Vice-President (Research and Innovation)

With gratitude, the University of Guelph recognizes that its campuses are located on the lands of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and the traditional lands of the Hodinöhsö:ni’, Anishinaabeg and Huron Wendat, and offers respect to the Mississaugas of the Credit, Six Nations of the Grand River, the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown and the diverse communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who reside on these lands. The University of Guelph also recognizes that its educational and research enterprises occur on Indigenous lands across Turtle Island and Mother Earth and endeavours to ensure that its activities honour and respect Indigenous peoples and their lands.

Are you a forward thinking research leader who can accelerate discovery, innovation, and impact with real-world relevance at a university renowned for its support of world-class researchers and interdisciplinary excellence? Do you want to join a vibrant university community in one of Canada’s most liveable cities? The University of Guelph is a research powerhouse with incredible capacity for interdisciplinary research in solving the world’s big problems. The genius of the University of Guelph lies in their strength in both basic and translational research. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Vice-President (Research and Innovation) (VPRI) are invited, with the appointment to be effective summer 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the next phase of research, innovation, and community engagement activities of a university that continues to Improve Life.

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor as a collaborative member of the executive team leading the University, the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) is the internal and external advocate for research and innovation, providing leadership and vision in shaping strategic priorities, across research and innovation, including knowledge mobilization, social and policy innovation, creative inquiry, and commercialization. Within the University, the VPRI promotes the research mission, communicates and celebrates achievements, enhances multidisciplinary activities and collaborations, and fosters an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that allows research excellence and innovation to flourish. Externally, the VPRI advances knowledge translation by working effectively with businesses, communities, and governments, while showcasing the accomplishments of the University’s research community and advancing partnerships, initiatives, and funding on a local, provincial, national, and international level. The VPRI also has an important role in building industry relationships and furthering the University’s advancement efforts. The VPRI must also understand the operational realities of research administration and compliance, and support streamlined, researcher-friendly systems.

Candidates for Vice-President (Research and Innovation) will be accomplished researchers, scholars, or creative practitioners, exemplary leaders, and collaborative teambuilders with a proven record of directing and strengthening large, complex academic research and innovation enterprises, as well as a demonstrated history of securing significant competitive research funding. With an open, transparent, respectful, team-focused, and collegial approach to leadership, communication, and interpersonal relationships, the new VPRI will champion equity, diversity, and inclusion, and empower the Office of Research to support its people, partnerships, and community. Able to develop and promote multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research initiatives, the new VPRI will excel in obtaining internal and external support for research, connecting and translating research impacts to the community, and engaging with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and partners. The new VPRI will be an innovative problem solver with a sophisticated understanding of the relationships between research, open science and open access, knowledge translation and mobilization, innovation, and commercialization as interconnected drivers of research impact. A strong understanding of the Tri-Agency funding landscape, including opportunities to increase SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR support, is expected.

The University of Guelph has achieved prominence in Canada and around the world for its commitment to developing exceptional thinkers and engaged citizens. The University continues to play an integral role in the educational, business, and cultural life of Ontario, through its research, innovation, leading edge interdisciplinary and experiential education in the physical and life sciences, arts, business, social sciences, engineering, and agricultural and veterinary sciences. Dedicated to cultivating the essentials for our quality of life – water, food, environment, animal and human health, community, commerce, social justice, culture, and learning, the University of Guelph community of over 36,000 students and over 4,000 faculty and staff share a focus on collegiality, a profound sense of social responsibility, an obligation to address local and global issues, and a concern for sustainable development.

Research at Guelph reflects the University’s strategic research framework themes: catalyzing discovery and change, connecting communities, inspiring learning and inquiry, stewarding valued resources, and nurturing a distinctive university culture. The Office of Research oversees a $199 million research enterprise across eight colleges, the Ridgetown regional campus, and 20 research centres and facilities across 13 Ontario locations, as well as University of Guelph-Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Agreement. With collaborations in 77 countries and the greatest number of invention disclosures per faculty member in Canada, the University of Guelph is a leader in the creation and dissemination of knowledge with impact.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Guelph and Laverne Smith & Associates Inc. will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. Acknowledging the University’s diverse population and ensuring that every member of an inclusive campus is a valued contributor is a foundational pillar of success. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

The consultants will begin review of candidates immediately, with committee consideration later in the new year, and will continue until the role is filled. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names (not letters) of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and should be submitted in confidence to the University’s executive search consultants:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.
GuelphVPRI@lavernesmith.com

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