As Canada’s leading university and a global Top 20 institution, the University of Toronto (U of T) is leading life-changing cross-disciplinary research and innovation to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The University is home to an exceptional complement of faculty, librarians, and staff who work with vibrant students, postdoctoral researchers, alumni, and partners locally and around the world. Annually, the tri-campus U of T community, together with its affiliated hospitals, attracts $1.54 billion in research funding annually.

The University of Toronto’s Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) Research Services Office (RSO) is a national leader in securing research funding and providing end-to-end support across the entire funding life cycle. Its three specialized teams strengthen U of T’s competitiveness by coordinating agency and foundation funding, institutional initiatives, and research development, collectively supporting more than 2,500 researchers and managing over 9,500 grants annually. RSO enhances faculty and institutional success by strategically planning major funding competitions, administering large scale and international opportunities, and maximizing U of T’s share of research funding across hundreds of programs. As a steward of Canada’s largest internal university research fund, the $200M+ Connaught Fund, RSO empowers emerging scholars and interdisciplinary teams while also playing a pivotal role in securing historic external investments, including the largest Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) in Canadian history.

To continue driving forward its research goals, the U of T is seeking a strategic, collaborative leader for the role of Assistant Vice-President, Research Services (AVP‑RS).

Reporting to the Vice-President, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, the AVP-RS will provide strategic leadership for the RSO, guiding a talented team that delivers mission-critical services across the full research funding lifecycle. In close partnership with academic leaders, central administration, affiliated hospitals, government agencies, and funding sponsors, the AVP‑RS will strengthen the U of T’s competitiveness in national and international research funding, support major multi-million-dollar initiatives, and help translate discovery into meaningful societal, economic, and public benefit, while ensuring regulatory and financial compliance.

The ideal candidate will bring an outstanding track record in leading research administration, deep knowledge of the Canadian and global sponsored research landscape, and strategic leadership experience in a complex, decentralized, and unionized environment. They will have demonstrated experience shaping research strategy, policy, and processes, along with sound financial and operational acumen overseeing large-scale budgets, research funds, and multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will possess exceptional relationship building, communication and analytical skills, and a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, equity, diversity, inclusion, and building high-performing teams.

The University of Toronto has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this recruitment. Applications are encouraged immediately and ideally by April 9, 2026 to Julia Robarts and Krutika Hotwani. This is an existing vacancy. The new AVP-RS will assume the position in the summer or early fall of 2026.

Inquiries or accommodation requests can be directed to uoftavprs@odgers.com.

The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases its capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of its global community. U of T strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. U of T values applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening its academic mission.