Research Program Manager
About the role
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Job Title
Research Program Manager
Job ID
72039
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
09/19/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (>12 months)
Close Date
10/03/2025
Employee Group
TMG
Favorite Job
Department
RES - CCEM
Salary Grade/Band
Band K
Salary Range
$78910.00 - $118366.00 (annual)
Contract Duration
24.3 Months
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday to Friday, 8:30 - 4:30pm, 35 hours per week
Education Level
Graduate degree in materials science, engineering, or physics required.
Career Level
Minimum 5 years of experience in large-scale research project or program management.
Job Description
Department Description
This Research Program Manager role is based at the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) as part of the core management team. It supports a transformative, $7.8M NSERC Alliance project in semiconductor device characterization. The research spans four major objectives: (1) 3-D connectivity mapping of chips, (2) development of new FIB and ion microscopy tools, (3) dopant analysis in nanoscale devices, and (4) strain/crystallographic measurements via advanced TEM methods. The work includes 30+ personnel across institutions, international travel and training, government and industry collaboration (TechInsights, Fibics, DRDC), and intensive use of CCEM instrumentation.
Job Summary
The Research Program Manager (RPM) is a full-time position within the CCEM leadership team, joining as the third manager alongside the Scientific Director and Facility Manager. The RPM provides coordination, communication, and leadership support to ensure smooth execution of the 5-year semiconductor metrology project. The RPM oversees technical, administrative, and strategic elements, including partner engagement, milestone tracking, team logistics, report preparation, procurement, travel coordination, and HQP integration. Over time, the RPM will assume direct supervision of CCEM staff dedicated to this project. The RPM is also a key liaison with NSERC, CCEM stakeholders, and industry and government collaborators.
Accountabilities
This position includes governance, financial oversight, business development, and outreach responsibilities.
Operational Leadership and Coordination
- Serve as a member of the research center’s management team.
- Manage day-to-day operations for a portfolio of research objectives and project participants (students, PDFs, staff, PIs).
- Oversee schedules, milestones, task assignments, and progress reporting.
- Work with the Scientific Director to set up and follow an annual governance and management calendar.
- Directly supervise technical staff assigned to the project.
- Responsible for onboarding, performance guidance, and HR coordination for staff assigned to the project, in alignment with McMaster HR policies.
Financial and Budget Oversight
- Track and reconcile multi-stream budget .
- Coordinate procurement for travel, materials, user fees (>$1.6M), and international activities.
- Liaise with research centre, research finance, and ROADS to ensure compliance with external and industry requirements.
Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as liaison with external groups.
- Draft and manage documents related to MoUs, contracts, NDAs, and IP coordination.
- Coordinate parallel and follow-on agreements with partners.
- Represent the project in steering committee meetings and advisory consultations.
Travel, Exchanges, and Event Coordination
- Coordinate travel for all HQP, including multi-month stays in various international locations.
- Arrange logistics for the Scientific Director, PDFs, and HQP to present at domestic and international conferences.
- Organize annual rotating partner symposia, including catering, lodging, and reporting logistics.
Reporting and Knowledge Dissemination
- Assist with midterm and final reporting to NSERC and partner organizations.
- Track deliverables, training outcomes, and publications .
- Support milestone-based reporting structures across Objectives 1–4.
Communications and Visibility
- Manage internal communications among project leads and students.
- Support online presence and project branding.
- Coordinate outreach with partner organizations and research centre.
- Lead outreach activities to promote the program within the Canadian semiconductor ecosystem, the Canadian defence community, and internationally.
EDI and Training Oversight
- Ensure Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles are implemented in recruitment, team culture, and reporting.
- Coordinate annual EDI training participation for team members.
- Monitor, track, and report on HQP outcomes to ensure alignment with the project’s training plan.
- Collaborate with PIs and co-Is to ensure mentoring, supervision, and training milestones are achieved.
Strategic Business Development
- Lead strategic business development activities in key growth areas: semiconductors, critical minerals, and defence-related research.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, collaborative research projects, and new industry/government clients.
- Support proposal writing, contract development, and reporting for new strategic initiatives.
- Collaborate with research centre leadership to align business development efforts with facility capabilities and national priorities.
- Represent the research centre at industry forums, trade shows, and national/international strategic meetings.
Qualifications
Education:
- Graduate degree in materials science, engineering, or physics required.
- Additional training in business, project management, or international research coordination considered an asset
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in large-scale research project or program management.
- Experience with national and international academic/industry collaborations.
- Experience working with government partners (e.g., NSERC, DRDC) and compliance reporting.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.
Research Program Manager
About the role
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Job Title
Research Program Manager
Job ID
72039
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
09/19/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (>12 months)
Close Date
10/03/2025
Employee Group
TMG
Favorite Job
Department
RES - CCEM
Salary Grade/Band
Band K
Salary Range
$78910.00 - $118366.00 (annual)
Contract Duration
24.3 Months
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday to Friday, 8:30 - 4:30pm, 35 hours per week
Education Level
Graduate degree in materials science, engineering, or physics required.
Career Level
Minimum 5 years of experience in large-scale research project or program management.
Job Description
Department Description
This Research Program Manager role is based at the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) as part of the core management team. It supports a transformative, $7.8M NSERC Alliance project in semiconductor device characterization. The research spans four major objectives: (1) 3-D connectivity mapping of chips, (2) development of new FIB and ion microscopy tools, (3) dopant analysis in nanoscale devices, and (4) strain/crystallographic measurements via advanced TEM methods. The work includes 30+ personnel across institutions, international travel and training, government and industry collaboration (TechInsights, Fibics, DRDC), and intensive use of CCEM instrumentation.
Job Summary
The Research Program Manager (RPM) is a full-time position within the CCEM leadership team, joining as the third manager alongside the Scientific Director and Facility Manager. The RPM provides coordination, communication, and leadership support to ensure smooth execution of the 5-year semiconductor metrology project. The RPM oversees technical, administrative, and strategic elements, including partner engagement, milestone tracking, team logistics, report preparation, procurement, travel coordination, and HQP integration. Over time, the RPM will assume direct supervision of CCEM staff dedicated to this project. The RPM is also a key liaison with NSERC, CCEM stakeholders, and industry and government collaborators.
Accountabilities
This position includes governance, financial oversight, business development, and outreach responsibilities.
Operational Leadership and Coordination
- Serve as a member of the research center’s management team.
- Manage day-to-day operations for a portfolio of research objectives and project participants (students, PDFs, staff, PIs).
- Oversee schedules, milestones, task assignments, and progress reporting.
- Work with the Scientific Director to set up and follow an annual governance and management calendar.
- Directly supervise technical staff assigned to the project.
- Responsible for onboarding, performance guidance, and HR coordination for staff assigned to the project, in alignment with McMaster HR policies.
Financial and Budget Oversight
- Track and reconcile multi-stream budget .
- Coordinate procurement for travel, materials, user fees (>$1.6M), and international activities.
- Liaise with research centre, research finance, and ROADS to ensure compliance with external and industry requirements.
Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as liaison with external groups.
- Draft and manage documents related to MoUs, contracts, NDAs, and IP coordination.
- Coordinate parallel and follow-on agreements with partners.
- Represent the project in steering committee meetings and advisory consultations.
Travel, Exchanges, and Event Coordination
- Coordinate travel for all HQP, including multi-month stays in various international locations.
- Arrange logistics for the Scientific Director, PDFs, and HQP to present at domestic and international conferences.
- Organize annual rotating partner symposia, including catering, lodging, and reporting logistics.
Reporting and Knowledge Dissemination
- Assist with midterm and final reporting to NSERC and partner organizations.
- Track deliverables, training outcomes, and publications .
- Support milestone-based reporting structures across Objectives 1–4.
Communications and Visibility
- Manage internal communications among project leads and students.
- Support online presence and project branding.
- Coordinate outreach with partner organizations and research centre.
- Lead outreach activities to promote the program within the Canadian semiconductor ecosystem, the Canadian defence community, and internationally.
EDI and Training Oversight
- Ensure Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles are implemented in recruitment, team culture, and reporting.
- Coordinate annual EDI training participation for team members.
- Monitor, track, and report on HQP outcomes to ensure alignment with the project’s training plan.
- Collaborate with PIs and co-Is to ensure mentoring, supervision, and training milestones are achieved.
Strategic Business Development
- Lead strategic business development activities in key growth areas: semiconductors, critical minerals, and defence-related research.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, collaborative research projects, and new industry/government clients.
- Support proposal writing, contract development, and reporting for new strategic initiatives.
- Collaborate with research centre leadership to align business development efforts with facility capabilities and national priorities.
- Represent the research centre at industry forums, trade shows, and national/international strategic meetings.
Qualifications
Education:
- Graduate degree in materials science, engineering, or physics required.
- Additional training in business, project management, or international research coordination considered an asset
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in large-scale research project or program management.
- Experience with national and international academic/industry collaborations.
- Experience working with government partners (e.g., NSERC, DRDC) and compliance reporting.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.