Research and Business Development Officer

Description:

About us:

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.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

Established in 1964, 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. Our esteemed faculty boasts accolades such as two Turing Awards, along with many other national and international honours. We provide diverse programs and research opportunities while consistently producing high-impact research that is driving the future of tech in the country.

Your opportunity:

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.

Reporting to the Associate Director, MScAC Partnerships, 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.

Your responsibilities will include:

• 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

Essential Qualifications:

• 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

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience with industry-academic governmental funding programs such as Mitacs, NSERC, and OCI

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Communicator
• Diplomatic
• Efficient
• Organized
• Problem solver

For internal staff, a copy of the detailed job description is available upon request from the Faculty of Arts and Science HR Office by emailing:  View email address on jobs.utoronto.ca . 

This role may be eligible for an Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the  University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline .

Closing Date: 07/04/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 19 -- $123,756. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $158,256. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.