University of Toronto

Research and Business Development Officer

University of Toronto$123K — $158K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, engineering, or theoretical chemistry; computer science preferred.
  • 6-7 years of relevant experience in industry and/or academic research settings.
  • Experience in R&D within industrial or collaborative environments.
  • Proven track record in managing industry-based research projects.
  • Familiarity with advising students through internship processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to create and maintain long-term academic-industry partnerships.
  • Expertise in developing and managing project budgets.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement research plans aligned with industry needs and academic mission.
  • Draft grant and investment proposals for funding.
  • Maximize the impact of commercialization partnerships through strategic planning.
  • Negotiate financial and business terms for commercialization agreements.
  • Execute strategies for collaborative research and development initiatives.
  • Act as a resource for specialists on specific issues.
  • Create detailed project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.

Benefits

  • Potential for an Alternative Work Arrangement as per university guidelines.
  • Opportunities for professional growth in a leading academic environment.
  • Engagement with cutting-edge research and collaboration with industry partners.
  • Access to university resources and support for ongoing professional development.
Full Job Description
Date Posted: 06/12/2026
Req ID: 48471
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Dept of Computer Science
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number:
Existing Vacancy: Yes

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: [email protected].

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

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.

About University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest university in Canada by enrollment and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of academic disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, and business. The University of Toronto is known for its research excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including four Nobel laureates. The university was founded in 1827 and has three campuses in the Toronto area.
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