The University of Waterloo invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Vice-President, Research, with the appointment to be effective July 1, 2027.
Grounded in Waterloo’s institutional values—thinking differently, acting with purpose, and working together—the University seeks a Vice-President, Research who will model these commitments in advancing academic excellence, innovation, and community impact with a commitment to academic freedom, research integrity and ethical conduct of research.
The University of Waterloo is a leading global research-intensive institution, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work integrated learning that contributes to local and global prosperity. It is home to a renowned talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together with the world’s largest co-operative education program in a research-intensive university, these differentiating strengths allow its students and faculty to create solutions that tackle today’s challenges and transform the future. The University’s north campus has been selected to be the site for the new regional hospital, opening up exciting opportunities for education and research partnerships in health. The University has built an extensive network of healthcare and industry collaboration, generated nearly 20 percent of tech founders in Canada, and delivers a dynamic learning experience for more than 42,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and is home to transformational research and inspired learning. Located in the heart of Canada's technology hub, the University is growing a network of global partnerships that will shape the future by working beyond disciplines and building bridges with industry, institutions, and communities. Waterloo at 100 outlines the University’s strategic visioning.
The best and brightest are drawn to the University of Waterloo for the opportunity to collaborate with, and be elevated by, a world-class peer group with enviable rankings. Waterloo is known as one of the world’s top technology schools, and has been ranked by peers as Canada’s most innovative university for 30 of the last 33 years. In that context, the arts and humanities are needed as never before, to frame that experience of change, and to help make sense of it. Strategic integration of teaching and academic excellence, experiential education, entrepreneurial spirit, and impact-driven and foundational research make the University of Waterloo one of the most relevant, connected, and innovative institutions in the world.
Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-President, Research (VPR) is a faculty member of academic stature with a proven record of leadership and administrative experience. The VPR is the senior executive responsible for driving the university’s globally significant research and international research engagement strategy. This includes leading initiatives that foster research excellence, industry collaboration, entrepreneurship, commercialization, research security, and strategic academic partnerships. The VPR works closely with academic leadership to align research with institutional priorities, while also focusing on advocating for research funding and policy influence at federal and provincial levels.
The portfolio includes the management of five direct reports and more than 100 staff across the broader research and innovation portfolio, with responsibility for: Research Oversight and Integrity; Research Grants and Infrastructure; Partnerships, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization; and Research Finance and VPR Shared Services. In addition, Waterloo’s research institutes and centres, such as the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), are a core asset.
In collaboration with faculties, industry, foundations, and other vice-presidential offices, the VPR maximizes research funding opportunities and strengthens Waterloo’s global presence.
The organizational chart for the Office of the Vice-President, Research provides the scope of the reporting relationships and the Research Strategic Plan highlights the areas of strategic importance.
More about the University of Waterloo’s leadership and governance structure is available here.
As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice-President, Research contributes to institutional strategy, resource planning, and vision-setting, while championing priorities in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, anti-Racism, and Truth and Reconciliation. The world is facing countless global challenges. Waterloo is dedicated to making the world a better place and the next Vice-President, Research will continue that legacy.
The VPR mandate and Position Profile can be requested at: WaterlooVPR@lavernesmith.com. The consultants will begin review of candidates immediately, with committee consultation beginning in the fall. The search will continue until the position is successfully filled, ideally by July 1, 2027. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names (not letters) of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and should be submitted in confidence to the University’s executive search consultants: Laverne Smith & Associates Inc. WaterlooVPR@lavernesmith.com