IIT Kanpur has issued an official advertisement for recruitment to the post of Chief Executive Officer for the Wadhwani Innovation Network - Centre of Excellence. The position is being offered under Advertisement Number P.Rect./R&D/2026/065 and is listed on the institute's Scientific and Research Staff recruitment page. The recruitment is for one post and the role is focused on innovation ecosystem building, programme execution, stakeholder coordination and commercialization-oriented support.
The official notice was published on 07 April 2026 and sets the last date for application as 22 April 2026. One important point is that although some third-party listings describe this as an online application, the IIT Kanpur advertisement itself says the application on plain paper, along with complete biodata, should be sent to the undersigned by post or email. Applicants should follow the institute's own instruction rather than relying on secondary summaries.
The post is intended for candidates with a strong mix of academic qualification, management ability and ecosystem experience. IIT Kanpur is looking for someone who can lead WIN-COE activities, work with innovators and partners, manage operations and compliance, support fundraising and partnerships, and help move research toward translation and commercialization.
Recruitment Overview
IIT Kanpur is recruiting for one Chief Executive Officer position for the Wadhwani Innovation Network - Centre of Excellence. The advertisement identifies this as a leadership role responsible for driving the establishment and growth of WIN-COE within the host institution ecosystem.
The CEO will act as the primary liaison between the host institution and the Wadhwani Foundation, while also coordinating innovators, internal teams, partners and other stakeholders. The position is meant for candidates with a combination of technical understanding, management ability and experience in innovation or entrepreneurship support systems.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Institute | IIT Kanpur |
| Post | Chief Executive Officer |
| Unit | Wadhwani Innovation Network - Centre of Excellence |
| Vacancies | 1 |
| Advertisement Number | P.Rect./R&D/2026/065 |
Important Dates
The official recruitment listing and advertisement clearly mention the publication date and application deadline. No separate exam or interview dates are published in the available notice.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement published | 07 April 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 22 April 2026 |
Candidates should submit their application before the closing date because the notice does not mention any extension or correction window.
Vacancy and Position Details
The advertisement is for one Chief Executive Officer post. The role is attached to the Wadhwani Innovation Network - Centre of Excellence, which is described as a platform focused on innovation, translation and entrepreneurship with an emphasis on commercialization of academic research.
The official description says the role covers technology portfolio development, ecosystem building, operational coordination, fundraising support, stakeholder engagement and institutional alignment. This is not a routine administrative post; it is a programme leadership role with responsibilities across strategy, partnerships and execution.
- Post name: Chief Executive Officer
- Number of positions: One
- Functional area: Innovation, commercialization and ecosystem development
- Work context: Academic and innovation ecosystem at IIT Kanpur
Eligibility Criteria
The official advertisement states that applicants should have a post-graduate degree in science, technology, management or medicine from a reputed university or institution. The notice also sets the age limit at 45 years.
In addition to the educational requirement, IIT Kanpur requires substantial professional experience. Candidates must have a minimum of 8 to 12 years of experience working in incubators, academic institutions, research organisations, investor firms, funding agencies or government programmes.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification | Post-graduate degree in science, technology, management or medicine |
| Age limit | 45 years |
| Experience | Minimum 8-12 years |
Desirable Qualifications and Skills
The advertisement mentions a PhD with a background in biomedical translational research as a desirable qualification. It also lists experience in regulatory affairs, technology readiness knowledge, translational research, project evaluation and AI in healthcare as desirable.
The institute is also looking for strong leadership, communication, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills. Knowledge of intellectual property rights, commercialization processes, financial procedures and administrative operations in government institutions is specifically mentioned, along with proficiency in computer applications such as MS Office, database management and project management tools.
- PhD in a relevant area is desirable
- Experience in translational research and project evaluation is desirable
- Knowledge of IPR and commercialization is expected to be useful
- Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building ability is important
- Computer and project management tool proficiency is required
Roles and Responsibilities
The official advertisement provides a detailed role summary. The CEO is expected to lead strategy and growth for WIN-COE, manage day-to-day operations, ensure compliance, build relationships with stakeholders, support innovators, and oversee reporting and documentation.
- Build and execute the ecosystem development strategy for WIN-COE
- Manage day-to-day administrative and operational work
- Assist in budgeting, expenditure management, financial compliance and audits
- Support fundraising and help grantees connect with funding sources
- Develop relationships with academia, industry, incubators, investors and government agencies
- Mentor innovators in proposal writing, IP filing, grant management and market strategy
- Organise training in proposal writing, IPR, technology transfer and regulatory compliance
- Compile data, prepare reports and coordinate progress submissions to the funding agency
This makes the post suitable for candidates who can handle both strategic leadership and execution-level coordination.
Salary and Tenure
The official notice gives the remuneration as Rs. 1,50,000-10,000-2,50,000 on a consolidated basis. It further clarifies that the initial consolidated pay will be Rs. 1,50,000 per month, depending on the suitability and experience of the candidate.
The duration is one year initially. The advertisement says the appointment may be extended based on performance and fund availability. This means the post is not advertised as a permanent regular cadre appointment in the available notice.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay structure | Rs. 1,50,000-10,000-2,50,000 consolidated |
| Initial monthly remuneration | Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Initial tenure | 1 year |
| Extension | Based on performance and fund availability |
How to Apply
The official IIT Kanpur advertisement does not describe this recruitment as a standard online form submission. Instead, it says that the application on plain paper, along with complete biodata, may be sent to the undersigned by post or email.
Candidates should therefore follow the application method written in the institute's own notice. This is important because some secondary listings use the phrase apply online, but the official instruction is different.
- Read the official advertisement carefully.
- Prepare your complete biodata with qualification and experience details.
- Write the application on plain paper.
- Send the application by post or by email before 22 April 2026.
- Use the official contact details mentioned in the advertisement.
The email addresses given in the notice are head.wincoeiitk@gmail.com and akbiolabs2004@gmail.com.
Documents and Information to Keep Ready
Since the official notice asks for an application on plain paper with biodata, candidates should prepare a clean and complete application set before sending it. The advertisement does not list a rigid attachment checklist, but the following information is practically necessary.
- Updated biodata or CV
- Post-graduate degree details and supporting documents
- Proof of date of birth for age verification
- Experience details showing 8-12 years of relevant work
- Details of work in incubators, research organisations, funding programmes or startup ecosystems
- Any evidence of leadership, strategic partnerships, fundraising or technology management work
- Contact details including active phone number and email address
If you have relevant work in translational research, regulatory affairs, startup incubation or commercialization support, highlight it clearly in the biodata because these areas are specifically valued in the advertisement.
Selection Process and Unannounced Details
The available official advertisement provides the role summary, eligibility, tenure, salary and application method, but it does not separately explain the complete selection stages such as written test, presentation, interview format or timeline. Candidates should therefore treat these details as not yet announced in the notice unless IIT Kanpur publishes a later update.
- No application fee is mentioned in the available advertisement
- No reservation breakup is mentioned in the available advertisement
- No written test pattern is mentioned
- No interview date is published in the available notice
- No admit card process is mentioned
Applicants should monitor IIT Kanpur's official recruitment sources for any later shortlisting or interview communication.
Official Contact and Links
The advertisement is signed by Dr. Ashok Kumar, Professor-in-charge, Wadhwani Innovation Network - Centre of Excellence, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh. The email address mentioned in the signature line is akbiolabs2004@gmail.com, and the application instruction line also includes head.wincoeiitk@gmail.com.
Candidates should rely on IIT Kanpur's official recruitment pages and the advertisement page for any update, clarification or closing-date change related to this recruitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for IIT Kanpur Chief Executive Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply is 22 April 2026.
How many vacancies are available in IIT Kanpur CEO Recruitment 2026?
There is one vacancy for the Chief Executive Officer post.
What is the age limit for the IIT Kanpur CEO post?
The official advertisement sets the age limit at 45 years.
What qualification is required for IIT Kanpur Chief Executive Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates should have a post-graduate degree in science, technology, management or medicine from a reputed university or institution.
How much experience is required for this IIT Kanpur CEO post?
The official notice requires a minimum of 8 to 12 years of relevant experience.
Is the IIT Kanpur Chief Executive Officer application fully online?
The official advertisement says the application on plain paper with complete biodata should be sent by post or email, so applicants should follow that method.
What is the salary for IIT Kanpur Chief Executive Officer Recruitment 2026?
The remuneration is in the consolidated range Rs. 1,50,000-10,000-2,50,000, with initial consolidated pay of Rs. 1,50,000 per month based on suitability and experience.