Vice-President, Research and Innovation

Position Information

Position Title

Vice-President, Research and Innovation

Posting Number

F728P

Type of position

Limited Term

Department/Unit

President's Office

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

About the opportunity

Located on Canada's welcoming East Coast, with campuses in the vibrant oceanside city of Halifax and an Agricultural Campus in the town of Truro, Dalhousie welcomes 21,000 students from across the country and more than 115 countries around the world. Dalhousie is Nova Scotia's leading research-intensive university, with 13 faculties that expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery resulting in more than $210 million in external research funding each year. Dalhousie's blend of groundbreaking research with outstanding teaching and makes for a unique and collaborative environment that empowers all our students, professors, researchers, and staff to achieve excellence and make a positive impact for our province, our country, and our world.

The Role

Reporting to the President, the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) leads and promotes research and innovation excellence within a multi-disciplinary environment. As Dalhousie's leading research advocate, the VPRI supports all forms of scholarly endeavours, helping researchers to secure support and investments from national granting councils, private industry, NGOs, and other funding partners. The VPRI manages the Office of the VPRI, the Office of Research Services, as well as Dal Partners and Dal Innovates, fostering a culture of service, collaboration, and engagement across all disciplines.

Key Responsibilities of the VPRI

• Articulate and deliver a bold, inclusive vision for research and innovation that resonates across disciplines and communities.
• Streamline and improve research administration processes, optimizing services and fostering a culture of excellence, support, and responsiveness.
• Build strong relationships with deans, associate deans, and researchers to identify strengths, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and energize cross-disciplinary engagement.
• Advance industry-sponsored and applied research, commercialization pathways, intellectual property strategies, and partnerships that translate research into societal and economic impact.
• Collaborate with the provost to develop strategies for recruiting and retaining the next generation of researchers, faculty, and graduate students.
• Represent Dalhousie in provincial, national, and international research policy discussions, promoting knowledge mobilization and public engagement.
• Foster meaningful, reciprocal research and innovation partnerships with Indigenous communities, grounded in respect, co-creation, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a visionary and inspiring leader who can shape a bold future for research at Dalhousie. They are a respected scholar and a collaborative academic administrator who fosters a supportive and service-oriented research environment. Known for building strong relationships, they serve as a trusted connector within and beyond the university community.

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is expected to meet all criteria equally, the following qualifications will guide the assessment process:

Required:

• An exceptional research and publication record.
• Demonstrated experience in academic administration, including strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, mentoring, and supporting a large and diverse team and fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• A demonstrated track record of driving change and fostering innovation.
• Proven success in securing large-scale research funding and building strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of the Canadian and international research landscape with experience interacting with national, provincial and international granting agencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and experience integrating EDIA principles into all aspects of research leadership, including funding strategies, mentorship and representation.
• A strong communicator and listener who is relationship focused and collaborative.
• A consensus-builder who exercises diplomacy and political acumen.

Assets:

• Demonstrated experience championing Indigenous-led research, collaborating with Indigenous communities, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to develop research priorities and protocols.
• Demonstrated experience with innovation activities, industry partnerships, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
• International presence and connections.
• Success as part of a large research enterprise/program.
• A personal record of interdisciplinary research.
• Demonstrated experience in government relations, with the ability to create strong local and regional connections.

Competencies:

Like all senior leaders at Dalhousie, the AVP, EDIA and Belonging will be expected to demonstrate the core and leadership competencies that make up the Dalhousie Competencies. Of particular interest to the committee will be the following competencies:

• Respect & Inclusion
• Thinking and Acting Strategically
• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Change and Innovation

How to Apply:

A complete application will include a full CV and cover letter describing how you meet the selection criteria, why the position is of interest, and what you believe you can bring to the role. To be considered, please submit your application by November 3, 2025.

For more information and to review the more detailed position brief, please contact the leadership recruitment team at

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Posting Detail Information

Open Date

10/10/2025

Close Date

11/03/2025

Open Until Filled

Yes

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