Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built
- nor could it be maintained
- without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice. When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World. Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

Program Head, Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology (DSCB) Research Program

The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute

University of Toronto

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is seeking an exceptional, visionary scientific leader to serve as the Program Head of the Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology (DSCB) Research Program. This role will provide strategic and scientific leadership for a dynamic, multidisciplinary program dedicated to advancing child health through groundbreaking research in developmental biology, stem cell science, and cancer biology. The DSCB Program pushes the boundaries of fundamental discovery, from uncovering molecular mechanisms of human development to innovating new disease models, and translates these insights into precision therapies for pediatric cancers,



congenital disorders, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, and rare childhood diseases. The successful candidate will champion cutting-edge, collaborative research that accelerates the impact of scientific discoveries on child health. In this role, the Program Head will also advance SickKids' Precision Child Health initiative, integrating developmental and genomic insights to enable more predictive, individualized pediatric care and improved patient outcomes. This is a five-year term leadership appointment, renewable following a successful program review, with the successful candidate appointed as a Senior Scientist in the Research Institute (and eligible to maintain this appointment beyond the leadership term).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Scientific Leadership

- Define and execute a compelling vision for the DSCB program that keeps SickKids at the forefront of developmental, stem cell and cancer research globally
- Align the program's scientific direction with institutional priorities, including Precision Child Health, to maximize impact on child health

Program Development & Integration

- Build and lead a cohesive program that bridges fundamental discovery and translational science, fostering synergy among basic scientists, clinician-investigators, and collaborators




- Identify and capitalize on emerging research opportunities and technologies (e.g. organoids, genetics, advanced models) to drive breakthroughs in pediatric disease modeling and regenerative medicine

Discovery to Impact

- Accelerate the translation of discoveries into therapeutic innovations, guiding the development of new treatments and interventions
- Encourage interdisciplinary approaches that connect laboratory findings to novel clinical strategies for childhood diseases, and partner with clinical departments to embed research insights into care practices

Collaboration & Partnerships

- Forge strong collaborations across SickKids' research programs and hospital centres, as well as with University of Toronto and other leading institutions
- Promote interdisciplinary and cross-program initiatives (e.g. joint projects with other Program Heads) to leverage collective strengths and maximize resources and shared platforms
- Foster strategic partnerships with industry, funding agencies, and international research networks to enhance the program's reach and resources

People Leadership & Mentorship

- Recruit, mentor, and inspire a diverse community of scientists, clinician-scientists, and trainees
- Champion a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and excellence, supporting the career development of investigators and trainees
- Serve as a role model in scientific leadership, nurturing the next generation of research leaders in developmental, stem cell, and cancer biology

Operational Excellence & Sustainability

- Oversee the program's research portfolio and infrastructure, working with administrative leaders to ensure sustainable growth <

📌 Senior Scientist (Toronto)
🏢 The Hospital for Sick Children
📍 Toronto