Vice President, Research and Innovation

Trent University

Vice President, Research and Innovation, Trent University

We respectfully acknowledge that Trent is on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Ranked as one of Ontario’s top undergraduate universities, Trent University (https://www.trentu.ca/) fosters intellectual curiosity and social responsibility, cultivating future leaders who are equipped to make meaningful contributions to society across two beautiful, world-class campuses in Ontario.

With an interdisciplinary focus on sustainable, healthy environments and communities, Trent features a broad range of research fields,( https://youtu.be/A9_9rhZNrCk) posesses an outstanding record of productivity, and is strategically expanding (https://www.trentu.ca/ori/welcome/strategic-research-plan) its international partnerships, entrepreneurial activity, and social innovation. It is renowned for its personalized learning environment, research excellence innovative teaching, ( https://www.trentu.ca/teaching/awards-showcases/celebration-faculty-excellence-teaching-and-research) and deep commitment to community engagement( https://www.trentu.ca/community-based-research/).

As Trent continues to push the boundaries of inquiry and grow its scholarly impact, the institution is seeking a Vice President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) who is ready to join an innovative, vibrant, and collegial university community.

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the executive team, the Vice President, Research & Innovation will play a critical role in elevating Trent to new levels of productivity, discovery, and talent development, through strong leadership, vision, and evidence-based strategic approaches. The VPRI will be responsible for sustaining and enhancing Trent’s commitment to faculty and student success, creating a culture that inspires and supports all aspects of research – including commercialization, intellectual property management, external funding, joint research projects, and global partnerships. The VPRI will be a key ambassador, promoting Trent’s research locally, nationally and internationally, and liaising with external stakeholders, including government, on all matters related to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

As the next VPRI, you bring a record of visionary leadership in a complex research environment, an in-depth and demonstrated understanding of the evolving national and international research context, and the credibility to operate effectively at all levels of the University. You are a champion of research excellence and have a record of personal research achievements. You bring experience in developing and promoting interdisciplinary research initiatives, bolstered by your sophisticated understanding of the relationships between research, innovation, and societal impact.

To apply click here: https://boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/2862 or for further information, please contact Kathy Rahme at krahme@boyden.com and Kate Ralston at kralston@boyden.com.

Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the VPRI position are invited, with the appointment to be effective Summer 2026.

Trent University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Preference will be given to candidates from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous People (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities or racialized groups and LGBTQ2+ people.

Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact kralston@boyden.com.