Job Description
Shape tomorrow's breakthroughs as our lead 2026 Futurist Innovation Strategist. Join NextGen Labs to architect transformative solutions at the intersection of AI, biotechnology, and sustainable infrastructure. You'll spearhead our 2026 innovation roadmap, guiding cross-disciplinary teams to pioneer technologies that redefine human potential and planetary health.
We're seeking visionary thinkers who thrive at the bleeding edge of possibility. This role demands strategic foresight, technical acumen, and the ability to translate speculative concepts into actionable blueprints for the future. Your insights will directly influence our $500M R&D portfolio and shape industry standards for the coming decade.
Responsibilities
- Architect the 2026 innovation roadmap by identifying emerging tech convergence points (AI x Biotech x Quantum)
- Lead horizon scanning initiatives to anticipate disruptive forces in climate tech and human augmentation
- Develop speculative prototypes for next-gen interfaces and autonomous systems
- Collaborate with Nobel laureates and Fortune 500 CTOs on future-proofing frameworks
- Pioneer ethical AI governance protocols for 2026-era autonomous systems
- Present strategic foresight to C-suite stakeholders and industry consortiums
- Mentor a multidisciplinary team of futurists, engineers, and design thinkers
Qualifications
- 15+ years in strategic innovation or R&D leadership with proven 10-year horizon planning
- Expertise in converging technologies: generative AI, synthetic biology, quantum computing
- Published research in peer-reviewed futurist journals (e.g., Futures Studies Review)
- Portfolio of implemented future-casting projects with measurable impact
- PhD in Futures Studies, Systems Engineering, or equivalent thought leadership
- Fluency in futures forecasting methodologies (Delphi, causal layered analysis)
- Track record of securing $100M+ in future-focused R&D funding