Chief Specialist- Research and Development

Beginning of the main content section.Return to the home pagePrintable Format Job Description - Chief Specialist- Research and Development (26001327)Job Description Chief Specialist- Research and Development - (26001327) Job Description Job PurposeLead research governance, partnerships, programs, and IP enablement; steer R&D centers, awards, and proof-of-concepts; and deliver high-quality studies and outcomes aligned with RTA strategy and future directions. Roles and ResponsibilitiesStrategy Develop and update Authority research and studies policies, processes, systems, annual plans and KPIs, aligning them with RTA strategy and standards. Promote a research culture and define publishing frameworks, authorship rules, and review cycles for Authority research outputs. Establish governance for R&D centers, aligning portfolios, KPIs, and annual plans with future directions and sector needs. Define proof-of-concept governance with selection criteria, test protocols, evaluation gates, and reporting cadence. Direct the RTA Scientific Research Award framework, rubrics, calendar, and improvement actions to raise submission quality. Plan strategic research partnerships with universities and centers, defining scopes, benefits, IP clauses, and performance indicators.Operations Supervise corporate research projects from concept to delivery, meeting scope, schedule, budget, and quality gates. Coordinate research initiatives with Dubai Future Foundation and integrate deliverables into departmental plans. Govern the central database for research outputs; enforce data standards, metadata, access controls, and publication workflows. Prepare policy/strategy documentation, leadership presentations, and periodic reports on research indicators, initiatives, risks, and corrective actions. Scout internal researchers, deliver awareness programs, and mentor early-career researchers to strengthen the pipeline. Provide linkages to legal and IP experts; guide researchers to register and protect IP per approved procedures. Draft and review MoUs and collaboration agreements; monitor partner obligations, deliverables, and realized benefits.Product/Process Improvement Review research and PoC outcomes; mandate adoption, iteration, or closure; capture lessons and reusable methods. Review and develop R&D sources, frameworks, and tools; enhance researcher toolkits, templates, and guidance to improve collaboration and study quality. Analyze performance trends; recommend corrective actions; and update research policies, processes, frameworks and KPIs. Qualifications QualificationsBachelor’s/ Master’s degree in Engineering/Science9+ years in case of Master’s degree(11+ years in case of Bachelor’s degree)Expertise in R&D project design/execution, academic partnerships, and research governanceCertifications such as PMP/PRINCE2 (or equivalent), research ethics(e.g., CITI) Job Category: Quality and ExcellenceAdvertiser: Roads and Transport AuthorityDepartment: Innovation & PioneeringEducational-level: BachelorRequired Nationality: UAE Only Suitable for people with determination: YesMonthly Salary: UnspecifiedSchedule-Time: Full timeJob Posting: 09/07/2026Unposting Date: 08/08/2026

Bachelor’s/ Master’s degree in Engineering/Science; 9+ years in case of Master’s degree (11+ years in case of Bachelor’s degree); Expertise in R&D project design/execution, academic partnerships, and research governance; Certifications such as PMP/PRINCE2 (or equivalent), research ethics (e.g., CITI).

Roles and Responsibilities: Strategy - Develop and update Authority research and studies policies, processes, systems, annual plans and KPIs; promote a research culture and define publishing frameworks, authorship rules, and review cycles; establish governance for R&D centers; define proof-of-concept governance; direct the RTA Scientific Research Award framework, rubrics, calendar, and improvement actions; plan strategic research partnerships with universities and centers; Operations - Supervise corporate research projects from concept to delivery within scope, schedule, budget, and quality gates; coordinate research initiatives with Dubai Future Foundation; govern the central database for research outputs; prepare policy/strategy documentation and periodic reports; scout internal researchers and mentor early-career researchers; provide linkages to legal and IP experts; draft and review MoUs and collaboration agreements; Product/Process Improvement - Review PoC outcomes and determine adoption or iteration; review and develop R&D sources, frameworks, and tools; analyze performance trends and update policies, processes, frameworks and KPIs.