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Research Program Manager, Academic Relations
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Research Program Manager, Academic Relations
Meta's Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team is dedicated to advancing research in artificial intelligence and delivering breakthroughs in a variety of areas. Our work spans the full spectrum of AI — from core theory and algorithms to applications, infrastructure, and responsible development. We actively engage with the research community through publications, open-source contributions, participation in top-tier conferences, and deep collaborations with leading academic institutions worldwide. A cornerstone of FAIR's mission is our investment in the next generation of AI researchers. Through our EMEA PhD Program, we partner with top universities across Europe to co-supervise PhD students who conduct cutting-edge research alongside FAIR scientists while pursuing their doctoral degrees. The program operates across multiple countries and is a key driver of FAIR's academic partnerships and talent pipeline in the region. We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead our EMEA PhD program. This role manages the operations and partnerships that make the program a success— from negotiating university agreements to ensuring students and mentors have the support they need to produce high-impact research. You will serve as the primary point of contact for university partners, FAIR research leadership, and cross-functional teams across Meta, and maintain the operational excellence and governance rigor that a program of this scale and sensitivity requires. The ideal candidate combines deep experience in academic program management or university relations with a track record of building and scaling complex programs in a fast-paced, global environment. You are a strategic thinker who can also execute with attention to detail and accuracy — comfortable navigating legal agreements, cross-cultural partnerships, and research community norms.
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Research Program Manager, Academic Relations Responsibilities
Program Operations & Governance Contribute to the program roadmap and drive the execution of key initiatives Manage the full program lifecycle: student onboarding, mentor matching, ongoing support, and program completions Implement and enforce program governance Oversee PhD students across multiple countries, ensuring they have a well-supported and productive experience Design and run operational processes that scale University Partnerships & Agreements Build and maintain deep relationships with university leaders, department heads, and PhD advisors across EMEA Drive negotiations and execution of Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs) and collaboration frameworks with university partners Mentor & Stakeholder Enablement Partner closely with FAIR researchers to define project scopes and set expectations for student supervision Facilitate alignment between Meta mentors and academic advisors on research direction, publication plans, and student development External Representation & Community Engagement Represent Meta's PhD programs at academic conferences and university career events Develop content and participate in presentations to engage prospective students and academic partners Collaborate with recruiting on external positioning, career site content, and brand campaigns to attract top PhD talent
Minimum Qualifications
5+ years of program/project management experience, with significant experience managing academic, research, or university partnership programs Experience in negotiating and managing institutional agreements or contracts (e.g., sponsored research agreements, MOUs, partnership frameworks) Strong cross-functional collaboration: demonstrated ability to drive outcomes across Legal, Finance, HR, Recruiting, and research stakeholders without direct authority Excellent communication skills — written, verbal, and presentational — with the ability to effectively engage cross-functional partners and external stakeholders Experience working in international/multi-country contexts, ideally across the EMEA region Ability to navigate ambiguity and manage competing priorities effectively Master's degree in a relevant field
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience managing PhD programs, postdoctoral programs, or academic fellowship programs Track record of representing organizations externally at academic events Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements) Familiarity with academic research culture, publication norms, and PhD supervision dynamics A PhD in a relevant field Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews) Experience working directly with AI/ML research teams or in an AI research organization
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