Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation)

Queen’s University invites nominations and applications from visionary leaders for the newly-titled position of Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) (VPRI).  As a staunch champion of fundamental and translational research, innovation and creativity, the VPRI will leverage the University’s existing strengths to enhance research excellence at Queen’s. Research prominence is a pillar of Queen’s Strategic Framework and plays a critical role in the University’s ability to contribute knowledge and ideas to Canada and to the world. Queen’s is home to Canada’s most recent Nobel Prize winner, 41 Canada Research Chair (CRC) holders, a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), a Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) award and, as documented in Maclean’s, ranks second in the country for number of major awards granted per full-time faculty member. An ambitious 5-year faculty renewal plan has been launched to further research and academic excellence. Innovation Park, the Office of Partnerships and Innovation, and the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre are actively building an innovation ecosystem for Eastern Ontario and global hubs for innovation. Queen’s University, a Medical-Doctoral institution, offers a full spectrum of undergraduate and graduate research-based programs and professional programs across its 8 Faculties and Schools: Law, Business, Arts and Science, Health Sciences, Engineering and Applied Science, Education, Policy Studies, and Graduate Studies.

Reporting to the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) is responsible for campus-wide advancement of the University’s innovation and research enterprise and with providing leadership that ensures the highest standards of scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration. As a key member of Queen’s executive team, the VPRI promotes the University’s standing as one of Canada’s leading institutions engaged in high-quality scholarship of national and international significance, and strengthens the University’s relationship with funding councils, industry partners, government, and affiliated hospitals. The VPRI leads, and is supported by, an accomplished and motivated team, and is responsible for employee engagement and development.

The successful candidate is a research innovator who is keen to build interdisciplinary research and scholarly teams that produce demonstrated results and outputs across all of Queen’s Faculties and Schools. Candidates must have outstanding academic credentials and a distinguished record of scholarship, a track record of administrative experience, success with diversity and inclusion initiatives, and can balance institutional history and tradition with Queen’s desire to be at the forefront of innovation and research excellence. The University is looking for an individual who can develop and execute a bold vision, is a clear and effective communicator, and actively fosters a culture of inclusion and collaboration, both internally and externally.  

The University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territories. Queen’s University is located in historic Kingston, which consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada and is at the midpoint between Montreal, Toronto, and the nation’s capital. For more information about Queen’s, celebrating over 175 years, visit www.queensu.ca.

The appointment, which is renewable, is for five years. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. 

Applications from all qualified individuals are invited; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons.

Support will be provided to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process, including accommodation that takes into account accessibility needs.  If you require accommodation during the process, including accommodation for a disability, please contact Odgers Berndtson, queensvpri@odgersberndtson.com, 416-366-1990.