Senior Advisor, Research Security

Concordia; Montreal; On-site; CAD 102,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Defined pension plan

On-site wellness facilities

State-of-the-art gym and health clinic

Educational and cultural opportunities

Job summary

Concordia University is seeking a Senior Advisor, Research Security to provide strategic guidance to senior administration and researchers on research security across the lifecycle of funding proposals.

The role includes developing policies, coordinating workshops, and liaising with internal units and external partners to mitigate risks and stay ahead of security threats.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the primary responsibilities with four to seven years of relevant experience.
• Graduate degree in a relevant field is an asset.
• Experience with research agreements and intellectual property management.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to senior administration and the research community on research security.
• Develop and implement research security policies and guidelines.
• Plan and oversee workshops and information sessions on research security.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders to address security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Oversee planning, monitoring and annual reporting on research security.
• Stay updated on threats and recommend policy improvements.
• Represent OVPRII on committees addressing research security challenges.
• Advise on research security in funding applications and agreements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Project management

Policy/regulatory knowledge

Discretion with confidential matters

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Graduate degree is an asset

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Career Opportunities: Senior Advisor, Research Security (2383)

Requisition ID2383-Posted10/21/2026-Sir George Williams (Downtown)-CUPEU-Full-Time

Position Number:50020719/
Department:Office of Research
Grade: GR14
Campus:Sir George Williams (Downtown)

Salary:$102,236.59- $122,130.85 per annum
Union/Association/HR Policy: CUPEU

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter expressing their interest and how their profile aligns with the role

Recognized as one of Montreal’s top Employers, Concordia University is the place to be if you are looking to grow, contribute and innovate in a dynamic and multicultural environment.

Be part of a community that addresses society’s big challenges, supports your personal and professional growth, and makes a real impact in building a more sustainable world.

As a member of our community, you will have access to comprehensive benefits, a defined pension plan and numerous on site well-being facilities such as a state of the art gym and health clinic as well as a variety of educational and cultural opportunities.

NOTE: This posting represents a contract for the duration of two years.
SCOPE

Reporting to the Director, Partnerships, Intellectual Property, and Security, the incumbent provides strategic advice and counsel to senior administrative team of the Office of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation, and Impact (OVPRII) and other senior administrators on research security-related initiatives, as well as, provides guidance to the research community on research security throughout the life cycle of funding proposals, from submission through finalization. The incumbent is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to meet the research security objectives of the University and for engaging and assessing with government officials on the identification and mitigation of research security threats. They promote awareness and understanding and appropriate application of relevant University policies. The incumbent also provides support, as required, on research agreements, intellectual property and technology transfer matters within the unit.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide support, guidance, and advice to senior administration and the research community on matters related to research security. Advise researchers on research security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Develop and assess strategies to support risk mitigation strategies with respect to research security issues for all members of the research community; develop and implement research security policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Develop, plan, coordinate and oversee the delivery of workshops and information sessions related to research security.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify and address security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Oversee the planning, implementing, monitoring and annual reporting on research security; conduct investigations of research security incidents and provide recommendations for remediation.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research security threats and vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for improvements; evaluate current policies, practices and programs and external research security requirements to ensure the university meets current best practices.
• Represent the OVPRII on internal and external committees and groups exploring challenges and barriers to advancing research security.
• Advise and provide necessary support to researchers on appropriate strategies for addressing research security issues in the funding application process.
• Negotiate, draft and review research agreements with third party industry/government sponsors and other academic partners. Assess appropriateness of the terms and conditions of research agreements with particular focus on ensuring academic freedom and limiting the University’s exposure to risk in such relationships.
• Provide support related to intellectual property, including disclosures/reports of invention and technology transfer management.
• Liaise with relevant units to identify and address research security issues, including export control.
• Provide research security-related review, due diligence and advice, as required, to other University units regarding students, visiting scholars, prospective donors, donations and other matters presenting potential research security considerations.
• Perform other duties in support of the unit.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the primary responsibilities with four to seven years of relevant experience.
• Graduate degree in a relevant field is an asset.
• Experience working with members of a senior leadership team on organization-wide committees and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of research security regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments and developing mitigation strategies.
• Experience with developing policies/procedures/guidance documents.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the geo-political context relevant to research and innovation. The understanding of vulnerabilities to research and innovation security, cyber security, intellectual property and data governance.
• Knowledge of granting mechanisms and programs administered by the federal and provincial governments.
• A strong understanding of systemic issues and analysis of the legal and legislative frameworks related to research security.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Ability to work on confidential and sensitive matters with tact and discretion
• Very good knowledge (Level 5) of spoken and written English (Level 5) in order to write, analyze, and provide feedback in order to maintain effective communication with faulty members, external partners, and internal units; good knowledge (Level 4) of spoken French in order to communicate with funding agencies and external partners; and basic knowledge (Level 3) of written French to handle requests and communicate in writing.
• Basic knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
• Experience with research agreements and intellectual property, including disclosures/reports of invention and technology transfer management.
• Experience in a research-intensive environment is an asset.

Due to the volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted by our Talent Team.

Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic and administrative functions of the university, proficiency in English and French, as indicated, is required.

IMPORTANT: The language and computer skills of short-listed candidates will be tested.

Territorial Acknowledgement

Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohti’a:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

Employment Equity

Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications.As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a diversity survey. This information is voluntary and any information collected for this purpose is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources employees. Results will be aggregated and used to help Concordia achieve its goal to see all members of our community not only reflected, but welcomed, included and supported in their efforts to contribute to all areas of university life.

Accessibility

Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, [e-mail]

Immigration Status

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.