"Vice-President (Research and Innovation)"

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 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