Research Security Advisor
Top Benefits
About the role
Date Posted: 08/14/2025
Req ID: 44814
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Ofc of Vice Pres, Research & Innovation
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Description:
About us:
The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector.
VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.
Your opportunity:
The Research Security Advisor reports to the Director, of Research Security in the Division of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation (VPRI). The Advisor supports the university's research mission by providing content and process expertise and highly confidential geopolitical risk advice to senior administrators, divisional leaders, researchers, and collaborates closely with external counterparts. The Advisor will pro-actively support the research, analysis, preparation, submission, review, and ongoing administration of research security plans/strategies and carry out related activities. The Advisor will support the VPRI, the Office of the Vice-President International (OVPI), the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Divisional leaders in their geopolitical research security needs. The Advisor will interpret and advise on policy and procedure as it relates to the development of security components of research and innovation applications, proposals and partnerships under development, including advising faculty members on relevant security risks, processes and approvals, in close coordination with other units. The Advisor navigates and interprets new and changing requirements from the federal, provincial, and international governments, and engages with government officials with research security responsibilities at the appropriate level, under the supervision of the Director, on the identification and mitigation of research security threats, while promoting the interests of the university. This role requires strong knowledge of, and an appetite to keep up to date on, national security and geopolitical issues as they pertain to a university environment. The role requires current and relevant experience and expertise to research, analyze, and regularly advise and brief senior leadership on sensitive, confidential matters on tight and changing timelines. The Advisor will work collaboratively and consultatively in a matrixed environment with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders.
Essential Qualifications:
(MINIMUM)
EDUCATION:
- A university degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required, with work experience in research security, an academic or funding agency environment, a government national security and/or geopolitical environment, and/or an open-source intelligence gathering organization. Advanced / graduate degree , special training and certificates related to the above areas are an asset.
EXPERIENCE:
- Strong knowledge of geopolitics, national security, research security, cyber security, and the threat environment
- Experience in open or classified-source information or intelligence gathering, and analysis, 5+ years
- Experience with the procedures and terminology commonly used in open-source intelligence gathering and safeguarding research activities.
- Knowledge of Canadian research security standards, programs, and regulations
- Experience advising and briefing senior managers
- Experience working with national and global partners
- Experience creating analytical and advisory products from multiple information sources
- Experience working collaboratively and effectively in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
SKILLS:
- Emotional intelligence to have difficult conversations in an appropriate manner,
- Judgement to balance institutional, individual, and national needs,
- Strong research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills,
- Demonstrated ability to apply high-level critical thinking consistently and effectively,
- Sound decision-making and communication skills in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
- The ability to convey uncomfortable facts to senior officials
- Excellent analytic skills and detail-oriented approach to issues and analyses;
- Ability to identify issues and take proactive action including adjusting to changing priorities as necessary;
- Excellent organizational skills and time management skills;
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Experience working collaboratively and effectively in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
OTHER:
Working knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Word
- Ability to use modern office software
- Ability to work in a flexible, on and off-campus hybrid environment
- Foreign language skills in a critical area is an asset
- Higher education and certificates an asset
- Ability to hold a Government of Canada Top Secret, Level 3 clearance, if required
o This is a Canadian Federal Government process
o https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=28115
o https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/services/government-security-screening.html - Knowledge of privacy, confidentiality, and compliance
Closing Date: 08/25/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Term This is a TERM role ending November 2026.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 - Hiring Zone: $93,592 - $109,190 - Broadband Salary Range: $93,592 - $155,985
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
About University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s top university with a long history of challenging the impossible and transforming society through the ingenuity and resolve of our faculty, students, alumni, and supporters.
We are proud to be one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, bringing together top minds from every conceivable background and discipline to collaborate on the world’s most pressing challenges. As a catalyst for discovery, innovation, and progress, we prepare our students for success through an outstanding global education and commitment to inclusive excellence.
The ideas, innovations, and actions of more than 660,000 graduates advance U of T’s impact on communities across the globe.
Research Security Advisor
Top Benefits
About the role
Date Posted: 08/14/2025
Req ID: 44814
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Ofc of Vice Pres, Research & Innovation
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Description:
About us:
The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector.
VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.
Your opportunity:
The Research Security Advisor reports to the Director, of Research Security in the Division of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation (VPRI). The Advisor supports the university's research mission by providing content and process expertise and highly confidential geopolitical risk advice to senior administrators, divisional leaders, researchers, and collaborates closely with external counterparts. The Advisor will pro-actively support the research, analysis, preparation, submission, review, and ongoing administration of research security plans/strategies and carry out related activities. The Advisor will support the VPRI, the Office of the Vice-President International (OVPI), the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Divisional leaders in their geopolitical research security needs. The Advisor will interpret and advise on policy and procedure as it relates to the development of security components of research and innovation applications, proposals and partnerships under development, including advising faculty members on relevant security risks, processes and approvals, in close coordination with other units. The Advisor navigates and interprets new and changing requirements from the federal, provincial, and international governments, and engages with government officials with research security responsibilities at the appropriate level, under the supervision of the Director, on the identification and mitigation of research security threats, while promoting the interests of the university. This role requires strong knowledge of, and an appetite to keep up to date on, national security and geopolitical issues as they pertain to a university environment. The role requires current and relevant experience and expertise to research, analyze, and regularly advise and brief senior leadership on sensitive, confidential matters on tight and changing timelines. The Advisor will work collaboratively and consultatively in a matrixed environment with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders.
Essential Qualifications:
(MINIMUM)
EDUCATION:
- A university degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required, with work experience in research security, an academic or funding agency environment, a government national security and/or geopolitical environment, and/or an open-source intelligence gathering organization. Advanced / graduate degree , special training and certificates related to the above areas are an asset.
EXPERIENCE:
- Strong knowledge of geopolitics, national security, research security, cyber security, and the threat environment
- Experience in open or classified-source information or intelligence gathering, and analysis, 5+ years
- Experience with the procedures and terminology commonly used in open-source intelligence gathering and safeguarding research activities.
- Knowledge of Canadian research security standards, programs, and regulations
- Experience advising and briefing senior managers
- Experience working with national and global partners
- Experience creating analytical and advisory products from multiple information sources
- Experience working collaboratively and effectively in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
SKILLS:
- Emotional intelligence to have difficult conversations in an appropriate manner,
- Judgement to balance institutional, individual, and national needs,
- Strong research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills,
- Demonstrated ability to apply high-level critical thinking consistently and effectively,
- Sound decision-making and communication skills in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
- The ability to convey uncomfortable facts to senior officials
- Excellent analytic skills and detail-oriented approach to issues and analyses;
- Ability to identify issues and take proactive action including adjusting to changing priorities as necessary;
- Excellent organizational skills and time management skills;
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Experience working collaboratively and effectively in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
OTHER:
Working knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Word
- Ability to use modern office software
- Ability to work in a flexible, on and off-campus hybrid environment
- Foreign language skills in a critical area is an asset
- Higher education and certificates an asset
- Ability to hold a Government of Canada Top Secret, Level 3 clearance, if required
o This is a Canadian Federal Government process
o https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=28115
o https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/services/government-security-screening.html - Knowledge of privacy, confidentiality, and compliance
Closing Date: 08/25/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Term This is a TERM role ending November 2026.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 - Hiring Zone: $93,592 - $109,190 - Broadband Salary Range: $93,592 - $155,985
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
About University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s top university with a long history of challenging the impossible and transforming society through the ingenuity and resolve of our faculty, students, alumni, and supporters.
We are proud to be one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, bringing together top minds from every conceivable background and discipline to collaborate on the world’s most pressing challenges. As a catalyst for discovery, innovation, and progress, we prepare our students for success through an outstanding global education and commitment to inclusive excellence.
The ideas, innovations, and actions of more than 660,000 graduates advance U of T’s impact on communities across the globe.