Scientific Director – Institute of Genetics

Scientific Director – Institute of Genetics
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research  (CIHR) is seeking an internationally recognized scientific leader to serve as Scientific Director (SD) for the Institute of Genetics  (IG). In this high-impact national leadership role, the successful candidate will build on Canada’s world-class research strengths and shape the future of genetics and genomics within Canada’s broader health research agenda.

Working alongside CIHR’s senior leadership team, fellow Scientific Directors, and numerous public and private sector partners, the successful candidate will shape the direction of health research in Canada through strategic leadership, national influence, and collaboration that advances research excellence, innovation, and community and citizen impact.

Why this role matters
We are entering a period of extraordinary possibility in genetics and genomics. Advances in precision health, data science, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology are transforming how we understand disease, improve health, and deliver care. The decisions made today will shape the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of future generations.

As Scientific Director, you will have a unique opportunity to help transform that possibility into impact. Through scientific leadership, strategic investment, partnerships, and knowledge mobilization, you will help create the conditions for discoveries and innovations that improve lives, strengthen health systems, and benefit Canadians and communities around the world.

This is an opportunity to lead with vision, inspire excellence, and help position Canada among the world’s leaders in genetics, genomics, and health research—while leaving a lasting mark on the future of health and healthcare.

Intent of the process
The intent of this process is to fill one (1) SD position for a four-year term, beginning July 1, 2027. The successful candidate is eligible for re-appointment for an additional four-year term (maximum eight years total).

CIHR is committed to employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate if they belong to a designated group:
Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), racialized, a person with a disability, women, and/or a member of the 2

SLGBTQI+ community.

Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the President of CIHR, the Scientific Director is a national scientific leader responsible for setting vision, driving strategy, contributing to agency leadership, and delivering measurable impact across Canada’s health research ecosystem.

Scientific and Strategic Leadership

Define and champion a bold, forward-looking scientific vision for genetics and genomics research in Canada, leading the development of the Institute’s Research Priority Plan and positioning the field to respond to emerging scientific, technological and societal developments;

Provide expert advice and thought leadership to CIHR on research opportunities, gaps, priorities and investment strategies;

Contribute to CIHR-wide leadership and decision-making by shaping cross-cutting research strategies, science policy, and strategic initiatives that advance Government of Canada priorities, CIHR objectives, and the broader health research agenda;

Advance knowledge mobilization to inform health policy, practice, and system improvement;

Champion research excellence and innovation across the Institute mandate to strengthen Canada’s leadership in genetics and genomics research.

Partnerships, Influence and System Transformation

Build and convene high-impact partnerships across sectors to catalyze inter- and transdisciplinary inter-sectoral research;

Strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in genetics through high-impact national and international collaborations, thought leadership and strategic influence;

Mobilize researchers, partners, funders, and knowledge users around shared priorities to advance the Institute’s research agenda and maximize impact;

Leverage partnerships and co-investment opportunities to advance strategic priorities, strengthen research capacity, and accelerate impact;

Advance CIHR-wide priorities through collaboration with other Scientific Directors, Institutes, and…