Director, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD)

The Faculty of Medicine (FoM) at The University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) invite applications for the position of Director, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD). The appointment is for an initial term of five (5) years with the possibility of renewal, subject to satisfactory review. The position is expected to be filled by a candidate internal to UBC who currently holds a faculty appointment at UBC or is eligible to hold an adjunct, partner or clinical faculty position. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2023 or upon a date to be mutually agreed.

This position is located within a health-care facility. Therefore, this position requires successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by the provincial health mandate.

ICORD is a world leading health research centre focused on spinal cord injury. From the lab-based cellular level of understanding injury to rehabilitation and recovery, our researchers are dedicated to the development and translation of more effective strategies to promote prevention, functional recovery, and improved quality of life after spinal cord injury. Located at Vancouver General Hospital in the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, ICORD is supported by UBC FoM and VCHRI. Their mission is to conduct research and training towards the development and translation of more effective strategies to promote prevention, functional recovery, and improved quality of life after spinal cord injury.

Reporting jointly to the Vice-Dean, Research, FoM at UBC and the Executive Director, VCHRI, the Director, ICORD is responsible for implementing the research strategy, supporting the research of investigators and research scientists in the Centre, developing and maintaining partnerships to ensure faculty/research scientists are supported by the organization and host institutions to effectively conduct their scholarly activities. The Director oversees the activities of ICORD, including grants, research contracts, and compliance with UBC and VCHRI research policies. The incumbent will be a member of relevant research committees of the UBC FoM and VCHRI.

Candidates should have a MD and/or PhD in a relevant discipline and a minimum of five years’ experience as an independent investigator including experience in the development and delivery of collaborative research programs. Candidates should be internationally recognized and have a demonstrated track record of significant research achievement, commitment to multi-institute collaborations and ability to value the diversity of contributions from partners. Candidates should possess collaborative leadership skills and ability to work effectively with learners, trainees, faculty, health professionals and administrative leadership.

A more detailed job description is available in the Vice-Dean, Research’s Office, FoM, for those who wish to review it. Please enquire at the email address below.

Please submit a letter of application accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, names of four references, vision document (1-2-page) outlining a plan to enhance the vision and leadership of the research centre, up to five recent publications that you would consider representative of how your research relates to the research centre, and a brief statement (1-2 pages) that describes any current or planned engagements and contributions made to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic (research/scholarship, teaching/learning), professional (non-academic or clinical work), or community (local, national, international community-based) contexts to:

W. Robert McMaster, D. Phil
Vice Dean, Research
c/o Meredith Ladner
Room 317, IRC, UBC
2194 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

Email: Meredith.ladner@ubc.ca with subject line: Director, ICORD

Review of applications will begin on March 10, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students, and is essential to fostering an outstanding work environment. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short-listed. Please contact Meredith Ladner via email at Meredith.ladner@ubc.ca.

To learn more about UBC’s Center for Workplace Accessibility, visit the website here https://hr.ubc.ca/CWA.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of thexʷm əθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

The Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) bridges world-class university research with leading clinical specialists, harnessing the brightest minds and opportunities that will fuel the future of medical innovation. They are committed to accelerating the translation and implementation of new discoveries, technologies and treatment options into the health care system. VCHRI comprises more than 2,400 personnel engaged in research across 15 world renowned research centres and programs. Their research activities range from laboratory-based research to gain understanding about the human body and health conditions, to clinical research focused on evaluating new ways to provide patient care.