Vice-President; Research and Innovation

Vice-President (Research and Innovation)

Join to apply for the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) role at University of Guelph

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Join to apply for the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) role at University of Guelph

Location:

Guelph, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page:
Executive

Division:
Office of the VP Research

Requisition

Position Title:

Vice-President (Research and Innovation)

Department:
Office of the VP Research

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 livable 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 its 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, 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 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,…