Research and Business Development Officer
About The Position
The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. The Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science is a tech innovation powerhouse and continues to rank among the world’s top computer science departments. The Research and Business Development Officer serves as the primary liaison between industry partners, faculty researchers, and graduate students, identifying and developing collaborative research opportunities that support the MScAC program and advance the Department of Computer Science's research, innovation, and commercialization objectives. The incumbent will focus on strategic business development and cultivate lasting industrial relationships. The Research and Business Development Officer will coordinate with internal units including the University's Innovations & Partnerships Office, and will help drive commercialization initiatives and develop collaborative research projects through research internship opportunities. This is a critical outward and inward facing role at the senior staff level.
Requirements
- Master's Degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, engineering, or theoretical chemistry. Computer science degree considered an asset.
- Six to seven years of recent experience in industrial and/or academic research settings in relevant disciplines (e.g. computer science, statistics, mathematics)
- Experience conducting or supporting research and development (R&D) in an industrial, academic, or collaborative research environment
- Experience formulating, coordinating, and implementing industry-based research projects
- Experience engaging with graduate programs and working with graduate students; experience advising students through internship cycles preferred
- Experience in assessing, formulating, and articulating a business case for partnering on high-quality academic-industry research and development problems
- Demonstrated success in business development, achieved cultivating, developing, and sustaining long-term relationships with industry, academic, and government stakeholders
- Experience developing and managing project & program budgets
- Experience writing documents (such as complex business contracts, grant and investment proposals) and compiling statistical reports
- Excellent problem solving, decision making, and facilitation skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills to build consensus, employ multiple approaches, and manage the conflicting expectations of multiple stakeholders
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to assess emerging technologies, industry trends, and partnership opportunities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to exercise discretion and tact
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting
Nice To Haves
- Experience with industry-academic governmental funding programs such as Mitacs, NSERC, and OCI
Responsibilities
- Developing and implementing plans to support areas of research relevant to industry needs that are consistent with the University’s academic mission
- Writing grant and investment proposals to acquire proof of concept and product development funding
- Developing and implementing strategies to maximize the economic and social impact of commercialization partnerships
- Using formal negotiation skills to settle the financial and business terms of all commercialization agreements
- Identifying, developing and executing strategies for research and development collaborations
- Serving as a resource on specific issues to a group of specialists
- Developing project schedules including milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting
- Forecasting, planning and monitoring multiple complex budgets
Benefits
- Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
