"Director for Research Initiatives and Services (RIS)"

ABOUT MEMORIAL

Memorial University has a vibrant culture of creativity and innovation that is reflected in the research activities of our scholars and researchers. Memorial has matured into a research intensive post-secondary institution with a total of about $160 million sponsored research income in 2024-2025 and about 1,600 grant applications each year. Our university is recognized nationally and internationally for its rich record of engagement with community partners and research collaborators, in Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world. The Office of the Vice-President (Research) and its portfolio, including Research Initiatives & Services (RIS), provides critical support and resources to Memorial's evolving research community.

RIS is the primary contact for all research funding applications and all research related awards and contracts at Memorial. The team of 127 employees manages about 3,000 active files each year.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a passionate and dynamic leader to serve as the next Director for Research Initiatives and Services (RIS). Reporting to the Vice-President (Research) VPR, the Director of RIS provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of RIS. As a special advisor to the VPR, the role is essential for advancing Memorial's research mission, fostering faculty success, and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the university, partners, funding agencies, and governments.

The Director is responsible for all central administrative functions of Memorial's research services, providing strategic direction to develop, implement and monitor processes that ensure Memorial's research success and compliance with regulations, while working closely with the VPR and other senior leaders at Memorial. Duties include overseeing the full cycle of research administration from developing, reviewing, and submitting research funding applications to administering research contracts, agreements, and awards, while ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements; overseeing critical core facilities dedicated to enabling the research enterprise at Memorial; and , in collaboration with leaders and staff from academic and operating units, providing strategic advice on complex matters to strengthen the research ecosystem at Memorial. The Director is the official custodian of all researcher records in the information system for research management and support at Memorial (ROMEO). A significant aspect of this role involves managing complex decisions that require deep knowledge across multiple areas – internal and external policies and procedures, the research funding paradigm and its compliance requirements, the key enablers critical to core facility management, effective business practices, and an informed perspective on the broad impacts to the university research enterprise.

The Director provides leadership to the daily operations of four distinct areas within RIS: Pre­Award Services; Strategic Services, including Major Research Projects (MRP), Strategic Initiatives (SI) and Core Research Equipment & Instrument Training Network (CREAIT Network); Hibernia and Hebron Research & Development Initiative (HHRDI) and Centre for Analytics, Informatics and Research (CAIR).

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Leadership experience (over 10 years) in research administration and completion of a graduate degree is required; an equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered. Experience in an academic environment would be an asset. The ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated passion for research as well as experience mentoring, coaching and supporting a team. The ability to understand the needs and to foster partnerships across a broad stakeholder group, including investigators, faculties, graduate students, industry partners and the granting agencies is critical. The incumbent shall be committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation in research. Exceptional relationship building, communication and organizational skills, along with well-developed problem-solving abilities, are essential attributes.

For any questions, or to receive additional information, please contact leadershiprecruitment@mun.ca.

SALARY

$138,594 - $182,360 per annum (Leadership Group)

CLOSING DATE

January 5, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. NST

COMPETITION NO.

MUN03376

Please note that we will ONLY accept applications for this position through our website https://www.mun.ca/hr/careers/

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; persons whose gender identity or gender expression is nonbinary or otherwise not cisgender; Indigenous peoples; racialized people; black persons; and persons with disabilities. Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment.

If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process, please contact equity@mun.ca directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.