Unpaid Leadership

Type: Unpaid Internship (Strategic & Leadership Roles) positions

Duration: 6 or 12 months

Work Mode: Remote with optional on-site presence during the event

Target Profile: Senior students, PhD candidates, postdocs, early-career professionals, startup ecosystem contributors

All roles require strong organizational skills, professional communication, and the ability to use digital and AI tools to manage complex, long-running tasks efficiently.

Scientific Program Chair (Academic Chair)

Role Overview

The Scientific Program Chair is responsible for the academic credibility, research quality, and intellectual direction of the conference. This role is central to attracting high-quality submissions and reputable researchers.

Responsibilities

Define the overall academic vision and scope

• Design and publish the Call for Papers (CfP)
• Define research tracks and themes
• Approve Track Chairs, Session Chairs, and reviewers
• Oversee the peer-review quality and fairness
• Ensure academic standards comparable to reputable international conferences

Requirements

Strong academic background (PhD or equivalent preferred)

• Experience with academic conferences, journals, or peer review
• Recognized research or teaching profile
• Ability to coordinate reviewers and chairs efficiently using digital tools

Track Chairs / Session Chairs (Core Tracks)

Role Overview

Track Chairs are responsible for owning and promoting specific thematic tracks and driving paper submissions through their academic and professional networks.

Example Tracks

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Semiconductors & Hardware
• FinTech & Digital Payments
• Digital Health
• Industry 4.0 & Manufacturing
• Sustainability & Energy

Responsibilities

Promote the Call for Papers within universities and labs

• Invite submissions from relevant researchers
• Coordinate reviews within their track
• Chair sessions during the conference
• Maintain quality and relevance of accepted papers

Requirements

Academic or industry expertise in the track area

• Strong professional or research network
• Experience reviewing papers or organizing sessions
• Ability to manage submissions and reviewers using online platforms

Research & University Relations Manager

Strategically Critical Role

Role Overview

This role focuses on building long-term academic relationships with universities, research labs, and PhD schools.

Responsibilities

Outreach to professors, departments, and research labs

• Coordinate university partnerships and MoUs
• Support special sessions, workshops, and academic panels
• Manage targeted email campaigns to academic institutions
• Act as a bridge between the Scientific Chair and universities

Requirements

Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Experience in academia, research administration, or partnerships
• Ability to manage outreach pipelines systematically
• Professional written communication skills

Publication & Proceedings Manager

Role Overview

The Publication & Proceedings Manager ensures a smooth, professional, and deadline-driven paper submission and review process.

Responsibilities

Set up and manage submission systems (EasyChair, OpenReview, etc.)

• Define and maintain submission, review, and camera-ready timelines
• Coordinate communication with authors and reviewers
• Prepare proceedings metadata and documentation
• Ensure compliance with academic publishing standards

Requirements

Experience with academic submission platforms

• Strong organizational and deadline management skills
• High attention to detail
• Clear written communication

Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships

Revenue Backbone Role

Role Overview

This role defines and drives the overall sponsorship and partnership strategy for the conference.

Responsibilities

Design sponsorship packages and value propositions

• Identify and secure anchor sponsors
• Negotiate strategic partnerships
• Coordinate with marketing and event leadership
• Manage high-level corporate relationships

Requirements

Experience in business development, partnerships, or sales

• Strong negotiation and communication skills
• Understanding of corporate sponsorship models
• Structured and strategic mindset

Sponsorship & Exhibition Sales Manager

Execution-Focused Role

Role Overview

Responsible for selling exhibition booths and sponsorship packages and managing sponsor pipelines.

Responsibilities

Outreach to tech companies, corporates, and industry partners

• Manage follow-ups, approvals, and sponsor onboarding
• Coordinate exhibitor requirements
• Maintain CRM-style tracking of leads and deals

Requirements

Sales, account management, or partnership experience

• Persistence and structured follow-up capability
• Professional communication skills
• Ability to manage long sales cycles

Startup Program Lead

Ecosystem Builder

Role Overview

The Startup Program Lead designs and manages startup-focused formats such as competitions, awards, and exhibition programs.

Responsibilities

Design startup awards and pitch programs

• Coordinate startup booth participation
• Build relationships with accelerators and incubators
• Promote startup calls and manage applications
• Support founders before and during the event

Requirements

Startup ecosystem experience

• Familiarity with accelerators, incubators, or venture programs
• Strong coordination and community-building skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset

Investor Relations Lead

Trust & Credibility Role

Role Overview

This role manages relationships with investors and designs investor-focused conference formats.

Responsibilities

Outreach to angel investors, VCs, and corporate VCs

• Coordinate investor-only sessions and meetings
• Align investor participation with startup programs
• Build long-term investor engagement strategy

Requirements

Understanding of venture capital and startup funding

• Strong professional network or outreach capability
• High credibility and communication skills
• Structured relationship management approach

Head of Marketing & Communications

Momentum & Visibility Owner

Role Overview

Responsible for conference positioning, messaging, and visibility across academic, tech, and business audiences.

Responsibilities

Define conference narrative and positioning

• Coordinate CfP promotion campaigns
• Align messaging across research, startups, and sponsors
• Oversee all communication channels

Requirements

Marketing or communications experience

• Strategic storytelling ability
• Experience with tech or academic audiences
• Strong coordination skills

Content & Community Manager

Engagement Driver

Role Overview

This role builds trust, consistency, and community engagement over time.

Responsibilities

Manage website content and updates

• Promote CfP, speakers, and researchers
• Manage LinkedIn, newsletters, and community channels
• Engage academic and tech communities regularly

Requirements

Content creation and community management experience

• Strong written communication skills
• Familiarity with LinkedIn and newsletter platforms
• Consistency and reliability

Event Director / Program Director

Central Coordination Role

Role Overview

The Event Director ensures alignment, timing, and execution across all teams.

Responsibilities

Own the master project timeline

• Coordinate academic, business, marketing, and operations teams
• Identify risks and resolve cross-team issues
• Ensure readiness for event execution

Requirements

Strong project or program management experience

• Ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams
• Leadership and decision-making skills
• High reliability under pressure

Conference Platform / Website Product Owner

Technical Foundation Role

Role Overview

Responsible for the digital backbone of the conference.

Responsibilities

Own website and platform requirements

• Coordinate registration, submission, and application forms
• Work with developers and designers
• Ensure platform stability and usability

Requirements

Product ownership or web platform experience

• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements
• Strong coordination and prioritization skills
• Basic understanding of web systems

Commission-based incentives for all successful sales, including:

Ticket sales

• Sponsorship packages
• Exhibition booths
• Partnership agreements

Fully remote work with optional on-site participation during the event

• Flexible working hours, outcome-focused rather than time-based
• Direct involvement in a high-profile international conference / expo
• Professional visibility within academic, startup, and industry ecosystems
• Official certificate of contribution and letter of recommendation upon successful completion
• Priority consideration for future paid roles or long-term collaboration opportunities