Associate Director, Mentorship – Black Research Network

The Associate Director, working under the direction of the BRN Director and in close collaboration with the BRN team, will play a key role in strengthening the BRN community and its partnerships. This position is responsible for advancing the Mentoring and Pathways pillar of the BRN Strategic Plan by designing and implementing supportive mentorship structures, enhancing member engagement, and contributing to the long‑term growth and success of Black researchers across the network. The role requires creativity, strategic thinking, and a strong vision for inclusive and impactful mentorship.  

This role includes a 0.5 course release, access to research funding, and a stipend. 

• Research Assistant (RA) support to assist with the literature review and to support the development of a structured mentorship framework. 

• Funding and BRN team support for mentorship activities, for example, focus groups and engagement efforts.  

• Applications should be submitted via the online application form.

• CV in pdf format

• A 500-word statement on your interest in the Associate Director position, including your previous experience with mentorship. 

• Outline one or more mentorship matching programs you would develop as a BRN Associate Director. Describe the goals, target pairings, and format of each initiative (e.g., workshops, peer mentoring programs, focus groups), and note any considerations for feasibility or evaluation, including timelines. (750 words max)  

Program Development & Coordination 

• Collaborate with the BRN Director and BRN support team on program planning, development, and implementation. 

• Develop and implement a Mentorship Matching Program, informed by relevant peer reviewed literature and the BRN 360 Mentorship Guide, including: 

• Leading the design and development of one to two focused mentorship pathway models from the ground up (e.g., pre-tenure faculty–senior faculty; graduate student–postdoctoral fellow; undergraduate–graduate student)  

• Establishing clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables for program design, pilot implementation, and evaluation 

• Refining and scaling effective models for use across additional pairings within the network 

Faculty Support & Engagement 

• In collaboration with the BRN Director, provide ongoing guidance and support to faculty mentors throughout the academic year, as needed.  

• Facilitate two mentorship-aligned panel discussions (one in-person and one virtual), with logistical and content support provided by the BRN team. 

 
Evaluation & Reporting 

• Assess the Mentorship Matching Program using surveys and feedback.  

• Identify gaps in mentorship support and recommend improvements. 

• Prepare annual reports (year-end) in collaboration with the BRN support Team summarizing mentorship activities, outcomes, and recommendations.  

 
Time Commitment 

• Approximately 10 to 12 hours per week 

• Biweekly meetings with the BRN Director and Program Lead  

• Monthly team meetings  

Success in this role looks like moving BRN mentorship from a set of ideas or fragmented efforts to a tested, evidence-informed, and scalable system that meaningfully supports Black researchers’ progression. 

By the end of the two-year term, the Associate Director will: 

• Design, pilot, and refine 1–2 mentorship pathway models with clear structures, timelines, and participant experiences, ready to be adapted across additional pairings, and sustained beyond the term  
   

• Produce a report on mentorship outcomes, including what worked, what did not, and evidence-informed recommendations for refinement, continuation, and expansion  
   

• Develop practical tools and templates (e.g., matching frameworks, onboarding guides, mentorship agreements) to enable consistent delivery and long-term continuity of mentorship programs 

For more information, please reach out to Rabia Saleem (BRN Program Lead) at rabia.saleem@utoronto.ca