Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Associate Dean Research & Graduate Studies (Open to University of Guelph Internal Applicants Only)

College: College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Date Posted: Febuary 13, 2024
Deadline: Open until a suitable candidate is found
Please reference AD #24-12

Position Description:

The College of Engineering & Physical Sciences (CEPS) at the University of Guelph, invites applications from internal University of Guelph internal applicants only for the position of Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies (ADR&GS). The appointment as ADR&GS is typically for a five-year term renewable for a second term of up to five years.

CEPS comprises five primary academic units – Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics & Statistics, and Schools of Computer Science and Engineering. There are over 150 full-time faculty and 80 full-time staff serving a student population of approximately 3100 undergraduate and 700 graduate students in 4 undergraduate and 6 graduate degree programs. This includes 3 professional programs. At the grad level, CEPS offers a range of well-respected graduate programs offering MSc., MASc., M.Eng., and PhD Degrees. Currently, the College has an annual research income approaching $23 million, with half of that supported by NSERC.

Reporting to the Dean, College of Engineering & Physical Sciences, and with the assistance of the Manager, Research and Manager, Graduate Studies, the ADR&GS will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight and engagement in three key areas: research, graduate programs, and liaison and advocacy. More specifically, within the area of research, the incumbent will provide strategic leadership in continuously raising the college's research profile both within and outside the University, strengthening our culture, growing resources and the scholarly activity of faculty and students, ensuring the broad-based dissemination of scholarly output, and demonstrating the relevance and impact of our collective work. For the graduate studies portfolio, the ADR&GS will provide strategic direction and leadership in program development, management, and growth.

The ADR&GS is a key advisor to the Dean, a prominent member of the College's senior leadership, and a representative of the College on various University Committees. The successful candidate will be a tenured associate or full professor within the University and will have demonstrated success in research funding and collaboration. They will also be committed to educational excellence in the fields reflecting the academic interests of the College. The ADR&GS will provide leadership and work for the success of the College using an effective, inclusive, and consultative management style and uphold the College’s high standards for excellence. They will have a record of effective involvement in service and decision-making within the University. Effective organizational and staff management skills are important qualities. The ADR&GS will work closely with the Dean and Department Chairs/School Directors in advancing the strategic priorities of the College and University. Strong networking and relationship-building skills are essential, as it will be important to understand multiple perspectives when working closely with other campus units – including the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Research Services Office. Additional information can be found in the associated position profile. While this position is open to any tenured faculty member in the university, an applicant from outside the college who is successful in the application process will have to secure from their college Dean and the Provost, a budgetary release of their position to be transferred to CEPS.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

All qualified candidates from within the University are encouraged to apply. Applications should be submitted electronically to the Dean, CEPS to arrive by noon on March 12, 2024. Applications should include (1) a detailed curriculum vitae, (2) a statement of your views on the College’s research and graduate education strengths and challenges (up to 2 pages), (3) a cover letter indicating how you meet some or all of the criteria in the attached position profile (up to 2 pages) and (4) and the names of three references.

Applications should be sent to the attention of:

Dr. Richard G. Zytner
Interim Dean
College Biological Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, On N1G 2W1

Email: CEPSDean@uoguelph.ca

Position Profile - Associate Dean Research & Graduate Studies

While the Search Committee recognizes that it is unlikely that candidates considering this position will have all the attributes listed below, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate many of them.

Attributes

Research:

  • Advocate for the College's research strengths to various local, provincial, national, and international research bodies.
  • Coordinate CEPS Internal Grant Review Strategy to maximize NSERC competitiveness.
  • Facilitate partnerships for CFI JELF/IF applications.
  • Enhance CEPS participation in OMAFRA contract research.
  • Gather data and statistics in support of CEPS research performance and strategies.
  • Mentor/advise faculty as needed regarding research funding and opportunities.
  • Bring research matters to the attention of the Dean and Dean's Council as needed.
  • With others, work to maximize the efficiency and performance of the AAC, the ETC, and other CEPS facilities and partnerships.
  • Perform other research duties as requested by the Dean, VPR, or AVPR.
  • Work seamlessly with the Research Services Office on application review and submission.

Graduate Studies:

  • Liaise with the Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies, and Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies to promote and support CEPS activities.
  • Work strategically with the Dean, Dean's Council, Graduate Coordinators, and Graduate Assistants to maximize enrolment growth with high-quality students.
  • Advise program directors as needed.
  • Participate in graduate program quality assurance reviews.
  • Work to enhance our presence internationally and provide our international students with adequate support, resources, and funding opportunities, along with promoting internationalization opportunities for our domestic students.
  • Gather data and statistics in support of (CEPS graduate programs).
  • Assist in the review and allocation of graduate awards as necessary.
  • Advocate for, and provide mentorship to, staff, faculty, and students, as appropriate.
  • Assist in the development of new recruitment strategies.
  • Maintain academic integrity in college and conduct academic investigations as required.

General:

  • Oversee a staff team committed to supporting research and the graduate student experience as outlined in the job advertisement.
  • Administer internal awards allocation processes relating to university research awards, CRCs, scholarships, etc.
  • Generate position papers or reports as requested by the Dean or Dean's Council.
  • Oversee the creation of a CEPS annual report.
  • Experience and/or knowledge in policy and application for conducting academic and research inquiries/investigations as required.
  • Represent the Dean as required.

Qualities and Experiences:

  • Have a strong research record, including a strong record of publications, citations, and an established, successful, graduate training program and external recognition.
  • Have a strong record of securing major research funds and leading the development of strategic research grants at national and international levels.
  • Be an educator with a strong commitment to pedagogy, student engagement, and curricular excellence.
  • Have a collegial, inclusive, consultative approach, but also be capable of making difficult decisions, including times when the right decisions do not align with personal preferences.
  • Maintain a high standard of professionalism in personal interactions with staff, faculty, and students, and instill, by example, an expectation of high standards in colleagues.
  • Have excellent awareness and a commitment to considering equity, diversity, and inclusion in decision-making, communication approaches, and resource allocation.
  • Have significant service experience, particularly in leadership roles, within the University.
  • Able to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively, considering equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Vision to shape and support the College's strategic plan.
  • Ability to mediate conflicts effectively.
  • Possess excellent time management skills and be highly organized and diligent.

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All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.