Fractional Chief Innovation and Research Officer

Company Description:

AgroNest Ventures Private Limited is an agri-tech company focused on transforming agriculture through sustainable, technology-driven innovation across the entire value chain. The organization develops advanced agricultural technologies that enhance productivity, resource efficiency, and food quality while prioritizing environmental responsibility. AgroNest empowers farmers and partners with data-driven insights, precision tools, and modern practices to build a smarter, greener, and more resilient agricultural ecosystem. With a global vision for sustainable agriculture, the company combines deep expertise, cutting-edge technology, and strong collaboration to address the complex challenges of modern farming and food security. Applicants joining AgroNest will contribute to impactful solutions that align innovation with real-world agricultural needs and planetary well-being.

Role Description:

The Fractional Chief Innovation and Research Officer [Deep-Tech ClimateTech AI/LLM] will lead the strategic design and execution of AgroNest’s innovation, research, and intellectual property roadmap in climate-focused deep-tech and AI/LLM applications. This full-time hybrid role, based in Singapore with flexibility for some work-from-home, involves spearheading advanced R&D initiatives, overseeing applied research programs, and guiding the integration of AI, machine learning, and data platforms into agricultural products and services. The role includes directing multidisciplinary teams, mentoring senior researchers and engineers, and establishing rigor in experimental design, field trials, and impact measurement. The officer will collaborate with executive leadership to shape product strategy, secure and manage patents and IP portfolios, and build partnerships with academic institutions, industry, and public-sector organizations. Day-to-day tasks include reviewing research outputs, aligning innovation pipelines with business goals, preparing strategic reports and thought leadership, and representing AgroNest in expert forums and investor discussions while ensuring that all innovation is ethically grounded and scalable.

Qualifications:

• Strong analytical skills and statistical expertise to design experiments, evaluate complex datasets, and derive actionable insights.
• Excellent written communication and report writing capabilities to produce research papers, technical documentation, and executive briefings.
• Advanced research skills, including methodology development, literature review, and evidence-based evaluation in deep-tech and ClimateTech domains.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills for leading cross-functional teams, collaborating with external partners, and engaging stakeholders.
• Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, AI/ML, Climate Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline), preferably from a highly recognized global institution.
• Demonstrated experience as a senior innovation or research leader (e.g., CIO, CSO, or equivalent) in AI/LLM, ClimateTech, or deep-tech environments.
• Proven track record of patent generation, IP portfolio management, and commercialization of research into scalable products or platforms.