Senior Strategist, Digital Research Infrastructure; DRI

Senior Strategist, Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI)

Date Posted: 01/07/2026
Req : 46554
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Centre for Research & Innovation Support
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best— advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector.

VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Reporting to the Director, Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) and the Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Strategic Initiatives, the Senior Strategist, Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) (SS, DRI) plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping and advancing the University of Toronto’s digital research ecosystem.

The Senior Strategist establishes relations and networks with internal and external stakeholders, identifies, cultivates and coordinates multi‑divisional initiatives to facilitate collaboration towards a common purpose and agreement on institutional DRI priorities. The Senior Strategist works closely with key internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement institutional strategies that enhance digital research infrastructure, including research computing, research software, research data management (RDM) and cybersecurity.

This effort will help ensure that the University has a Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) system capable of efficiently addressing the emerging needs and opportunities within the research community. In this capacity, the Senior Strategist will support the development of short‑ and long‑term institutional strategies by managing activities aimed at complementing the university’s digital master plan as it pertains to research, serve as DRI Committee secretariat, coordinate the implementation of the U of T Institutional Research Data Management Strategy (with UTL), develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for research computing that aligns with the institutional research strategic plan, including consideration of AI, and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state of research computing capabilities and needs across academic divisions, including research software.

Essential

Qualifications:

(MINIMUM)

EDUCATION:

• A graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Information Technologies, Information Science, Computer Engineering) or a business degree with a relevant specialization (e.g., Business Technology Management).

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) at a university or research‑focused institution.
• Proven experience with planning and implementation of enterprise‑wide research systems and/or infrastructure in a complex, decentralized, large‑scale institution or research‑focused environment.
• Experience leading the development of institutional research‑centric strategies or proposals that required leading digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience in research administration, including knowledge of policies, procedures, organizational structure, and governance.
• Deep understanding of research workflows, data lifecycle, and digital tools across disciplines.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Experience building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, institutions, and funding organizations.
• Knowledge…