Scientific Director, Computational Biology

About OICR

OICR is Ontario's cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Position Details

Position: Scientific Director, Computational Biology

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department:    Computational Biology

Reports To:     Acting Scientific Director (OICR) and Head, Adaptive Oncology

Salary: Commensurate with level of experience; total compensation includes a competitive benefits plan, plus a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)

Hours: hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Scientific Director, Computational Biology to provide strategic planning, leadership, and mentorship to the principal investigators appointed and cross-appointed to OICR's Computational Biology program. They will identify research opportunities that support OICR's strategic plan, and promote collaborations among OICR researchers and the broader community. The Scientific Director will liaise with directors of other OICR themes and work with clinicians, healthcare agencies and patient advisors, to develop strategic initiatives that accelerate the development and adoption of new diagnostics, treatments, and healthcare practices. The Scientific Director, Computational Biology, will work with the Head Adaptive Oncology to provide advice and guidance to OICR"s Adaptive Oncology theme.

Position Responsibilities

• Provides scientific oversight of OICR's Computational Biology Program, supporting its goal of advancing OICR and provincial cancer discoveries through development of analytical and generative algorithms that can be turned into diagnostic and clinical management tools
• Monitors the cancer data science landscape to identify new opportunities for OICR, that supports its mission to advance early cancer identification and interception, identifying potential impacts and suggesting adaptations to strategies and plans accordingly
• Identifies opportunities for OICR to partner with external stakeholders, developing and managing relationships with key opinion leaders, facilitating meaningful discussions, and providing advocacy support in order to forge strong alliances in pursuit of shared missions to improve cancer research translation
• Maintains an awareness of OICR programs and initiatives, identifies and vets Computational Biology opportunities to collaborate with academic and industry partners
• Advises OICR-supported investigators on the design and development of computational algorithms and tools
• Advises OICR-supported investigators on grant opportunities & funding strategies
• Works with the primary users of OICR's research computing infrastructure, including members of Genome Informatics, Genome Sequence Informatics, Computational Biology PIs, to anticipate future needs for hardware and software infrastructure. Works with the directors of these programs and the Director of IT to develop an operational plan for meeting these needs
• Meets regularly with Computational Biology principal investigators to review progress, address issues that arise and provide career advice and mentorship
• Collaborates with Adaptive Oncology's Head and its Director to develop and implement short and long-term goals and strategy for the team
• Facilitates and provides advice to the Senior Program Manager, Genome Informatics, to develop and execute short and long-term Computational Biology strategies and plans, ensuring implementations are in alignment with overall organizational strategic direction and business priorities
• Manages the development, implementation, evaluation and maintenance of quality improvement initiatives which are in alignment with established OICR standards
• Monitors quality improvement outcomes on a regular basis; develops action plans to address identified issues
• Coaches staff to ensure that continuous quality improvement initiatives are incorporated into day-to-day activities
• Supports organizational strategies and initiatives
• Develops and manages strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including area research hospitals, universities, and other research institutions that are conducting computational research
• Maintains relationships with scientific/medical community representatives provincially, nationally and globally to keep abreast of new initiatives, best practices and trends, and share in the exchange of information relevant to Computational Biology activities and projects. Helps build national and international collaborations for OICR supported initiatives when appropriate and impactful
• When called upon by the Scientific Director, meets with the OICR Executive Team and Board of Directors, providing advice and input on critical issue resolution and strategic/risk planning activities relating to data science, presenting reports, providing recommendations for consideration and approval and identifying opportunities to leverage resources, collaborating on projects and initiatives and influencing outcomes.
• Manages relationships with cross-province partnership project scientists, mentoring team members, monitoring performance and project progress, resolving issues and managing expectations
• Facilitates the work of the Senior Program Director, Genome Informatics, in department staff planning activities, determining ideal department structure, staff complement and required skill mix and professional competencies to ensure quality services are provided and organizational strategies and initiatives are effectively implemented
• Oversees the management of assigned department operational, administrative and capital budgets, monitoring budget adherence, identifying variances, resolving issues, authorizing expenditures within assigned limits and ensuring the timely preparation and delivery of all required financial projections, reports and submissions
• Oversees the fiscal position of Computational Biology and its members, monitoring and addressing financial challenges on an ongoing basis taking a proactively risk management approach

Position Requirements

• PhD in computer science, data science, bioinformatics, genomics, mathematics, or a quantitative oncology related field
• Experience in computational research applicable to cancer or cancer genomics
• Strong leadership, management, interpersonal, coaching, conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Strong understanding of the data science/computational biology environment and practices especially in Ontario
• Ability to influence and persuade individuals at all levels within and outside the organization.
• Ability to develop and manage stakeholder relationships, building consensus among a broad number of players with competing interests

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

CLOSING DATE:       OCTOBER 29, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate's abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan ).  Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.  

Resume Format: If you elect to apply, please click on the "Apply for this Job" button.  You will be required to enter contact details, and to attach your resume to your application. Please attach your resume as a .pdf or .doc file.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.