Scientific Director, Shkaabe Makwa

Through its core values of Courage, Respect and Excellence, CAMH is implementing its Strategic Plan: Connected CAMH, to transform lives, ignite innovation and discovery, revolutionize education and drive social change. CAMH is more than a hospital, it is a cause. CAMH is on a mission to change the way society thinks about and responds to mental illness. They aim to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and shape a world where mental illness is central to our healthcare system – a world where Mental Health is Health.

To learn more about CAMH, please visit their website at: www.camh.ca.

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Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH is the first hospital-based Centre in Canada designed to drive culturally‑responsive systems initiatives to achieve health justice and wellness for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities through the advancement of research, workforce development and innovative healing models that harmonize traditional knowledge and medical expertise.

Shkaabe Makwa is seeking a full‑time, permanent Scientific Director to shape the Centre’s research portfolio and develop a transformational research agenda that supports Indigenous self‑determination in health, and contributes to policy, practice, and systems change. Reporting to Senior Vice President, Research and Science and Senior Director, Shkaabe Makwa, the Scientific Director will support research teams working closely with Indigenous communities, organizations, service providers, leaders, people with lived/living experience and other partners to co‑develop and implement culturally‑grounded research that is underpinned by strong ethical values, decolonial approaches, and intentional efforts to advance Indigenous health justice. The position will also oversee research teams who develop, adapt, pilot, and evaluate clinical interventions and treatment modalities that weave traditional knowledge and western evidence, and explore the implementation of traditional healing practices in the hospital system.

This is an exceptional scientific leadership opportunity for a visionary researcher to provide strategic research and administrative leadership for Shkaabe Makwa and facilitate leading‑edge research that responds to the priorities of Indigenous communities and partners while driving change. The ideal candidate is a respected First Nations, Inuit, or Métis researcher with significant experience leading interdisciplinary, community‑based collaborative research that informs mental health and substance use policy, practice and/or systems change.

This position is located at 60 White Squirrel Way. This role will require some evening and weekend hours and travel to communities across Ontario, and beyond.

Responsibilities

Promote and facilitate leading‑edge research, including collaborative and interdisciplinary research, in areas related to the mission of Shkaabe Makwa and the hospital

Provide strong foresight and business acumen to grow and develop the research portfolio at Shkaabe Makwa, ensuring a grounding in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis knowledges, worldviews, and values.

Lead strategic planning for the research portfolio at Shkaabe Makwa, ensuring alignment with the mission and goals of Shkaabe Makwa and the hospital.

Lead, inspire and support a team of scientists, researchers and operational staff in creating a safe, positive and inclusive environment that results in high performing teams while fostering a culture of work‑life balance.

Provide scientific leadership, ensuring that Shkaabe Makwa‑led research projects are methodologically sound, rigorous, high quality and aligned with ethical standards and practices.

Maintain a robust program of independent research, including leading the development and submission of funding applications that advance high impact research that respond to the needs and priorities for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and address gaps in health policy and the mental health and substance use system.

Oversee finances for Shkaabe Makwa’s research portfolio.

Accountable for establishing and strengthening reciprocal relationships with First Nation, Métis and urban Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, Indigenous researchers, Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers.

Accountable for identifying and cultivating opportunities for collaborative partnerships across CAMH and CAMH research centers, and for establishing and extending research partnerships and networks through local, national and international collaborations

Oversee the planning, development, and implementation of an Indigenous data governance framework for CAMH and ensure management of existing and new sources of data held by Shkaabbeka align with the framework.

Encourage, support and cooperate with Foundation/hospital fundraising efforts.

Serve on administrative committees essential to the operations of Shkaabe Makwa and research working groups as appropriate.

Support knowledge mobilization activities, ensuring research findings are communicated to a range of audiences.

Together with the Director, Strategy & Planning, oversee the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the Centre.

This position requires the incumbent to be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis with strong ties to Indigenous communities.

PhD and/or MD with a record of interdisciplinary and collaborative research informing mental health and addiction policy and practice, including epidemiology of mental illness and/or addictions; policy and/or prevention research; population mental health and/or addictions; intervention development and evaluation research and/or health services and health systems research or related fields.

Minimum 8 years of independent research experience, including 2 or more years in a Senior Scientist role and/or other scientific leadership experience

Hold an academic position at, or be affiliated with, an accredited post‑secondary institution in Ontario.

Demonstrated track record of excellence and achievements in all aspects of independent research performance (e.g., grant funding success, peer‑reviewed publications and other research outputs, recognition at the national or international level in the form of keynote invitations and major prizes, etc.).

Demonstrated ability to provide leadership to large research teams and research programs in an evolving research environment, and experience in forming multicenter collaborations.

Ability to develop and articulate a strategic vision for Shkaabbeka’s research program and align research priorities with Shkaabbeka’s mission and the mission of the hospital.

Experience centering Indigenous knowledges, worldviews, and values across the lifecycle of a research project.

Excellent communication skills (oral and written) to represent Shkaabbeka and communicate research findings as well as superior facilitation, negotiation, and consensus‑building skills in order to listen to and build relationships with a broad range of partners and stakeholders.

Demonstrated understanding of and experience supporting Indigenous data sovereignty.

Strong managerial and administrative skills are essential for effective oversight in a complex environment with multiple competing priorities.

Excellent knowledge of equity, diversity, and inclusion and the ability to integrate anti‑sanist, anti‑ableist, decolonial, and anti‑racist practices into all aspects of the portfolio’s work.

Demonstrated knowledge of human and financial resources planning and management.

Proficiency in both official languages and/or an Indigenous language is an asset.

CAMH strives to create a diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace where all employees, irrespective of their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or identity can thrive.

Please Note:

This full‑time, permanent position is NOT part of any bargaining unit.

Salary is competitive and based on experience, with a hiring range of

$158,171.74 – $197,714.68 per year.

based on leadership experience, qualifications, and organizational needs

Full Salary Range:

$158,171.74 – $237,257.62 per year

reflecting progressive growth and leadership tenure within the organization

CAMH Advantage Includes participation in HOOPP defined benefit pension plan, extended health and wellness benefits, and opportunities to shape healthcare innovation at a systems level.

CAMH is a fully affiliated teaching hospital and research institute of the University of Toronto. As a CAMH employee, you will contribute to our mission by supporting teaching, research, and clinical care across the hospital.

CAMH is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment is to foster a workplace, teaching, and learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination or harassment.

CAMH strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; LGBTQ2S+ communities; women; and people with disabilities, including those with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Thank you to all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodations during the application or recruitment process, please let us know.

CAMH is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace ...