"Vice-Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation"

SECTEUR DE RATTACHEMENT:

Rectorat

LIEU DE TRAVAIL:

Pavillon Alphonse-Desjardins de l’UQAC, Chicoutimi (Québec)

L’UQAC is seeking a visionary and mobilizing individual to join its executive team as Vice-Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation. Recognized as one of Canada’s most dynamic universities in research, UQAC ranked 32nd among the top 50 research universities in the country in 2024, and first in partnership research among universities offering undergraduate programs. Driven by engaged teams, a strong culture of innovation, and sustained growth in funding, now nearing $35 million, UQAC aims to continue this momentum. The selected individual will play a strategic role in implementing the institutional vision for research, creation, and innovation, with a spirit of rigor, collaboration, and alignment with the University’s key orientations.

SUMMARY OF THE FUNCTION

The person appointed to the Vice-Rectorate for Research, Creation, and Innovation (VRRCI) works closely with the Rector and other Vice-Rectors to ensure the University’s growth and success. The Vice-Rector participates in defining and achieving institutional objectives outlined in the strategic plan. Specifically, they lead the strategic vision for the University’s research, creation, and innovation mission, ensuring the deployment and access to necessary human, material, and financial resources to meet these objectives.

Reporting to the Rector, the Vice-Rector holds a key position in the University’s senior management. Their role is essential in developing policies and activities related to research, creation, and innovation on local, national, and international levels. They identify and seize opportunities to maintain and develop research niches and funding possibilities in collaboration with partners from academic, philanthropic, industrial, community, and governmental sectors.

In this capacity, the VRRCI is responsible for enhancing, promoting, and developing research, creation, and innovation. Their programs support the production, dissemination, and transfer of knowledge developed at UQAC, as well as technological and social innovation. They can rely on a team of advisors, the teams of the Dean’s Office for Research, Innovation, and Creation (DRCI), Library Services, and the Shared Major Research Infrastructure (MIRE) (https://www.uqac.ca/mire/).

SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The VRRCI has a global vision of the University. They adhere to the University’s strategic plan and contribute to ongoing reflection for its implementation. The VRRCI actualizes and ensures the achievement of strategic objectives for their sector and reports to the governance committee accordingly. They play a leading role in deploying strategic management practices for all resources under their responsibility, maintaining dynamic links with the University’s various components.
• They work with industry partners, governments, funding councils, and other research and innovation institutions to create a dynamic, collaborative, and stimulating environment for research, creation, and innovation.
• The VRRCI possesses excellent management skills, including the ability to animate and coordinate working committees, and ensures these skills are kept up to date.
• They ensure compliance with standards and best practices for the sound governance of public funds in research, in the University’s interest.

Internal Management

• The VRRCI understands the importance of mobilizing and strategic management. They assume leadership, in collaboration with their teams, on issues related to research, creation, innovation, and Library Services. They ensure the application of best management practices for all activities of the Vice-Rectorate, including the development of research units, infrastructure and equipment for scientific production, and support for the visibility and reputation of research, creation, and innovation at UQAC.
• They have a strong sense of communication and engagement with the organization. The selected individual provides constant and tailored support to research units for the implementation of their respective strategic and annual action plans.
• The VRRCI ensures that support services for research grant applications, research ethics assistance, and grant administration meet the needs of the faculty community, particularly through the DRCI.
• They are responsible for Library Services and oversee the development of the sector’s strategic plan, which must ensure access to high-performance technologies for learning, teaching, and research for the university community.
• They are responsible for the Shared Research Infrastructure (MIRE), oversee the development of the sector’s strategic plan to propose environments conducive to creativity, excellence, success, and innovation.
• They are responsible for the application and updating of regulations, policies, and procedures related to research and creation, as well as monitoring measures and commitments for accountability to ministries and funders.
• The VRRCI is results-oriented. Through their experience and vision for research development, they implement concrete measures to contribute to achieving the targets set in the Institutional Strategic Plan.
• The VRRCI handles institutional representation on various committees related to their responsibilities, including promoting research and creation within UQAC.
• They play a role in promoting university research and scholarships to students at all levels.
• In collaboration with the Vice-Rector for Studies, Training, and Success, the VRRCI ensures resource planning to meet the University’s needs, including planning and evaluating professor positions and managing human resources.
• The VRRCI advises the Commission on Studies, Research, and Creation on the organization, development, and coordination of research, creation, and innovation, as well as nominations to research unit director positions.

External Management

• At the request of the Rector, they represent the University with various regional and provincial organizations, federal and provincial funding bodies, external organizations, economic, social, and cultural environments, public or private, and other universities. This role involves promoting research, its valorization, external outreach, and funding.

REQUIRED PROFILE

Education and Experience

• Hold a doctorate;
• Have recognized experience in research or creation in a university setting, supported by concrete examples demonstrating its diversity and quality;
• Have held management positions in a university environment or in a complex professional setting;
• Possess in-depth knowledge of the university environment, supported by management experience.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrate a strong ability to work in a team and develop collective strategic objectives related to the University, particularly research, creation, innovation, and services to the community. They must execute required actions to achieve objectives in a complex environment, respecting policies and institutional values;
• A commitment to the quality of research, creation, and innovation development;
• Proven skills in planning, organization, and management;
• Clear vision and direction;
• Initiative and innovation capacity;
• Sound judgment, accurate assessment, and diplomatic skills in managing complex situations;
• Ability to intervene and mobilize in a university context of collegiality and to act constructively within teams;
• Capacity to work in a team to integrate research, creation, and innovation with programs at all levels;
• In-depth knowledge of research and creation funding conditions, both public and private;
• Appropriate knowledge of the operations of national and international funding bodies related to research and creation;
• Management courage to ensure the mission of the Vice-Rectorate for Research, Creation, and Innovation;
• Good command of English.

SALARY SCALE

• Out-of-scale – annual salary between $179,572 and $233,442. Start date: Desired on January 1, 2026. We offer attractive working conditions and a very competitive range of social benefits.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

• If this challenge interests you, send your application to the following email: rectorat@uqac.ca. Only applications received before August 15, 2025, at noon will be considered. We thank all applicants but will only contact those selected for the process. Rest assured that all applications will be treated confidentially. UQAC values diversity, recognizes its role as an agent of change, and ensures an inclusive environment for all. Indigenous people, women, visible and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, in accordance with UQAC’s employment equity access program.