Application Guide
How to Apply for Executive Director, Research and Partnerships
at CIFAR
🏢 About CIFAR
CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) is a global research organization that brings together exceptional minds across disciplines to address complex questions. What makes CIFAR unique is its pioneering model of fostering long-term, interdisciplinary collaborations among top researchers worldwide, creating breakthroughs that wouldn't emerge within traditional academic silos. Someone might want to work here to be at the intersection of cutting-edge science and strategic partnership building, contributing to research that tackles humanity's most pressing challenges.
About This Role
This Executive Director role involves leading the strategic development and execution of CIFAR's research and partnership initiatives in Berkeley, CA, serving as a key bridge between the organization's global research programs and West Coast stakeholders. The role is impactful because you'll directly shape which research directions receive support, forge alliances with leading academic institutions (like UC Berkeley), government agencies, and tech sector partners, and ensure research findings translate into real-world applications and policy influence.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing progress on active research projects and preparing for a strategic call with a potential foundation funder. The afternoon could involve mentoring a staff member on partnership outreach, analyzing budget reports for a multi-year program, and collaborating with a CIFAR Fellow to refine the dissemination strategy for an upcoming paper. The role balances high-level strategy with hands-on management, often pivoting between deep analytical work and relationship-focused conversations.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who CIFAR Is Looking For
- Holds a Ph.D. in a field like neuroscience, artificial intelligence, quantum science, or global health—areas aligned with CIFAR's core research programs—and can articulate how their expertise informs partnership strategy.
- Has 5+ years of experience specifically in cultivating multi-sector research partnerships, with a proven track record of securing funding from diverse sources (e.g., government grants, philanthropic foundations, corporate R&D).
- Demonstrates exceptional project management skills in complex, interdisciplinary research environments, with experience overseeing budgets and supervising teams that include both scientific and administrative staff.
- Is a strategic communicator who can equally engage with academic researchers, government officials, and private sector executives, translating complex research into compelling narratives for different audiences.
📝 Tips for Applying to CIFAR
Explicitly connect your Ph.D. research background to one of CIFAR's current global research programs (e.g., 'Learning in Machines & Brains', 'Quantum Information Science') in your resume summary.
Quantify your partnership achievements: instead of 'built relationships,' specify 'forged 3 multi-year partnerships with top-20 universities, resulting in $2M+ in collaborative funding.'
Highlight any experience with the Bay Area research ecosystem (e.g., familiarity with UC Berkeley, DOE labs, or Silicon Valley tech R&D) since the role is based in Berkeley.
Tailor your project management examples to interdisciplinary research contexts—mention how you coordinated across academic disciplines or managed stakeholder expectations in long-term projects.
Demonstrate knowledge of CIFAR's unique model by referencing their 'global scholar networks' or 'interdisciplinary collaboration' in your application materials.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your strategic vision for identifying and developing research partnerships that align with CIFAR's mission of tackling complex, fundamental questions through interdisciplinary collaboration.", "Specific examples of how you've successfully designed, funded, and managed research projects from conception to dissemination, emphasizing interdisciplinary elements.", "Your ability to build and maintain trust with diverse stakeholders (academics, government, industry) and navigate the nuances of each sector's incentives and constraints.", "Why you're drawn to CIFAR's specific approach to research and how your background prepares you to advance their goals in the Berkeley context and beyond."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Deeply explore CIFAR's current global research programs and their associated research teams to understand their strategic priorities and identify potential alignment with your expertise.
- → Investigate CIFAR's major partners and funders (e.g., government bodies like the Government of Canada, private foundations, corporate partners) to understand their relationship landscape.
- → Review recent news, reports, or thought leadership pieces from CIFAR leadership to grasp their current challenges, successes, and future direction.
- → Research the specific Berkeley/ Bay Area research and innovation ecosystem to identify potential local partners and understand competitive dynamics.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention CIFAR, its research programs, or its unique collaborative model.
- Focusing solely on your own past research achievements without demonstrating experience or interest in building partnerships and managing teams.
- Presenting project management experience only in corporate or single-discipline contexts without examples from complex, multi-stakeholder research environments.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!