President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research was created under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act, which came into force on June 7, 2000. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research. Composed of 13 Institutes, it collaborates with partners and researchers, and its mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is managed by the President and a Governing Council consisting of 18 members, including the President and the Deputy Minister of Health, appointed by the Governor in Council to represent the highest standards of scientific excellence and a range of relevant backgrounds and disciplines. The President and the Governing Council are also assisted by various Standing and Advisory Committees.

The President is the chief executive officer of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and is responsible for its day-to-day management and direction and for engaging the public, partners, provincial institutions, federal departments, the health industry and volunteer health organizations to support outstanding research, researchers, innovative partnerships and transfer of knowledge to practical use for the benefit of Canadians; and developing the overall objectives and priorities for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The President is also accountable for providing strategic guidance for and oversight of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and represents the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and promotes its vision and mandate as appropriate at meetings across Canada and internationally.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's website.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to achieve one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

Education and Experience

• A doctoral degree in a health research discipline, or a medical degree with post-graduate training in health research from a recognized university;


• International stature as health researcher with extensive cutting-edge research experience;


• Experience managing people and supporting talent development including from an equity, diversity and inclusion perspective;


• Senior-level management experience ideally acquired within a university, teaching hospital, health research institute, or other similar public or private sector research organization with a health research mandate and which provided national and international exposure;


• Experience in building, fostering, integrating and maintaining strategic partnerships and collaborative arrangements amongst a diverse health research community and governments through a dynamic framework for research investment and knowledge translation, and in ensuring strong productive and supportive alliances with a rich array of stakeholders in and outside of Canada; and


• Experience in working with a Board of Directors or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of the Government of Canada, its institutions and processes, especially as they relate to the development of health research, and science and technology policies;


• Knowledge of the academic community, the key public, private and voluntary sector organizations, as well as international agencies and their relation to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's objectives and strategies;


• Knowledge of the full spectrum of the Canadian health research community from biomedical to clinical, health services and population and public health research, the future direction of health research and the challenges of translating knowledge to clinicians and decision-makers;


• Knowledge of the scope of health research issues, from both a national and international perspective;


• Knowledge and understanding of workplace wellness issues, including mental health, and of risk identification and management;


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral and ability to manage communications and make science more accessible to a variety of stakeholders, including the media, ministers, parliamentary committees, other government representatives, the public, the research community, and the private sector;


• Ability to represent the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and promote its vision and mandate as appropriate, at high-level meetings across Canada and internationally;


• Ability to provide the corporate vision and leadership needed to achieve the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's mandate, realize its strategic directions and identify, analyze and define long-range priorities and strategies to ensure Canada remains a world leader in health research;


• Ability to develop and negotiate multi-partner agreements, build bridges, fruitful collaborations and alliances with stakeholders (including university, hospital, voluntary health sector, international, government, private sector and other health research partners), and establish effective networks;


• Ability to work effectively within the context of the Government of Canada's requirements for accountability and transparency, and within the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's budget;


• Ability to integrate the varied and complex requirements and expectations which originate from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's partners, the scientific community, clients, government and the private sector; and


• Ability to work with organisations or stakeholders in inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary areas, including bringing a patient focus into consideration.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Exemplary and inspiring leadership skills


• High ethical standards, integrity and clear sense of accountability


• Strategic thinker and high-level advisor


• Visionary mind and innovator


• Strong and effective people management, interpersonal and negotiating skills


• Tact and diplomacy


• Calm under pressure, emotional intelligence


• Sound judgment

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website, under Forms and reference material.


• All appointees will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviors in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviors for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.


• You must be able to contribute to the achievement of the objective of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in the overall interests of Canadians (statutory).


• You must reflect the highest standards of scientific excellence (statutory).


• You must be prepared to travel extensively across Canada and abroad.


• You must be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance (if required).

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on April 10, 2023. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.