Executive Director, Population Health Research Institute – McMaster University & Hamilton Health

Population Health Research Institute (PHRI)

The Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) is a world leading academic research institute dedicated to advancing global health through innovative, large scale clinical trials and population health studies. A joint enterprise of Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and McMaster University, PHRI occupies a unique position at the intersection of academic excellence and health system impact.

PHRI is internationally recognized for landmark research that has transformed clinical practice, health policy, and population health outcomes globally. Its work spans the full continuum of health and disease from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and health systems improvement, supported by deep expertise in study design, trial coordination, data science, and knowledge translation. PHRI’s collaborative, mission driven environment brings together world class scientists, clinicians, trainees, and operational experts committed to scientific rigor, innovation, and impact.

The Opportunity

PHRI is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Executive Director, responsible for the Institute’s overall scientific, strategic, and operational leadership. The Executive Director serves Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University through the leadership of the Population Health Research Institute. While administratively reporting through Hamilton Health Sciences, the role works in partnership with leaders from both organizations through a joint governance structure and is accountable for advancing shared institutional and research priorities.

The Executive Director will provide leadership across all aspects of the Institute’s research and operations, including strategic planning, research excellence, operational performance, fiscal stewardship, partnerships, talent development, and external engagement. As Chair of the Institute’s Executive Council, the successful candidate will work closely with academic, clinical, government, industry, philanthropic, and community partners to advance PHRI’s mission and impact. The Executive Director will shape PHRI’s long term vision, strengthen its international reputation, and ensure its continued excellence and sustainability.

The role will champion research excellence across the clinical research continuum, foster a highly collaborative and inclusive research culture, and strengthen partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally. The Executive Director will also play a key role in advancing research integration within care delivery, supporting knowledge translation, attracting top scientific talent, securing research funding, and building strong collaborations across hospital, university, and industry sectors.

In partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University leadership, the Executive Director will help shape the Institute’s future infrastructure, staffing, and growth strategy while supporting meaningful engagement of patients, families, and communities in research priorities and processes.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring the stature, vision, and leadership capability to advance one of the world’s leading population health research institutes. They will possess a doctoral degree (PhD and/or MD) and an outstanding record of research excellence, impact, and academic leadership, along with significant senior leadership experience within complex academic health sciences, research institutes, or large scale clinical research environments.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong track record of leading strategic research initiatives, attracting and developing top scientific talent, and fostering high performing, collaborative, and inclusive research cultures. They will bring deep knowledge of the population health research ecosystem across provincial, national, and international contexts, as well as the ability to translate research into meaningful impact across clinical care, health systems, and health policy.

An exceptional communicator and relationship builder, the Executive Director will have credibility with academic, clinical, government, industry, philanthropic, and community stakeholders, and will demonstrate a collaborative, values driven leadership style aligned with PHRI’s mission, joint governance structure, and global reach.

The successful candidate will hold a faculty appointment at McMaster University at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. This is a five year renewable term position based in Hamilton, Ontario.

How to Apply

To express interest in this opportunity,