Strategic Research Development Officer

Date Posted: 06/05/2025
Req ID: 43281
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Information
Department: Faculty of Information
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00050075

Description:

About us:
The Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto is a research-led Faculty, educating the next generation of leaders in information scholarship and the information professions, both established and emerging. Our researchers and graduates are recognized for their innovation, experimentation, human-centred perspectives and commitment to community.

The Faculty, which will celebrate its centenary in 2028, has built on its heritage strengths in libraries, archives and museums to incorporate scientific and technological expertise from engineering, computer science, and other disciplines. At the same time, it has committed itself to applying social, political, and cultural perspectives from media arts, humanities, and social science to the study of information, technology, people and the relationships among them.

A top tier school, the Faculty of Information is consistently ranked in the top five Library and Information Management graduate programs by the QS World University rankings. The QS rankings include both Master’s and PhD level programs.

More background about the Faculty can be found on its website (ischool.utoronto.ca).

Your opportunity:
The Strategic Research Development Officer will support the Faculty of Information’s research community to advance Faculty of Information’s and the University of Toronto’s strategic research partnerships and opportunities. The incumbent plays an integral role within the Faculty’s Research Office to amplify the opportunity and impact of research by increasing tri-agency funding, developing partnerships with industry, and supporting the development of community-engaged research opportunities. 

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Research, and working closely with the CAO, the incumbent brings professionalism, enthusiasm, and commitment to advance research funding and collaborations to enhance the Faculty’s research profile and impact. The position will also work collaboratively with the Division of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (VPRI) and colleagues across the institution.

The research partnerships and opportunities this role will support include those that involve multiple researchers, cross-faculty, multi-institutional, and interdisciplinary strategy and require active involvement and coordination among Principal Investigators, Departments, Institutes, Faculties and non-U of T entities. The incumbent will work closely with various groups to identify these opportunities and ensure tactical execution to ensure that objectives are met, constraints and timelines are anticipated, and projects are coordinated across the portfolio.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying, developing and executing strategies for research and development collaborations
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Researching and recommending new opportunities for external collaborations and partnerships
• Delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/or initiatives
• Tracking the status of partnership development initiatives, activities and outcomes
• Fostering and maintaining networks to build capacity and collaboration
• Coordinating and guiding applicants through various phases of the research funding application process
• Planning and estimating financial resources required for programs and/or projects

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• Minimum five years of experience in research coordination in the disciplines of information, technology and social sciences
• Track record of achievement in partnering with researchers to generate new funding leads and driving the successful development and management of complex research grants preferably in an academic environment
• Experience, expertise, and success with writing proposals and/or applications for funding from various sponsors and agency matching programs. Experience and expertise with a combination of NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR is required
• Demonstrated ability to review and recommend improvements to draft proposals in order to meet agency requirements
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and advising on research funding strategies in consultation with a range of stakeholders and implementing these strategies to increase research income
• Developing metrics, analyzing and providing statistical and research performance information to internal and external reporting bodies
• Experience developing and delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/or initiatives
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate effectively and sensitively with senior leaders, researchers, colleagues, and external bodies
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as a self-starter, and collaboratively as part of a team
• Knowledge of all aspects of the grants lifecycle; research funding strategies; applications and proposals; and compliance monitoring
• Excellent research and analytical skills

Assets (Nonessential):

• Understanding of Research Ethics in concept and practice
• Understanding of the academic research community
• Knowledge of U of T’s Research Information System (RIS)

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Articulate
• Diplomatic
• Insightful
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
  
  
  

Closing Date: 06/17/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 -- $95,627. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $122,290. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching
Recruiter: Jasmin Olarte
Notes: Job description available to USW staff-appointed employees by request to pfhr@utoronto.ca

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.