Senior Advisor, Research Innovation & Partnerships

Overview

The Faculty of Engineering has a well-established reputation as one of Canada’s most research-intensive faculties across a range of disciplines, including bio-innovation, advanced materials and manufacturing, mobility, smart systems, and nuclear research. The Faculty attracts approximately $76 million in annual research funding. Engineering faculty, staff, and students at McMaster University pursue research and learning in more than two dozen research centres, institutes, and networks, whose interdisciplinary pursuits cross departmental and Faculty boundaries.

Outside the University, the Faculty regularly collaborates on research projects with partners in other universities, government, and more than 120 companies in Canada and abroad.

The Office of the Associate Dean, Research, Innovation and Partnerships is responsible for the oversight and administration of the Faculty’s rich research enterprise, including the promotion, pursuit, and administration of strategic research funding initiatives; management of the Faculty’s research chairs, facilities, and award nomination portfolios; and facilitating the growth of the Faculty’s undergraduate research activities. In addition, the Office is responsible for creating and implementing programs and resources to support the growth of industry sponsored research, commercialization activity, and entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Engineering.

The Senior Advisor collaborates across campus to advance strategic priorities and grow research funding within the Faculty of Engineering. This role focuses on building and managing relationships with research teams, government funders, and external partners; identifying leveraging opportunities; and supporting all aspects of proposal and grant development. Success in this position requires the ability to foster strong cross-sector relationships to drive research impact, knowledge translation, and commercialization goals.

Additionally, the Senior Advisor supports training programs, research workshops, and partner engagement events that align with the Faculty’s strategic objectives.

Responsible for advancing the Faculty’s research enterprise by fostering collaboration with external partners, including industry, government, non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other academic institutions. Supports collaborative research initiatives by actively engaging industry partners, negotiating contributions to support projects, assisting with the development of funding applications, and ensuring that budgets adequately support proposed activities. Additionally, the role advises faculty members on securing funding, developing partnerships, and navigating commercialization opportunities, while supporting strategic research planning and enhancing the Faculty’s visibility through targeted outreach and communications.

• Support the creation of research plans that position the Faculty as an international leader in areas of strategic importance. Implement initiatives to build capacity, foster collaborations, and drive funding success.
• Develop and build a network of industry partners and contacts to support research and strategic research initiatives (e.g. research commercialization, infrastructure and facilities specific programs, specialized technical staff, etc.)Partner with Faculty Advancement, McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO), Research Centers and Institutes, and cross-campus research development, communications, outreach, and analytics teams to advance Faculty research, partnership, and commercialization objectives. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and provincial funding opportunities and application processes related to industry partnerships.
• Actively seek out and engage industry partners within target sectors and facilitate the connection of industry problems with solutions from academic research
• Organize and coordinate research programs, workshops, training initiatives, and partner engagement events, including logistical planning (room bookings, agendas, materials, feedback, and follow-up).
• Monitor and manage…