Innovation Specialist R&D (AI Focus) 

What you will do

In this role, you operate at the intersection of innovation, technology, and applied AI. You translate complex challenges into concrete, validated use cases and early-stage concepts, working closely with researchers, customers, and end users. 

• You analyse complex problems and workflows, translating them into a clear scope and direction for AI-driven (prototype) development projects. 
• You collaborate closely with researchers, customers, and end users to identify high-value AI use cases, turning real-world challenges into concrete, feasible opportunities. 
• You structure and formalize use cases by defining requirements, specifications, constraints, data needs, and success criteria, ensuring alignment across teams and reducing ambiguity.
• You actively contribute to use case validation, monitoring research progress against defined specifications and evaluating outcomes at key milestones and completion.
• You identify and engage relevant stakeholders and gather their needs through interviews, workshops, and co-creation sessions.
• You stay up to date with AI and technology trends and translate them into new opportunities, with a focus on domains such as: 

• Digital Twinning
• AI for Semicon
• AI for Chip Applications
• HW/SW Co-design 

•  You facilitate workshops (e.g. ideation, Voice of the Customer, concept validation) and synthesize insights from multiple sources to support decision-making.
• You act as a connector between research, engineering, and application domains, contributing to knowledge sharing and cross-team alignment. 

What we do for you

You will join the AI Use Cases team, part of the ISSA expertise centre (Innovative Systems, Software and Applications) at imec. 
This team focuses on bridging research and real-world application by: 

• Identifying high-value AI use cases through structured stakeholder exploration and problem framing 
• Defining clear requirements and specifications to ensure alignment and actionable development 
• Validating and aligning use cases by monitoring research progress and evaluating results against defined success criteria 

By working closely with AI researchers and application domains, the team ensures that imec’s AI innovations translate into impactful, real-world solutions across sectors such as industry, healthcare, automotive, and beyond.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You hold a master’s degree combining technology/engineering with innovation, and have at least 3 years of relevant experience. 
• You have a strong interest in AI or proven experience in AI-related projects, and are motivated to deepen your expertise in emerging AI paradigms. 
• You are able to define, structure, and validate AI use cases in collaboration with researchers and stakeholders in an early-stage R&D environment. 
• You have experience translating real-world challenges into structured problem statements and actionable innovation trajectories. 
• You are empathetic, analytical, and a strong communicator. You identify and align the needs and goals of diverse stakeholders, synthesize complex inputs into a shared understanding, and translate them into clear requirements, plans, and communications. 
• You collaborate effectively across disciplines and act as a translator between technical teams and application domains. 
• You demonstrate strong analytical and abstract thinking and maintain structured documentation. 
• You bring an application- and customer-oriented mindset into research and innovation activities. 
• You are comfortable facilitating workshops and co-creation sessions with technical teams and stakeholders. 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.