Director, Research Ethics & Infrastructure

Summary: The director, research infrastructure provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for research infrastructure across the university. This position leads the planning, development, sustainability, and modernization of scientific equipment, facilities, and research infrastructure resources. Working closely with researchers, academic units, research centres, university leadership, and external partners, this role directs infrastructure investments, financial sustainability, facility operations, and long-term development initiatives. The director advances research capacity through effective stewardship of significant infrastructure assets, the coordination of infrastructure renewal and expansion projects, and the promotion of collaboration across the institution and beyond. This role also oversees infrastructure governance, reporting, and compliance, as well as the optimization of research equipment, facilities, and space utilization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Oversees confidential strategic financial planning and sustainability initiatives for research infrastructure, including budgeting, fee structures, risk management approaches, revenue generation, and resource allocation.
- Develops and implements long-term strategic research infrastructure plans aligned with university research priorities and future growth objectives.
- Directs significant infrastructure investments, including the acquisition, replacement, renewal, and upgrading of scientific equipment and research facilities.
- Manages the full employee lifecycle of direct reports, including hiring, professional development, mentoring, assigning workflow, and performance management.




- Provides confidential strategic advice to senior leadership, committees, and stakeholders on infrastructure strategy, investment priorities, deviations from approved plans, and opportunities for expansion.
- Supports and participates in securing matching funds and supports major research infrastructure purchases in collaboration with researchers, academic units, and faculties.
- Directs and oversees the acquisition, allocation, and utilization of equipment and assets within core facilities, collaborating with laboratory and academic leaders to establish priorities and resolve competing operational needs.
- Establishes and leads advisory committees to monitor strategic and financial plans and provide progress reporting through formal presentations and reports.
- Supports the development of proposals for research infrastructure renewal, enhancement, and expansion in collaboration with researchers and advisory bodies.
- Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among university centres, research facilities, external partners, and other institutions to strengthen research capabilities and infrastructure capacity.
- Leads the development and advancement of research facilities, including core research facilities.
- Supports the operation of infrastructure units, including staffing, safety practices, client services, user fee schedules, maintenance activities, and operational planning.




- Supports software systems used in the management of university research infrastructure in coordination with internal information technology partners.
- Oversees financial tracking and reporting related to infrastructure purchases, operational expenditures, and revenue generated through equipment usage.
- Maintains a current inventory of research equipment and infrastructure capacity and promotes access to this information across the research community.
- Facilitates the redeployment of underutilized equipment to areas of need across campus or coordinates the appropriate disposal of assets.
- Liaises with other universities, analytical facilities, and external organizations to share leading practices and strengthen infrastructure support.
- Promotes the effective utilization of research space in collaboration with space management stakeholders.
- Maintains institutional communication through annual reports, committee updates, strategic presentations, and other reporting activities.
- Monitors compliance with applicable funding agencies, legislation, regulations, and university policies governing research infrastructure and operations.
- Communicates and acts in a respectful and qualified manner, collaborates effectively, abides by policy, contributes to a positive and productive work and learning environment, and models thesebehavioursacross the institution.
- Builds and leads diverse teams, champions inclusive leadership, and values different perspectives.
- Engages in and supports the understanding and growth of employees with the frameworks, initiatives and activities relating to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indi

📌 Director, Research Ethics (Saskatoon)
🏢 University of Saskatchewan
📍 Saskatoon