Vice-President (Research and International)

The university’s two campuses and its satellite sites are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. The University of Manitoba’s role in reconciliation, its connections with Indigenous students, partners and communities and its commitment to Indigenous Achievement are central to the future the university seeks to create.

The University of Manitoba invites nominations, applications and expressions of interest for the position of Vice-President (Research and International) with the appointment ideally to begin in the summer of 2022. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and grow the research, innovation and international activities of a university committed to transformative research and scholarship and to innovative teaching and learning – uniquely strengthened by Indigenous knowledges and perspectives.

The University of Manitoba thrives as a place where challenges are embraced. Since 1877, the university’s world-class research, outstanding student experience and shared knowledge and discovery have made an indelible impact on Manitoba, Canada and the world. University of Manitoba researchers are advancing knowledge and understanding in the natural sciences, health sciences, applied sciences, social sciences, the arts and humanities with a focus on community-based research, knowledge translation and the advancement of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and communities. The University of Manitoba is known for its ground-breaking discoveries in a variety of areas, including Arctic system science and climate change; population and global health; and immunity, inflammation and infectious disease. Home to more than 50 research centres, institutes and shared facilities, the University of Manitoba has more than 85 endowed and sponsored research chairs and almost $200 million in annual research funding. With world-class researchers engaging communities through partnerships with more than 500 universities, businesses, governments and institutions, the university provides students and researchers with opportunities to learn, discover and exchange knowledge on a global scale.

The University of Manitoba offers more than 100 programs at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels, has over 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students, almost 10,000 faculty and staff and more than 181,000 alumni across Canada and 139 different countries. Contributing $2.4 billion annually to Manitoba’s economy, the university is located on two campuses in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s culturally diverse capital with a population of more than 800,000. Winnipeg offers a high quality of life with affordable housing, a long heritage of diverse cultural activity and numerous recreational opportunities. For more information about the University of Manitoba, please visit the website at umanitoba.ca.

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-President (Research and International) (VPRI) is the university’s internal and external advocate for research and international activities, providing leadership and vision in shaping strategic directions, advancing areas of opportunity to further accelerate growth and success, and ensuring effective and efficient support. Within the university, the VPRI promotes the research and academic mission, communicates and celebrates achievements, enhances multidisciplinary activities and large-scale collaborations and fosters an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment that allows research excellence to flourish. Externally, the VPRI advances knowledge translation by working effectively with businesses, communities and governments, while showcasing the accomplishments of the university’s research community, influencing policy and advancing partnerships, initiatives and funding on a provincial, national and international level.

Candidates for VPRI will be accomplished scholars, visionary leaders and collaborative teambuilders with proven records of personal research excellence and leadership in a complex research environment. Able to develop and promote multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research initiatives, the new VPRI will excel in obtaining internal and external support for research and international activities, connecting and translating research impacts to the community and engaging with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and partners. The new VPRI will be an innovative problem solver with a sophisticated understanding of the relationships among research, innovation and knowledge mobilization and an informed awareness of the many changes and opportunities in the global research context. With an open, transparent and collegial approach to leadership, communication and interpersonal relationships, the new VPRI must approach their responsibilities in a way that promotes accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion and advances the university’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

The University of Manitoba is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The Search Committee will begin consideration of candidates immediately and will continue until the position is successfully filled. Applications, including curriculum vitae, a letter of introduction and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without consent of the applicant) should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to the university's executive search consultants:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc. 

ManitobaVPRI@lavernesmith.com