Scientific Director - Biomedical Research Institute in Montreal, Canada

Centre d'innovation biomédicale - Université de Montréal; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research institute in Montreal seeks a Scientific Director to lead its development and research initiatives. This role requires a distinguished scientist with a Ph.D. or M.D. and eligibility for a professorship. Responsibilities include strategic planning, managing research platforms, and fostering national and international collaborations. The ideal candidate possesses leadership experience and an outstanding publication record, and is ready to engage in teaching and mentoring within a university environment.

Qualifications

• Holds a Ph.D. or medical degree and is eligible for a professor position at the university.
• Demonstrates leadership and management experience.
• Presents an exceptional research and publication record.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the strategic plan and scientific orientations of the Institute.
• Supervise recruitment of principal investigators.
• Plan the budget and identify funding sources.

Skills

Leadership in an academic setting

Effective communication

Research excellence

Ability to build consensus

Visionary thinking

Education

Ph.D. or M.D.

Eligibility for associate or full professor position

Job description

Scientific director

Mandate

The Courtois Institute for Biomedical Innovation (CI²B) is a flagship project of the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal, with a mission to unlock the mysteries of life through cutting‑edge fundamental research. CI²B brings together more than 45 researchers from five basic science departments within the Faculty, along with the members of their research teams. The Institute embodies an ambitious vision: breaking down departmental silos, fostering a shared culture of excellence, offering state‑of‑the‑art scientific platforms, and establishing a transformative hub for biomedical research in Canada.

CI²B is seeking a distinguished scientist with an outstanding career who can create the conditions to advance the Institute’s development and leadership while pursuing their own fundamental and/or translational research program. The successful candidate will contribute to expanding knowledge in one or more of the Institute’s priority research themes namely:

• structural and computational biology
• microbial pathogenesis and physiology
• neurobiology and systems neurosciences
• molecular physiopathology and cellular dynamics

Key Challenges

As a Scientific Director and researcher at the Institute and professor affiliated with a basic science department, you will be required to contribute to research excellence for the Institute and the Faculty of Medicine.

Through your expertise and your roadmap as a leader in your field, you will help ensure the visibility of your discipline while actively contributing to the management of a renowned institution. In this capacity, you will be required to:

• Prepare the strategic plan and scientific orientations of the Institute
• In collaboration with the department chairs, supervise the recruitment of principal investigators, develop the appropriate support to accompany them in their career path
• Coordinate the development of research platforms and large research infrastructures, develop the appropriate policies and ensure the sustainability of these infrastructures
• Form the various scientific committees and drive the scientific life of the Institute
• Supervise the academic affairs of the Institute
• Plan the budget of the Institute and identify funding sources as well as contribute to philanthropic development efforts
• Prepare the major grant applications of the Institute
• Supervise the administrative team and the highly qualified personnel of the Institute
• Oversee the preparation and implementation of necessary policies for the smooth operation of the Institute and compliance with good research practices as well as principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
• Ensure the visibility and influence of the Institute and promote national and international collaborations

Applicant profile

To succeed in this role, you must:

• Hold a Ph.D., a medical degree (M.D.) or the equivalent
• Hold, or be eligible for, an associate or full professor position at the Université de Montréal
• Present an exceptional research record and an excellent publication record
• Have demonstrated leadership and management experience in an academic setting
• Demonstrate an interest in a collegial management style characterized by the ability to build consensus
• Be able to communicate effectively and motivate collaborators
• Be a visionary
• Have experience in teaching and supervising students in a university environment
• Have sufficient knowledge of the French language or be determined to learn it once in position through the French language learning support program offered by the University, according to the Language Policy of the Université de Montréal

How to Apply

The application must include a CV, a summary of your research program (max. 3 pages) and a document describing your qualifications and vision for the development of a cutting‑edge research institute (max. 3 pages). The application must be submitted by February 18, 2026 at Adèle Carrot [e-mail].

The person recruited could take up the position as early as June 2026p>