President and Scientific Director

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is the province's cancer research institute, funded by the Government of Ontario. OICR unites scientists, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and innovators from Ontario and around the world to take on the biggest challenges in cancer. Dedicated to improving the lives of people living with cancer today, and creating a better future for everyone, OICR drives progress through cutting-edge research, collaborative networks and strategic investments. OICR’s work focuses on detecting cancer earlier, developing more effective treatments, and improving outcomes for generations to come. In collaboration with its commercialization partner, FACIT, OICR helps translate innovations into real-world impact, fueling the province’s economic growth – creating high-quality local jobs and new companies, attracting global investment, and delivering new discoveries to patients worldwide.

OICR is seeking a visionary and strategically minded executive leader to serve as its next President and Scientific Director (PSD). Reporting to the Board of Directors, the PSD will provide strategic direction and operational oversight, drawing on proven executive leadership to advance OICR’s vision. The PSD will champion excellence in translational cancer research, foster innovation and collaboration across OICR’s networks, prioritize high-impact research investment, and guide the commercialization of discoveries to generate both health and economic value for Ontario. As OICR’s chief spokesperson, the PSD will elevate the Institute’s profile provincially, nationally, and internationally, while cultivating strategic partnerships across government, academia, healthcare, industry, and patient communities. The PSD will lead the implementation of OICR’s forthcoming 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment between scientific priorities, operational execution, and measurable outcomes. Working in close partnership with the President of FACIT, the PSD will strengthen OICR’s commercialization mandate and ensure that innovations continue to improve patient care while driving sustainable growth in the life sciences sector.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven record of success in senior executive roles within research-intensive, healthcare, academic, or scientific organizations. They will bring deep expertise in cancer research, with a strong understanding of translational science and its clinical applications, along with broad experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning and program development. They will be adept in financial stewardship, guiding sustainable growth through thoughtful resource allocation, diversified funding approaches, and sound organizational planning. The successful candidate will have a history of building and sustaining strategic partnerships across government, academia, healthcare, and industry, and will bring experience in commercialization and intellectual property development, ideally within biotechnology or the life sciences. They will be an exceptional communicator and advocate, capable of inspiring collaboration and mobilizing diverse stakeholders toward shared goals, with a commitment to scientific excellence, equity, inclusion, and measurable impact. Familiarity with Ontario’s research, healthcare, and innovation ecosystems is highly desirable.

To Apply

To fill this position, OICR has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/30754.

We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, OICR’s research excellence mandate. OICR welcomes and respects the diversity of all members of their community and supports an inclusive culture for all. OICR welcomes all applicants, and encourages applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within their community (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). 

In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research  throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.