Posting closed: Director, Physical Sciences Platform Canada Research Chair Tier 1
February 27, 2020
Director, Physical Sciences Platform and Canada Research Chair – Tier 1 and Senior Scientist in Physical Sciences (one position)
Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) is seeking applications for the position of Director, Physical Sciences Platform. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field (i.e. medical biophysics, bioengineering) and be eligible for appointment as a full-time Senior Scientist at SRI and as an Associate / Full Professor at the University of Toronto. We intend to nominate the selected candidate for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC). To fill this leadership role, we are seeking an outstanding, internationally renowned researcher whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their field and is proposing to extend their work through an original, innovative research program of the highest quality at SRI. The successful candidate will have a track record of leadership with administrative experience and have a vision towards leading and growing the Physical Sciences Platform and strengthening collaborations with Biological Sciences, Evaluative Clinical Sciences and the Hospital. The Director will be expected to lead large, collaborative, cutting edge research endeavours that will yield scientific discoveries, clinical translation, commercialization and improved outcomes for patients.
About Sunnybrook Research Institute: SRI is an independent organization wholly owned by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, one of Canada’s leading academic health sciences centres. SRI is the research enterprise for the hospital corporation and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. SRI has three research platforms: Biological Sciences, Evaluative Clinical Sciences and Physical Sciences, each of which functions similarly to a university department under the leadership of a cognate director. The institute supports $100 million of annual research activities within approximately 250,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research space located at the Bayview campus of Sunnybrook. SRI has one of the best recognized and most productive teams in the field of medical imaging and physical sciences research in the world. The Physical Sciences Platform is comprised of 64 scientists, and has a total staff of ~300, including close to 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows associated with the University of Toronto.
Research areas in Physical Sciences include Medical and Biological Imaging and Image Analysis (MRI, Ultrasound, X-Ray, Digital Pathology and Optical), Precision Medicine (Radiogenomics, Theranostics), Computational Modeling, Machine Learning, Nanomedicine, Design of Devices, Instrumentation and Interfaces, Biophysics and Bioengineering. A major focus of the Physical Sciences Platform at SRI is the field of Image Guided Therapy, reflected in support received from the Canada Foundation for Innovation leading to the establishment of the Centre for Research in Image Guided Therapeutics (CeRIGT), the FedDev-sponsored Image Guided Therapy cluster, and the current development of Inovait, an industry-academic consortium for AI and Image Guided Therapy supported by the federal Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF IV). The goal of the Physical Science Platform is to advance scientific discovery, develop new medical technologies and foster commercialization of discovery research. Our work further includes the delivery of novel diagnostic and interventional techniques to the hospital’s nine clinical programs: Holland Bone and Joint, Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Integrated Community Medicine, Odette Cancer, Schulich Heart, St. John’s Rehab, Tory Trauma, Veterans and DAN Women and Babies Programs. Scientists in this platform actively pursue opportunities to move their innovations through pre-clinical and first in human testing to commercialize the products of their research though the creation of start-ups and thought licensing, and routinely partner with many medical device companies in the development and assessment of new technologies.
The current Strategic Plan (2018-21) of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre aims to ensure that we can continue to achieve our vision of inventing the future of health care, and provide care for our patients and their families when it matters most. Our four Strategic Directions are focused on creating High Performing Teams that can develop Personalized and Precise Treatments, Integrated and Sustainable Models of Care, and Improve Quality and Create a Better Care Experience.
Responsibilities: Reporting to the Vice-President Research and Innovation, the Director will be responsible for the following: operations of the platform; strategic planning; recruitment; annual activities of research faculty; fiscal planning and accountability; and ensuring the integration of platform-based research with the strategic clinical directions of the hospital. The Director position will be initially awarded for a 5-year term, renewable following successful performance reviews, without a limit on the number of terms. The CRC is awarded for a 7-year term, renewable for a second 7-year term, contingent on a successful performance review.
Requirements for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair: Tier 1 CRCs are for outstanding established scholars. To meet the criteria of the program, nominees must: be outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields; be recognized internationally as leaders in their fields; have superior records of attracting and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (taking into account different practices in the relevant field or discipline) and, as a Chairholder, be expected to attract, develop and retain a diverse group of excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and propose an original, innovative research program of the highest quality.
For further information on the federally endowed CRCs, open to all nationalities, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website. Sunnybrook Research Institute is committed to providing nominees with the support required to secure the CRC. For more information about CRC program at SRI, please contact Kevin Hamilton, director of business development and analytics, at kevin.hamilton@sri.utoronto.ca or visit SRI’s CRC website.
How To Apply: Applications should include:
1) a letter of interest of no more than 3 pages. The letter should briefly describe the applicant’s proposed research program, leadership experience, fit with the CRC criteria for a Tier 1 chair and alignment with the foci of the Physical Sciences Platform, the University of Toronto strategic research plan (found here) and Sunnybrook’s strategic directions (found here);
2) a complete curriculum vitae including professional services, outreach, mentoring / training of highly qualified personnel and other contributions appropriate to the specific CRC vacancy; and
3) a completed self-identification form found here (see note below).
Applicants should email the letter of interest, curriculum vitae, self-identification form and the names of three references to CRC@sunnybrook.ca
Applications are requested by April 30, 2020, but will be received until the position is filled.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection Process and Criteria: The selection committee will be Chaired by Dr. Cari Whyne, and will evaluate applicants based on the application packages provided. For more detailed information on the internal selection process and criteria with respect to CRC chairs, please consult SRI’s guidelines for the selection, nomination and administration of CRCs.
Career Interruptions: Sunnybrook Research Institute recognizes that scientists have varying career paths and understands the impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Candidates are encouraged to explain any interruptions in order to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments.
Diversity Statement: Sunnybrook Research Institute is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity within its community and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: women, visible minorities or persons of colours, Indigenous peoples, people from all genders, religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
Collection of Equity Data: As part of this CRC application, applicants are required to complete a brief self-identification form found here. The form allows individuals to opt-out of a specific response, but the form must be completed. Information directly related to individuals is held in confidence by the business development and analytics office and will be not accessed by the selection committee and other member of SRI staff, or potential external reviewers.
The self-identification information will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes as part of SRI’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative, and categories with fewer than three responses will not be reported.
The form is part of the application and SRI strongly encourages applicants to self-identify, as aggregated information is important to our ability to respond to university equity targets set by the Canada Research Chairs Program and thereby maintain funding from this important program. If the form is not completed and submitted the application will be deemed incomplete.
Accommodation Policy: Sunnybrook Research Institute is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Job Information:
Position Title: Director, Physical Sciences Platform
NOC Code and Title: 2111 – Research Scientist, Physical Sciences
Number of positions: 1 (One)
Education Requirements: Doctoral/PhD
Language Requirements: Verbal: English
Written: English
Duration of Employment: Permanent (5 Year Term, Renewable), Full-time
Salary range : $250,000 – $300,000 CDN
Benefits : 6 weeks’ vacation per year with full time benefits (i.e. extended health and dental plan, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan and etc.)
