Scientific Director – Institute of Health Services and Policy Research

CIHR is Canada's federal funding agency for health research with an annual budget of over $1.3 billion. Through its funding and leadership, CIHR strengthens research capacity, mobilizes knowledge, and helps address the health challenges that matter most to Canadians and communities. CIHR collaborates with researchers, citizens, health system leaders, policymakers, Indigenous Peoples, and partners to support the discoveries and innovations that improve health, treat disease, and strengthen our health system.

At a time of rapid advances in science, data, and technology, CIHR accelerates discovery, translates knowledge into impact, and shapes the future of health research in Canada and beyond.

As a national leader in health services and policy research, the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) helps shape the evidence that informs health policy, strengthens health systems, and improves health outcomes for people in Canada. Through strategic leadership and collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and jurisdictions, IHSPR advances research that drives meaningful change and lasting impact.

The mandate of IHSPR is to support research that improves the organization, financing, delivery, quality, accessibility, and outcomes of health services and healthcare. Through investments in research, capacity building, partnerships, and knowledge mobilization, IHSPR advances evidence that informs health policy and strengthens health systems across Canada.

As one of CIHR’s 13 Institutes, IHSPR not only leads the health services and policy research portfolio but also contributes to CIHR’s broader strategic agenda by working collaboratively with other Institutes, governments, health system leaders, patients, communities, researchers, and public and private sector partners to address complex health system challenges and accelerate evidence-informed change.

Reporting to the President of CIHR, the Scientific Director is a national scientific leader responsible for setting vision, driving strategy, contributing to agency leadership, and delivering measurable impact across Canada’s health research ecosystem.

Scientific and Strategic Leadership

• Define and champion a bold, forward-looking scientific vision for health services and policy research in Canada, leading the development of the Institute’s Research Priority Plan and positioning the field to respond to emerging scientific, technological and societal developments;
• Provide expert advice and thought leadership to CIHR on research opportunities, gaps, priorities and investment strategies;
• Contribute to CIHR-wide leadership and decision-making by shaping cross-cutting research strategies, science policy, and strategic initiatives that advance Government of Canada priorities, CIHR objectives, and the broader health research agenda;
• Advance knowledge mobilization to inform health policy, practice, and system improvement;
• Champion research excellence and innovation across the Institute mandate to strengthen Canada's leadership in health services and policy research.

Partnerships, Influence and System Transformation

• Build and convene high-impact partnerships across sectors to catalyze inter- and transdisciplinary inter-sectoral research;
• Strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in health services and policy research through high-impact national and international collaborations, thought leadership and strategic influence;
• Mobilize researchers, partners, funders, and knowledge users around shared priorities to advance the Institute's research agenda and maximize impact;
• Leverage partnerships and co-investment opportunities to advance strategic priorities, strengthen research capacity, and accelerate impact;
• Advance CIHR-wide priorities through collaboration with other Scientific Directors, Institutes, and partners to address complex health challenges and opportunities.

Institute Leadership & Operations

• Build, lead and empower a high-performing Institute team to advance the Institute’s strategic priorities and operational objectives;
• Lead the Institute’s strategic direction, operations, and performance, ensuring alignment with CIHR priorities and organizational objectives;
• Leverage the Institute Advisory Board (IAB) as a strategic asset to inform priorities, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and advance the Institute’s mandate;
• Ensure sound stewardship of public resources through effective financial management, strategic investments, performance monitoring, and accountability for outcomes;
• Champion CIHR's values and cultivate a culture of excellence, integrity, innovation, collaboration and learning across the Institute and its broader research community.

Education & Eligibility

• PhD and/or MD (with an equivalent advanced degree) in a discipline relevant to the Institute mandate;
• Academic position at, or affiliation with, a CIHR eligible institution.

Scientific Excellence & Leadership

• Internationally recognized scientist with a distinguished record of scientific excellence, leadership, and impact at national and international levels;
• Recognized leader with demonstrated influence on research direction, policy, or practice;
• Demonstrated scientific and strategic vision with strong understanding of research strengths, gaps, and opportunities;
• Demonstrated leadership of interdisciplinary teams and mentorship of diverse trainees;
• Recognized advocate for health research across CIHR research pillars;
• Ability to engage effectively with partners and stakeholders.

Executive Leadership

• Significant experience leading complex research organizations, academic departments, research institutes, or equivalent entities, including responsibility for strategy, people, resources, and organizational performance;
• Experience in financial stewardship, including oversight of complex, multi-million-dollar budgets, planning and resource alignment;
• Experience securing and managing funding and strategic partnerships;
• Leadership experience in human resource management, including workforce planning, recruitment, talent development and retention;
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, high-performing, multidisciplinary teams within complex, multi-stakeholder environments;
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to coach, mentor, develop emerging talent and manage complex people and organizational dynamics.

Inclusive Leadership and Relationship Building

• Understanding of the breadth of the health research landscape and ability to ensure representation across Institute mandate areas and communities;
• Strong, culturally competent communicator and convener, with the ability to listen and build relationships across diverse groups;
• Proven ability to build consensus, influence decision-making, and foster collaboration across diverse disciplines, sectors, and stakeholder groups;
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and foster alignment across organizations, sectors, and communities toward shared objectives.

Proficiency in both official languages (English, French) is an asset but is not essential.

CIHR invites applications from all qualified candidates. Please submit the following information to SDrecruitment-recrutementDS@cihr-irsc.gc.ca no later than January 18, 2027, at 8:00 PM (Eastern Time, ET):

• Your CV;
• A maximum four (4)-page Cover letter^{Footnote *} outlining how you meet the key qualifications and describing your vision for the Institute, including priorities for advancing Canada’s leadership in health services and policy research and delivering system-level impact; and
• A list of three (3) references (include name, relationship, and email address). Reference letters are not required.

Candidates are entitled to participate in the application process in the official language of their choice. Candidates are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their email application.

If you have any questions regarding this job opportunity, please contact SDrecruitment-recrutementDS@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Measures for accommodation are available to all candidates retained for further assessment. If you require accommodation(s), please contact SDrecruitment-recrutementDS@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

As outlined in the Tri-Agency Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, CIHR is committed to increasing the diversity of perspectives on its advisory and decision-making bodies, including CIHR's Science Council composed in part of all thirteen (13) Institute Scientific Directors. Candidates who apply to this process will be asked to complete the self-identification questionnaire for statistical research purposes to inform promotional strategies of future Scientific Director job opportunities.

The personal information candidates provide in this questionnaire will be used for statistical research purposes only and will not be used for decision-making in the candidate selection process. Self-identification information is provided on a voluntary basis.