Organization: Digital Research Alliance of CanadaLocation: RemoteSalary Range: $107,640 - $161,460Posted: January 29, 2026ABOUT THE ALLIANCEThe Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) serves Canadian researchers, with the objective of advancing Canada's position as aleader in the knowledge economy on the international stage. By integrating, championing and funding the infrastructure and activities required for advanced research computing (ARC), research data management (RDM) and research software (RS), we provide the platform for the research community to access tools and services faster than ever before.We have an ambitious mandate –to transform how research across all academic disciplines is organized, managed, stored and used. We work with other ecosystem partners and stakeholders across the country to help provide Canadian researchers with the support they need for leading-edge research excellence, research, innovation and advancement across all disciplines.POSITION SUMMARYThe Alliance is establishing a new national research software service focused on enabling and accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and research across Canadian institutions. The Research Software Services (AI) Lead will spearhead the development, implementation, and operational excellence of this new service as part of the Alliance's broader Research Software Services portfolio.Reporting to the Vice-President, Operations and Cybersecurity, the Lead is responsible for direction, resource planning, stakeholder engagement, project oversight, and the development of a specialized national team of AI-focused research software experts. This role provides subject‐matter expertise in scientific software development, AI/ML, HPC, and related computational research workflows, while fostering collaborative innovation and ensuring high‐impact, researcher‐focused service delivery.The Lead will work closely with research institutions, researchers, industry partners, and internal and distributed teams to co‐design, deploy, and support AI‐enabled solutions that advance Canada's research capabilities.RESPONSIBILITIESEstablish the strategic vision and roadmap for the national Research Software Services (AI) program.Define service models and offerings responsive to emerging AI/ML, scientific computing, and research software trends.Develop short‐term and long‐term workforce planning scenarios that create agility in service operations.Provide strategic oversight of distributed teams delivering research software services through funded agreements.Champion a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement within the program.Engagement & Relationship ManagementBuild and maintain strong partnerships with research institutions, researchers, industry partners,



and internal Alliance units.Monitor the evolving commercial AI and research software landscape to identify tools and approaches valuable to Canadian researchers.Develop engagement frameworks that ensure long‐term alignment between stakeholder needs and service capabilities.Translate complex or emerging researcher requirements into clear, actionable technical plans.Represent the Alliance and its research software initiatives at relevant national and international events.Project Oversight & DeliveryOversee the complete portfolio of research software projects, ensuring timely progress, accurate reporting, and measurable impact.Establish standards and practices that enable collaboration, knowledge exchange, and consistency across the distributed workforce.Coordinate Team DevelopmentSupport goal alignment and progress tracking in collaboration with leadership, and serve as a point of reference for mentoring, knowledge sharing, and technical upskilling as the function evolves.Contribute to building a collaborative, accountable, and service‐oriented working environment.Coordinate and communicate workload priorities, timelines, and resource needs across projects to support performance and efficiency.Technical Expertise & InnovationProvide hands‐on technical guidance in AI/ML, HPC, GPU programming, scientific software development, and research workflows.Evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies to ensure service offerings remain current, scalable, and impactful.Work with researchers to co‐design reproducible, scalable solutions aligned with FAIR and FAIR4RS principles.Promote best practices for sustainable, secure, and high‐performance research software.QUALIFICATIONSA master's degree in a related field is preferred; however, a bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related computational discipline a with relevant experience will also be considered.Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive experience in research software engineering, AI/ML development, scientific computing, or comparable computational research fields.Demonstrated success leading technical teams and delivering complex software or computational research projects.Experience working within academic research environments or supporting research‐intensive organizations is highly desirable.Background in technical consulting (e.G., IBM, Deloitte, Accenture, PwC, EY, KPMG)



or experience with national level research software consultancies services or programs (e.G. New Zealand, UK, Australia) is an asset.Familiarity with managing distributed or matrixed teams and coordinating multi‐institutional projects.Strong understanding of AI/ML methods, research workflows, and scientific software development practices.Experience with HPC environments, Linux‐based systems, and performance optimization for research computing.Expertise in GPU programming is a significant advantage.Knowledge of software sustainability principles, DevOps practices, scalable architectures, and reproducible research methods.Understanding of FAIR and FAIR4RS principles and their application to research software and data.Ability to translate complex scientific or computational requirements into actionable solutions.Proven leadership skills, including team development, coaching, and performance management.Strong stakeholder engagement capabilities, with the ability to negotiate, influence, and maintain alignment across diverse groups.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‐technical audiences.Demonstrated judgment, adaptability, and problem‐solving ability in complex, high‐impact environments.Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the development of digital tools and services.Ability to travel within Canada, with occasional international travel as projects require.Passion for enabling scientific discovery and supporting researchers through advanced digital tools and services.BENEFITS / WORK PERKSIn addition to a competitive salary and a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference in the Canadian research community, we offer a comprehensive perks package that meets the various needs of our diverse team and that spans across Canada, including:HealthLong‐Term DisabilityLife InsuranceFlexible Spending AccountWellness Spending AccountMental Health SupportsPaid VacationRemote WorkThe Alliance is strongly committed to equity and inclusion within the community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of racialized groups, people of colour, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ identified people.The expected salary range for this position for candidates residing in Canada is between $107,640 CAD – $161,460 CAD. Placement within this range will be determined on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, demonstrated performance, and overall alignment with the requirements of the role. The range reflects the Alliance's commitment to equitable pay practices and to ensuring fair compensation for all employees.#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Research Software Services (Ai) Lead - C$107,640 - C$161,460 A Year - Remote (Toronto)
🏢 Digital Research Alliance Of Canada
📍 Toronto