Dean, Faculty of Science

The University of Waterloo invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean, Faculty of Science, with the appointment to be effective July 1, 2023. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a Faculty that is a global leader and preferred destination for world-class research, innovation, entrepreneurial activities, and co-operative education. The Faculty is  shaping the future through understanding our planet and the universe, sustainably developing natural resources, protecting our water, and improving the health of Canadians.

The University of Waterloo — consistently ranked as Canada’s most innovative university — is home to transformational research and inspired learning in science and engineering, health, environment, arts, and social sciences. With the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, Waterloo encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research, and commercialization. The University has developed a reputation for the excellence and relevance of its undergraduate, graduate, and professional education for more than 42,000 students in the heart of Canada’s technology hub. Waterloo embraces its connections to the world with campuses and education centres on four continents and academic partnerships spanning the globe. Waterloo brings ideas and brilliant minds together, inspiring innovations with real impact to shape our planet, today and in the future. For more information, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

The Faculty of Science is a world leader in research, education, and beyond the lab experiences at local, national, and international levels. With almost 6,300 undergraduate and 626 graduate students, its research and education are divided into four departments - Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy - and two world-class professional schools - the School of Optometry and Vision Science and the School of Pharmacy. The Faculty offers 17 undergraduate degree programs, professional Doctor of Optometry and Doctor of Pharmacy programs, and 13 graduate programs at the masters and doctoral levels of study. With internationally renowned researchers that include a Nobel Laureate, two Canada Excellence Research Chairs, and 14 Canada Research Chairs, the Faculty generates $50 million in annual research funding. Its scientists push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and excellence by studying such diverse areas as nanotechnology, quantum computing, water resources, and cancer growth, and through participating in numerous Faculty and University research institutes and centres. The Faculty supports innovation, excellence, and community outreach through a variety of programs and institutional strategies and is committed to providing quality hands-on experience to students and fostering a culture of scientific innovation and entrepreneurship. Please visit https://uwaterloo.ca/science/ for more information.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost and serving as an officer of the University within Waterloo’s senior administration, the Dean of the Faculty of Science provides visionary strategic direction, academic planning leadership, external relations, and administrative oversight to achieve the highest possible standards in science education and research. Working in collaboration with the Department Chairs, School Directors, and Associate Deans, the Dean will lead and expand the boundaries of innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research, and will successfully manage the financial, administrative, and human resources of the Faculty. As a champion for teaching and scholarship who is committed to the success and development of students, faculty, and staff, the Dean will work collaboratively with academic, industry, alumni, and public sector partners to further enhance the stature and resources of the Faculty.

The successful candidate for Dean, Faculty of Science will be an accomplished leader with strong achievements in teaching, innovative and interdisciplinary research, and community engagement who will be appointed as a full Professor within one of the Faculty’s Departments/Schools. With proven academic leadership experience and a record of building strong teams, the new Dean will possess an open and collegial style, a creative approach to problem solving, and outstanding management, communication, and interpersonal skills. The ability to relate successfully to a range of internal and external partners, promote and amplify the Faculty’s strengths to external stakeholders, and to identify and generate new sources of funding will be required.  Committed to the success of students, staff, and faculty, the new Dean will be able to promote excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion and ensure a focus on wellness and student success.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests related to any of the Ontario Human Rights Code protected grounds, please contact WaterlooScience@lavernesmith.com.

The advisory committee will begin consideration of candidates immediately and will continue until the role is filled.  Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.

WaterlooScience@lavernesmith.com