Context And Mission The BSC AI Factory Startup Acceleration Programme is designed to support early-stage and growth-stage startups working with artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC), helping them accelerate product development, access advanced technical resources, and scale innovative deep-tech solutions. The programme leverages the scientific capabilities of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, including access to MareNostrum, expert mentoring, and tailored technical training, to strengthen the competitiveness and innovation capacity of startups within the European ecosystem.
The Head of the BSC AI Factory Startup Acceleration Programme is responsible for defining and leading the strategic direction, operational implementation, and external positioning of the acceleration programme. This role ensures high-quality support to participating startups, coordinates deep-tech mentorship and training activities, and represents the programme in public and institutional forums. Reporting to the BSC AI Factory leadership, the Head of Programme ensures that the acceleration activities are aligned with BSC strategic objectives and delivered with excellence, impact, and visibility.
This project is funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2020/2094 of 14 December 2020, and regulated by Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021, in the context of the “BSC AI Factory” project.
The BSC AI Factory project has received funding from the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 101234399. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme and Spain, Portugal, and Türkiye.
For more information, please check: Key Duties
* ● Lead the strategic vision of the Startup Acceleration Programme, ensuring alignment with BSC and AI Factory priorities and innovation objectives.
● Represent the programme publicly, acting as its spokesperson in media engagements, events, innovation forums, and strategic partnership settings.
● Oversee programme execution, including the definition of startup selection criteria, progress monitoring, and validation of key operational and strategic decisions (, evolution of the acceleration model).
● Coordinate and ensure availability of deep-tech mentors in AI, HPC, data engineering, and related fields from the BSC, guaranteeing quality and relevance of technical support.
● Facilitate and supervise access to the MareNostrum supercomputer for participating startups, including prioritization management and high-performance computing guidance.
● Collaborate with the external contractor’s mentor network, ensuring complementarity between business mentoring and BSC’s deep-tech specialization.
● Lead the design and delivery of the programme’s technical training plan, in collaboration with BSC technical teams and external contributors.
● Work closely with BSC technical leadership and the acceleration programme operator to ensure that training content is technically robust, well-oriented, and effectively executed.
Requirements
* Education
o ● University degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Business Administration, Innovation Management, or a related field.
● Master’s degree in technology management, entrepreneurship, or innovation ecosystems is an asset.
● Additional training in startup development, venture strategy, technology transfer, or research-to-market programs is desirable.
* Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
o ● Demonstrated experience in managing or leading startup acceleration, innovation programmes, technology transfer initiatives, or related entrepreneurial support environments.
● Experience working with deep-tech, AI, HPC, or data-intensive technologies, with the ability to understand and evaluate their use cases and development needs.
● Proven ability to work with startup founders, research teams, technical mentors, and industry stakeholders in high-growth and innovation-driven contexts.
● Experience designing and coordinating training, mentoring, or capacity-building programmes for entrepreneurs or technical teams.
● Familiarity with European innovation ecosystems (, EIC, Digital Innovation Hubs, Deep Tech incubators, research infrastructures) is highly valued.
* Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
o ● Experience facilitating access to advanced computing or digital research infrastructures (HPC, AI compute clusters, cloud platforms) is an advantage.
● Understanding of early-stage business development, technology validation, and go-to-market challenges in deep-tech startups.
● Previous role(s) involving public representation, stakeholder engagement, or serving as institutional spokesperson is desirable.
● Knowledge of European funding programmes related to innovation and startups is considered a plus.
* Competences
o ● Strong leadership and coordination skills, with the ability to inspire and engage diverse stakeholder groups.
● Excellent communication and public-speaking abilities, comfortable representing institutional initiatives in external forums.
● Strategic mindset and capacity to translate programme objectives into actionable plans.
● High level of autonomy, responsibility, and ability to manage complex activities across multiple partners and timelines.
● Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
● Fluency in Spanish and English is required; Catalan is an asset.
● Availability to travel for programme activities and events when needed within the Spanish territory.
Conditions
* The position will be located at BSC within the Directors Department
* We offer a full-time contract a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance
* Duration: 3 years
* Holidays: 22 days of holidays + 6 personal days + 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
* Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
* Starting date: asap