IIT Madras Senior Program Manager Recruitment 2026: 1 Vacancy

This role is ideal for highly accomplished PhD holders in Engineering or Science disciplines (Mechanical, Chemical, Energy, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry) with a minimum of five years of post-PhD experience. The successful candidate will possess a strong research background, ideally in energy or cleantech, coupled with at least three years of administrative or program management experience. Candidates with proven leadership skills, a deep understanding of high-level research, and operational discipline to manage multi-stakeholder facilities within an academic research environment will thrive.

Individuals without a PhD in the specified fields, or those lacking the mandatory five years of post-PhD experience including at least three years in administrative/management roles, should not apply. This is a temporary, contract-based position initially for one year, thus candidates seeking permanent government employment or roles without significant administrative oversight will find it unsuitable. The role requires substantial experience, making it inappropriate for freshers or those with limited post-doctoral work.

Working at IIT Madras, a globally recognized institution for excellence in engineering and research, offers immense prestige. This leadership-track position, designed to potentially lead to a Chief Operating Officer (COO) role within 18-24 months, offers significant professional growth and exposure to large-scale national energy transition projects with PSUs and government bodies. While initially temporary, the potential for extension based on performance and the clear career progression path highlight strong long-term growth opportunities within the research and academic administration sector.