Program Development Lead

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 84,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

University Health Network is seeking a Program Development Lead to support grants, partnerships and communications for Target 2035, an international open-science initiative. You will contribute to proposal development and scientific communications across an international network of researchers and collaborators, transitioning from bench science into research development.

This role offers exposure to grant writing, stakeholder engagement and a public-private partnership environment, with

Qualifications

• Completion of a master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• PhD in a scientific discipline relevant to biomedical research, drug discovery, life sciences, chemistry or related field.
• Six years of practical and related experience.
• Five years of health services research and knowledge translation experience.
• Two to four years of grant writing and scientific writing experience.
• Proven track-record of peer-reviewed publications and obtaining grants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Support grant development, partnerships, and communications for Target 2035 internationally.
• Contribute to proposal development, scientific communications and organizational initiatives across a global network.
• Coordinate and participate in webinars, workshops, and public engagement activities.
• Prepare presentations, newsletters, reports, and outreach materials.
• Oversee timelines, document collection, formatting, submission logistics, and reporting requirements.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Organizational skills

Interpersonal coordination

Problem solving

Digital/tech savviness

Education

Master's degree

PhD in biomedical sciences

Tools

SharePoint

Google Workspace

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Canva

AI-enabled tools

Job description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Union: Non-Union
Number of Vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: New
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, MaRS South Tower
Department: UHN Research
Reports to: Director
Salary Range: $84,006 - $126,005 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Daytime, Monday - Friday
Status: Permanent Full-time
Closing Date: October 28, 2026

Position Summary

The Program Development Lead will support grants, partnerships, and communications activities for Target 2035, an international open-science initiative.

The Lead will contribute to proposal development, scientific communications, and organizational initiatives across an international network of researchers and collaborators.

This role is ideal for a recent PhD graduate interested in transitioning from bench science and gaining experience in research development, partnerships, and outreach within an international open-science public-private partnership environment.

Duties

• Responsibilities may evolve over time based on organizational priorities, funding opportunities, and the candidate’s interests and experience, providing broad exposure to international research development and coordination activities.
• Contribute to the development, writing, and coordination of grant and award applications in Canada and internationally
• Contribute to proposal development activities, including timelines, document collection, formatting, submission logistics, and reporting requirements
• Contribute to the administration of existing grants, programs, and strategic initiatives, including post-award reporting, milestone tracking, and impact metrics
• Participate in funded trainee and research programs
• Contribute to the development of presentations, newsletters, reports, website content, and outreach materials
• Coordinate and participate in webinars, workshops, meetings, and public engagement activities

• At minimum, completion of a masters degree in a relevant discipline or recognized equivalent required.
  • PhD in a scientific discipline relevant to biomedical research, drug discovery, life sciences, chemistry anasset
• At minimum, six (6) years ofpractical and related experiencerequired
  • At minimum, five (5) years of relevant experience in health services research and knowledge translation, required
  • Minimum of two (2) to four (4) years of experience in grant writing and scientific writing, required
  • Successful track-record of publishing peer reviewed journal publications, and obtaining grants, required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment with evolving needs
• Strong interpersonal, coordination, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary and international teams
• Proactive, adaptable, and resourceful, with a strong “can do” attitude and initiative
• Excellent digital and technology skills are required, including experience using online collaboration and communication platforms such as SharePoint, Google Workspace, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Canva, and emerging LLM/AI-enabled tools to support coordination, communications, and research development activities
• Experience with grant development, scientific communications, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, or research administration is an asset

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals and researchers in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.