Research Security Officer

A university degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required, with work experience in research security, an academic or funding agency environment, a government national security and/or geopolitical environment, and/or an open-source intelligence gathering organization. 

 Advanced / graduate degree, special training and certificates related to the above areas are an asset.

Experience Level

• 5+ years experience in open-source information or intelligence gathering, and analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of geopolitics, national security, research security, cyber security, and the threat environment.
• Knowledge of emerging Canadian and international research security standards, policies and programs.
• Experience creating analytical and advisory products from diverse information sources.
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively in a complex multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

The Research Security Officer reports to the Director, Research Security Risk, within the Office of the Vice President, Research. The Director is responsible for providing strategic guidance to ensure that research security risks at the institution are proactively managed as it relates to research funding opportunities, collaborations with international partners and commercialization activities. The Director engages with their peers in various levels of government and other institutions, and coordinates with McMaster leadership in research security on the identification and mitigation of research security risks. The Director serves as a resource to senior leadership for best practices regarding research security.  

The Research Security Officer reports to the Director, Research Security Risk, within the Office of the Vice President, Research. This position will further McMaster’s response to the Federal Government’s February 2023 - Ministerial statement on research security .

The Officer will support the Director, and more broadly, the Office of the VP Research mission by implementing and advancing the university’s research security program and building capacity to address the requirements from the provincial and federal government. This role will utilize its subject matter expertise to facilitate, review and process research security risk assessments for researchers, faculty and other leaders across the University.

The Officer will interpret and provide advice on policy and procedure as it relates to the development of security components of research and innovation applications, proposals and partnerships, including advising faculty members on relevant security risks, processes and approvals, working in close coordination with other units.

The role of the Officer will involve supporting research grant applications and partnership opportunities, by ensuring compliance to government standards and policies through the identification and mitigation of risks to research security. The Officer will be involved in advising senior leadership to help make informed decisions related to research security and other related institutional strategies.

• Develop recommendations for internal research security policies, processes, risk mitigation strategies and practices.
• Operationalize the research security program through implementing control measures and best practices.
• Monitor compliance of grant submissions and funding bodies, particularly for high-risk projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with university and government colleagues e.g Innovation Science Economic Development Canada (ISED), Public Safety Canada’s Research Security Centre and representatives of federal and provincial funding agencies.
• Write reports and briefs to a variety of audiences including academic and research leadership on emerging issues and key themes.
• Plan, develop, implement, provide and/or coordinate education, awareness and outreach opportunities.
• Promote overall research safeguarding and security within the university.

• Recommend, review, and maintain appropriate control measures to minimize research security risks.
• Gather and evaluate relevant information to develop background material or reports and provide recommendations on appropriate course of action as it relates to risks to research security.
• Review and assess potential risks to research projects and partnerships by conducting due diligence using open-source research techniques.
• Organize and analyze a wide variety of information to identify, monitor and map trends, and developments related to research security in Canada and internationally. Based on these findings, prepare strategic assessments and recommendations as required.
• Keep abreast of relevant international, national and provincial news, policies, initiatives and legislative frameworks related to research security and advance knowledge in the field of research security through continuous learning.
• Develop and maintain a sound understanding of threats facing universities and research security, including issues related to national security and geopolitics.
• Provide information on complex and confidential issues using open-source research-gathering techniques to allow senior leadership to make informed decisions.

• Liaise across the university, with faculty, staff and researchers on matters related to the Officer’s role. This could include providing consultation, resolving problems, exchanging information, discussing findings, coordinating materials and presenting recommendations.
• Liaise with various internal units that work closely in supporting researchers such as McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO), Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS), Health Research Services (HRS) and Information Security Services (ISS), among others.
• Communicate findings and conclusions related to research security to faculty, staff and researchers.
• Engage with leadership and stakeholders to present an/or discuss confidential information in a discrete manner.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy ensuring appropriate management of sensitive and complex issues.

• Strong research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively apply high level critical thinking skills.
• Strong knowledge of research security and Canadian Safeguarding Research standards.
• Experience in open-source information gathering.
• Proven ability to utilize various open-source platforms and conduct a range of searching is an asset.
• Proven knowledge of corporate/financial analysis or due diligence is an asset.
• Knowledge of sound research and analytical methodologies with a demonstrated ability to compile and analyze data through well-structured reports.
• Excellent analytic skills and a detail-oriented approach to issues and analyses.
• Proficiency in a Foreign language in a critical area is an asset.
• Knowledge of privacy, confidentiality, and compliance environment.
• Knowledge of the academic environment and working with researchers.
• Ability to identify issues and take proactive action including adjusting to changing priorities as necessary.
• Experience advising and briefing senior managers, especially academic leadership.
• Proven ability to engage in difficult conversations in an appropriate manner.
• Judgement to assess and balance institutional, individual, and national needs.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a flexible, on and off-campus hybrid environment.
• Ability to work independently or in a team setting, with diverse individuals.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products.

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.