Director, Responsible Conduct of Research

Director, Responsible Conduct of Research

The University of Saskatchewan's (USask) main campus is located in the vibrant city of Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. USask is one of the top research-intensive, medical doctoral universities in Canada, and is home to world-leading research in areas of global importance, such as water and food security and infectious diseases.

The Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR) provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to the university’s research, scholarly, and artistic works (RSAW) ecosystem/community. This is achieved by creating strategic partnerships, plans, and policies that together create a supportive research environment indicative of a world-class research-intensive university.

Primary Purpose: The Director, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) develops strong relationships with leadership across the University to advance a culture of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR); provides leadership to define, develop and implement institutional strategy to support RCR; leads the refinement and management of RCR policies and procedures, as informed by national and global trends; advises the designated Associate Vice President Research (AVPR), the Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Deans, Associate/Vice-Deans Research and Directors; and works with stakeholders to design, develop and deliver education, resources and tools to support RCR for all University members.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Associate Vice President Research, the Director, RCR works collaboratively with the Associate Vice President Research, the Office of the Provost, Legal Office, Deans, A/VDRs and Directors. The work is challenging, evolving, complex and unstructured. Processes are time and topic sensitive, and require expert understanding of research and research compliance along with prioritizing and reconciling multiple priorities and competing interests. Professionalism, emotional intelligence, confidentiality, significant attention to detail, and ongoing interaction with senior administration is required, without deviation or disappointment. The ability and capability to effectively and positively interact with and influence people and their behaviors is essential. A highly developed awareness of and appreciation for research norms and ethics, publishing ethics, collective agreements and mediation is imperative.

This position mandates vision, objectivity, accountability, and enthusiasm. The expertise and capabilities to influence and define institutional RCR culture for faculty, students and staff engaged in research is essential. The successful candidate needs an exceptional collaborative ability to build superior working relationships with various campus stakeholders (e.g. Deans, Associate Deans of Research, Centre Directors, members of research teams and group leaders, research chairs, OVPR units as well as other units including the Vice-Provost Faculty Relations, Finance and Resources, General Counsel and USask Legal Office, Chief Governance Officer and office, Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement, University Relations, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Institutional Planning and Assessment), and international, national, and provincial stakeholders. This position must create and earn/hold a high level of influence with the various campus stakeholders.

Duties and Accountabilities:
Cultural Change

• Leads initiatives to advance a culture of RCR at USask.
• Influences and promotes RCR through the assessment and provision of tools for USask researchers and oversees the development and re-development of online and face-to-face training programs for researchers (Student, Staff and Faculty) and administrators.
• Provides strategic, high-level and specialist direction, and advice, to all levels of the organization regarding the principles of RCR and achievement of research integrity, consistent with the Tri-Agency Framework on Responsible Conduct of Research.

Systems Improvement

• Works with the OVPR, Legal Office, Governance and key institutional stakeholders to provide oversight (review, develop and revise/update) and to implement University policies, processes and procedures reflective of best practices in RCR.
• Provide support to long term human resource needs and planning.
• Leads ongoing improvement in policies, processes and procedures.

Regulatory Compliance

• Provides confidential, reliable advice and support to the Associate Vice-President Research, the Research Integrity Officer and Senior Administrators (e.g., Deans), Guides the initial and overall assessment of RCR concerns and allegations of breaches of the RCR Policy during both Inquiries and Investigations, including the appointment of Hearing Boards and supporting their investigative processes. Alignment with collective agreements and federal government requirements. This trusted guidance and support extends to USask senior leadership in the consideration of consequences.
• Monitors and is responsible for submitting reports on breaches of the RCR Policy and other RCR activity to relevant committees including the Office of the Vice-President Research, Research Scholarly, and Artistic Works, University Council, the Tri-Agency Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research (SRCR) and the U.S. Office of Research Integrity. Works with and advises the Governance Office to appoint Appeal Hearing Boards and support them in their processes.
• Supervises and directs administrative staff in the ongoing work of the RCR Team.
• Supervises the curation of all documents and evidence associated with complaints, Inquiries and Investigations, while maintaining the utmost integrity of evidence and confidentiality.
• Serves as the initial and trusted contact for our institution in interactions with the Tri-Agency Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research (SRCR), as well as for other academic institutions in Canada and beyond.

Risk Management

• Build a culture of responsible risk management and ensure sound practices and due diligence to minimize risks to the university associated with the conduct of research.
• Provide advice and guidance on policy matters where risk is involved related to individuals, units and the institution.

Growth

• Develops and maintains expert knowledge of RCR in the Canadian, American and International contexts.
• Engages in and contributes to networks of knowledge and practice in RCR in Canada and beyond.

Education: Minimum of a PhD or a degree in Law, sufficient experience in related fields.

Licenses: None

Experience:

• At minimum ten years’ experience in a university research environment;
• Experience in responsible conduct of research and/or research ethics;
• Experience working in and positively affecting a diverse and inclusive environment;
• Experience working with senior leaders, administrators, boards, committees and working groups.

Skills:

• Complete understanding of applicable federal and Tri-Agency regulations including the RCR Framework, human research ethics, animal use and care, and research financial administration.
• In-depth understanding of the University’s structure and processes including university policies, procedures, administrative processes and faculty governance.
• Analytical, critical thinking, decision-making skills, and leadership expertise when working with a range of stakeholders. Exceptional attention to detail.
• Motivated, organized, self-directed, possessing high standards of professional integrity and judgment including the ability to maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters discretely and with diplomacy and tact. Commitment to working with shared leadership.
• Ability to manage a fluctuating and high workload of complex and sensitive projects.
• Ability to work with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and diverse constituents both on and off campus.
• Strong time management, organizational, mediation, interpersonal communication, presentation, written and verbal communication skills.

Department: Vice-President (Research)
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $118,954.00 - 199,130.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 5
Posted Date: 1/17/2025
Closing Date: 2/14/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.