Job Description Vice President, Research Thunder Bay Regional

980 rue Oliver Road
Thunder Bay ON
P7B 6V4 Canada
Tel: (807) 684-6000
www.tbrhsc.net
Job Description
Vice President, Research
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
and
Chief Scientist
Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute
With patients and families at the centre of everything we do, Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre (the Hospital) is an academic specialized regional acute care
facility. We provide care to the residents of Northwestern Ontario, a region the size of
France with over 250,000 residents.
We are committed to teaching the next generation of health care providers and
advancing medical research. The Hospital is the teaching placement of choice for over
1,500 learners from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), Lakehead
University, Confederation College, and other partnering academic institutions. Patients
benefit from inter-professional teams of health care providers and access to leadingedge medical equipment and clinical trials.
The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (the Institute) is the research arm of the
Hospital. Our scientists work closely with clinicians, medical professionals, and
academic and industry partners to improve health care through excellence in patientcentred research. Research is advanced through discovery and development of new
imaging-based technologies, clinical trials and understanding Indigenous Health
challenges.
Position Summary
This is a position of dual responsibility, facilitated by the fact that the Hospital has
designated the Institute as its research authority.
The Chief Scientist of the Institute provides overall research leadership and strategic
direction for the Institute. Further, the incumbent is responsible for several internal and
external funding sources that support the Institute.
The Vice President, Research is responsible for all research that is executed within the
Hospital thereby ensuring that all research at the Hospital is managed by the Institute.
The successful applicant may be eligible to apply for Adjunct Faculty Status at Lakehead
University in a department that aligns with his/her academic and research background.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a leader in Patient and Family Centred Care and a research and
teaching hospital proudly affiliated with Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay, un hôpital d’enseignement et de recherche, est reconnu
comme un leader dans la prestation de soins et de services aux patients et aux familles et est fier de son affiliation à
l’université Lakehead et à l’École de médecine du Nord de l’Ontario.
980 rue Oliver Road
Thunder Bay ON
P7B 6V4 Canada
Tel: (807) 684-6000
www.tbrhsc.net
He/she may also hold an appointment at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
(NOSM) as applicable.
Reporting Structure
The incumbent reports directly to the President & CEO of the Hospital and the Institute.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Chief Scientist
The Chief Scientist is responsible for the development of the scientific directions for the
Institute, the development and implementation of a strategic plan based on those
directions, the recruitment and retention of scientific staff of the Institute, and for the
overall success of the Institute.
The Chief Scientist has authority on appointments, re-appointments and promotions of
scientific staff. He/she interviews all candidates for scientific appointment to the
Institute and recommends to the Institute CEO their official appointment. All categories
of Scientists are appointed and reviewed according to Institute policy.
The Chief Scientist also has responsibility for the assignment of research related space
and resources, for the development of new space and for the securing of resources to
cover the costs and needs.
Management Structure
The Chief Scientist chairs the Executive Management Council (EMC) of the Institute,
where the decisions are made concerning long term planning, implementation strategies,
policies and procedures, recruitment and retention.
The Chief Scientist provides reports and attends meetings of the Board of Directors, as
well as all of the Standing Committees of the Board of the Institute.
Research
The Chief Scientist has his/her own established program of research, holds grants and
participates in graduate training. However, this must be balanced with other
responsibilities.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a leader in Patient and Family Centred Care and a research and
teaching hospital proudly affiliated with Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay, un hôpital d’enseignement et de recherche, est reconnu
comme un leader dans la prestation de soins et de services aux patients et aux familles et est fier de son affiliation à
l’université Lakehead et à l’École de médecine du Nord de l’Ontario.
980 rue Oliver Road
Thunder Bay ON
P7B 6V4 Canada
Tel: (807) 684-6000
www.tbrhsc.net
Fundraising
The Chief Scientist participates in fundraising activities including fundraising events,
Institute tours, one-on-one meetings with potential donors and donor recognition
events, as required.
External Activities
The Chief Scientist is expected to participate in a number of external Boards and
Councils. These activities may take up to 20% of the incumbent’s time. Much of this
work involves participating at the provincial and national levels with networks or
coalitions of research organizations and advocating for research in collaboration with
other hospital research institutes, centres and research entities.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Vice Present, Research
The Vice President, Research is responsible for all aspects of research in the Hospital,
that all research in the Hospital is overseen by the Institute and that any researcher in
the Hospital has a suitable research appointment.
The Vice President, Research is a member of and reports on research activities to the
Senior Leadership Council (SLC) of the Hospital. The Vice President, Research reports
and attends meetings of the Hospital Board of Directors and Medical Advisory
Committee.
The Vice President, Research participates extensively in Hospital planning activities
including the establishment of clinical priorities, the development of the strategic plan
and in determining the role of the Hospital in the North West Local Health Integration
Network (the Network).
The Vice President, Research also participates in external Boards and Councils (e.g. the
Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario, Council of Ontario Research Directors, Boards
of Genome Canada, of the Ontario Cancer Research Network, of the Ontario Health
Research Alliance and Research Canada).
Appointment and Review
Appointment of the Vice President, Research & Chief Scientist is made by the President
& CEO of the Hospital and the Institute, with feedback and counsel from leadership at
Lakehead University and NOSM.
Selection of the Vice President, Research & Chief Scientist is by a Recruitment
Committee established for this purpose. Annual review of the Vice President, Research
& Chief Scientist is conducted by the President & CEO.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a leader in Patient and Family Centred Care and a research and
teaching hospital proudly affiliated with Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay, un hôpital d’enseignement et de recherche, est reconnu
comme un leader dans la prestation de soins et de services aux patients et aux familles et est fier de son affiliation à
l’université Lakehead et à l’École de médecine du Nord de l’Ontario.
980 rue Oliver Road
Thunder Bay ON
P7B 6V4 Canada
Tel: (807) 684-6000
www.tbrhsc.net
For the annual review, the Vice President, Research & Chief Scientist prepares an
assessment of progress related to the Goals and Objectives approved a year earlier and
prepares a new set of Goals and Objectives for the coming year.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
The incumbent has outstanding credentials in research and academic leadership, and
possesses an appropriate PhD degree. A suitable equivalent would be a MD with a MSc
Degree.
Experience
A minimum of 10 years experience as an internationally or nationally recognized health
researcher, in a leadership, influencing, and training role, in one or more University,
Faculty or Hospital sectors.
The incumbent must demonstrate a history of commitment to inter-professional
collaboration, and possess experience in building a research enterprise through positive
relationships and partnership development with strategic partners, funding agencies,
governments, and the research community.
Working with a CEO and Board of Directors, the incumbent must be experienced and
adept at strategic planning development and implementation, appearing before Boards,
Councils and Committees to present and defend complex issues. The skills required have
been gained through progressive work experience in:

strategic thinking, and in transforming project concepts into research
designs;

working with research professionals, funding agencies and representatives from
all levels of government, academia and the community;

sourcing, recruiting and managing world class research professionals;

coordinating, facilitating, and advocating for collaborative research efforts;

program and policy development;

communications and public relations.
Skills and Abilities

exemplary leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective
liaisons and partnerships;
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a leader in Patient and Family Centred Care and a research and
teaching hospital proudly affiliated with Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay, un hôpital d’enseignement et de recherche, est reconnu
comme un leader dans la prestation de soins et de services aux patients et aux familles et est fier de son affiliation à
l’université Lakehead et à l’École de médecine du Nord de l’Ontario.
980 rue Oliver Road
Thunder Bay ON
P7B 6V4 Canada
Tel: (807) 684-6000
www.tbrhsc.net

advanced conceptualization skills to identify new opportunities or initiatives, and
the ability to think creatively to allow for their integration into project plans;

proven leadership skills, in order to plan strategically, and highly developed
organizational skills to lead the initiation, development, and successful
implementation of programs, within changing priorities, and across multiple
program areas;

persuasive advocacy and negotiation skills combined with the ability to
influence key stakeholders, staff at all levels, representatives of other research
institutes, volunteers, and potential donors, as well as to secure funding for the
Institute;

demonstrated ability as a credible academic and skilled mentor, teaching and
supervising graduate student research;

demonstrated performance as an independent investigator and researcher with
ability to secure external funding awards for research projects, staff and
infrastructure;

knowledge and understanding of change management, combined with skill and
perseverance in managing and implementing change in large complex partner
organizations.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Linguistic profile:
Incumbent must be a persuasive speaker and presenter, with ability to speak, lecture,
write and read in English; French language skill-set would be considered an asset.
Computer skills:
Incumbent must have the knowledge and ability to comfortably use Microsoft Office
computer applications.
Travel:
Incumbent must be available to travel internationally, nationally and provincially.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a leader in Patient and Family Centred Care and a research and
teaching hospital proudly affiliated with Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay, un hôpital d’enseignement et de recherche, est reconnu
comme un leader dans la prestation de soins et de services aux patients et aux familles et est fier de son affiliation à
l’université Lakehead et à l’École de médecine du Nord de l’Ontario.