Unpaid Leadership & Coordination Positions
Job Type
Skills & Technologies
Job Description
Tasks
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.
Requirements
1️⃣ 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
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2️⃣ 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
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3️⃣ 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
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4️⃣ 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
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5️⃣ 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
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6️⃣ 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
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7️⃣ 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
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8️⃣ 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
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9️⃣ 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
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🔟 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
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1️⃣1️⃣ 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
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1️⃣2️⃣ 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
Benefits
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
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