Vice-President (Research)

The University of Regina is situated on Treaty 4 lands with a presence in Treaty 6. These are the ancestral territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. Today, these lands continue to be the shared territory of many diverse peoples from near and far.

With its main and College Avenue campuses located next to Wascana Lake in the heart of Regina’s idyllic Wascana Park, and with a presence in Saskatoon, the University of Regina is a dynamic provincial institution that has an established reputation for innovative programming and research excellence. The University of Regina, along with its three Federated Colleges, Campion College, First Nations University of Canada, and Luther College, has more than 2,500 faculty and staff, including approximately 500 tenured or tenure-track faculty, as well as more than 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students across 10 faculties and 25 academic departments. Collectively, they form a diverse community devoted to research, teaching, scholarship, and social responsibility.

It is within this context that the University of Regina invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Vice-President (Research).

The University of Regina is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the communities it serves. The University encourages applications from members of equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous peoples including First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit peoples; racialized/ persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women and people from gender and sexually diverse groups.

Reporting to President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jeff Keshen, the Vice-President (Research) (“VPR”) is a member of the University Executive Team and provides vision, strategy and oversight of the University’s research operations and administration, centres and institutes, commercialization initiatives and research partnerships. To achieve this goal, the VPR leads and supports the growth, innovation and expansion of the University of Regina’s research culture; advocates, and champions research, and deepens and extends the nexus between research, teaching, and service across the University’s programs. Through the Office of the Vice President (Research) (VPRO), the VPR plays a prominent role in advocating for decolonization at the University.  The VPR also prioritizes and enacts equity, diversity and inclusion principles throughout the implementation of the research strategy. The VPR reinforces the University’s commitments to Indigenous and racialized researchers, as well as students, through funding supports and mentorship programs. The VPR’s fosters a shared sense of vision, supports decisions and processes in alignment with the University’s student-centered mission, and advances the key themes arising from the 2020 – 2025 Strategic Plan, “All Our Relations: kahkiyaw kiwâhkômâkaninawak”. The VPR also leads and implements the University of Regina’s “Research Action Plan 2020-2025”, with particular attention to innovation, discovery, and community-based research initiatives. The VPR enacts a key role in the development and execution of the University’s government relations strategy with regard to research, and enhances relationships with federal and provincial granting councils, ministries, the private sector, and other funding partners.

Through a collegial leadership style, the VPR provides guidance, mentoring, and support for the Associate Deans Research, faculty members, graduate students and post-doctoral scholars in their pursuit of research funding, and helps to identify new approaches to support faculty research pursuits. Working with a high performing team, the VPR provides direct and indirect supervision to constituents including the entire VPRO and the Associate Vice-President (Research).  The VPR works to ensure that a comprehensive research infrastructure is in place that will strengthen and streamline all key functional areas that support individual researchers, departments, and faculties. Through oversight of the Director of the Sustainability Office, who serves as a lead and key advisor on sustainability and climate action for the University of Regina, the VPR facilitates support for the University’s sustainability efforts including promoting interdisciplinary research to address complex sustainability issues. In collaboration with the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the VPR works to further the relationship between research and teaching, at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

As the ideal candidate, your consultative and effective leadership style has empowered you to sustain and accelerate the activities and momentum of your University’s research enterprise with an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to transparency. As an accomplished scholar, you hold a PhD from a recognized university, have a record of scholarship consistent with appointment to the rank of Full Professor.  You have demonstrated success in attracting Tri-Agency and contract funding for research, established a reputable personal research profile locally, nationally, and internationally, and provide evidence of broad scholarly interests.  You have enthusiastically supported and nurtured scholars outside of your own discipline and promoted cross-disciplinary research activities. You are adept with all aspects of financial management and ensure that all revenue allocations appropriately reflect the University’s research priorities. Your career includes successful management experience ideally gained in a university environment.  You are known and respected by colleagues and partners for your exceptional interpersonal skills and your ability to engender trust among researchers, faculty and staff. To be considered as a candidate, you must be able to demonstrate your understanding of, and ability to offer strong support for, Indigenous research, including community-driven research, and through action or support, your commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous engagement, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

To apply or explore this exceptional leadership opportunity with the University of Regina, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca), or visit https://griffithgroup.ca/vice-president-research-university-of-regina

The University or Regina is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with provincial guidelines, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Griffith Group and the University of Regina throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.