Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, in Toronto, Canada — fully affiliated with the University of Toronto — is seeking a visionary leader to become the next Chief of Psychiatry. This is more than a role; it is an opportunity to shape the future of mental health care, education, and research at Sunnybrook, in Canada and beyond.
Mental health is at the forefront of health innovation and system reform. At Sunnybrook, psychiatry is not isolated, it is integrated, interdisciplinary, and transformative. Our faculty work across the lifespan, from youth to geriatrics, bridging clinical excellence, education, research and innovation, that inspires the next generation of leaders. Sunnybrook is internationally recognized for leadership in interventional psychiatry and neuromodulation, leveraging advanced technologies to translate brain science into clinical impact. Close integration with neurosurgery, neurology, imaging sciences, and biomedical engineering creates a uniquely fertile environment for innovation in brain-based therapies, including non-invasive and invasive neuromodulation platforms.
As Chief, you will lead a team of staff, harnessing their talents to redefine care, advance knowledge, and create impact that resonates far beyond our walls. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed.
About Sunnybrook
Sunnybrook has a bold mission to Invent the Future of Health Care. Guided by our Invent 2030 strategy, we deliver precise, integrated, and patient-centered care while nurturing thriving teams. The Department of Psychiatry is part of the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, fostering collaboration across neuroscience, rehabilitation and behavioural health, creating unique opportunities to transform understanding and treatment of the mind and brain.
We educate 5,000+ trainees annually, host world-class research and innovation through the Sunnybrook Research Institute, and touch the lives of over 1.1 million patients each year. This is a place where innovation meets impact, and where your leadership will leave a lasting legacy.
About the Role
The Chief will provide visionary leadership to 50+ full-time faculty members across three formal divisions: Youth, Adult, and Geriatric Psychiatry. However, our faculty practices across the breadth of psychiatry, including mood Disorders, OCD, Consultation-Liaison for cancer care, trauma and Women and Babies programs, and Veteran's mental health. Integration into Sunnybrook’s academic health sciences environment offers unique opportunities in clinical care and program development and shaping interdisciplinary programs across the hospital. Key areas of academic focus include suicide prevention and, mood and anxiety disorders. We are one of the largest provider for rTMS treatments in the province.
We are seeking a visionary leader who will:
- Inspire and mentor faculty, trainees, and interdisciplinary teams
- Champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care
- Build partnerships that advance integrated mental health services locally and provincially
- Shape innovative research, clinical programs, and educational initiatives particularly in interventional psychiatry, neuromodulation, and precision mental health that change lives
Qualifications
Our next Chief of Psychiatry will:
- Demonstrate transformational leadership, with a track record of mentoring faculty and trainees
- Hold an MD with certification in Psychiatry (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or equivalent)
- Be eligible for a full-time academic appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, University of Toronto
- Have experience in diverse populations, equity, inclusion, and culturally sensitive care
- Hold a record of peer-reviewed research and/or leadership in education or service delivery innovation
- Be committed to community partnerships and integration with broader health system initiatives
Application Instructions
Applications will be accepted until April 13, 2026, but the position will remain open until filled. Please submit:
- Letter of interest
- Statement of contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) – 300 words max
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for three referees
Submit applications to:
Ms. Pooneh Baghai, Chair, Search Committee, c/o Ms. Rajni Sandhu, Office of Medical Professional Practice
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room DG29, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5 Canada
Email: rajni.sandhu@sunnybrook.ca
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Diversity Statement
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for applicants with disabilities.