

• Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPHARM)

• Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI)

In 2011, the institutes were restructured and placed under an autonomous organization called the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM). While the three institutes focus on high quality and market driven R&D and innovations, NIBM’s key role is to support and spearhead the commercialization of the R&D activities at the institutes based on industry requirements.

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