Chair of the McGill Department of Human Genetics

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The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University invites applications for a full-time position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor as the Chair of the McGill University Department of Human Genetics. The ideal candidate would also be recruited to serve as Director of the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Specialized Medicine of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and Jewish General Hospital (JGH). A tenure stream position may be available for the selected candidate.

The McGill University Department of Human Genetics encompasses both basic science and clinical academic activities; it is part of the School of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University. Faculty members in the Department have research labs at the main University campus and in affiliated Research Institutes associated with the McGill teaching hospitals. The Department is accredited for service and training in clinical, biochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular genetics by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG), and for medical genetics training by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada. The Department also is responsible for training basic scientists at the undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral levels, as well as training genetic counsellors, medical students, and specialists in the various clinical areas of medical genetics. Currently more than 200 graduate and postdoctoral trainees are enrolled in the Department.

As the Chair of the Department, the successful applicant will direct the academic activities of McGill's Department of Human Genetics. The candidate will oversee faculty recruitment, mentorship, and career development. The successful candidate will be a transformational leader who will draw on strong interpersonal skills to unify a department that is geographically distributed and includes faculty members working in diverse areas including basic science, clinical research, professional training, graduate teaching, and clinical care delivery. The preferred candidate will have a track-record of success in leading inter-disciplinary research initiatives and a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

McGill faculty members are expected to contribute to service activities within their units, the University, and the wider scholarly community.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Candidates must hold an MD and/or PhD degree. MD applicants should be licensed or eligible for licensure in the province of Québec;

• MD candidates must have completed at least 2 years of advanced research training with a preference for candidates who have completed a PhD;

• Candidates should have strong leadership qualities and a proven academic track-record in medical scholarship or in academic basic and/or clinical research;

• Candidates must have the skills and experience needed to lead diverse training programs (i.e., clinical, graduate, allied health);

The ideal candidate will also be eligible to be the JGH/MUHC Division Director of Medical Genetics, although this is not mandatory. To be eligible for the latter positions, candidates must:

• have completed subspecialty training in Medical Genetics;

• be certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (or equivalent) and be eligible for licensure in Quebec and certification by the Collège des médecins du Québec;  

• be able to interact in English and in French with patients, families, and health care professionals;

All candidates must be fluent in English with a working knowledge of French. McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

The department is proud to host a respectful, multi-disciplinary, and inclusive work setting in its multiple areas of activity, which includes the training of a diverse group of students.

McGill University was founded in 1821 and is consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and among the top three in Canada. McGill is located in Montreal, Quebec (http://www.montrealinternational.com/en/ ), a multiethnic city with a sparkling cultural life. Montreal has been selected numerous times as the best city for students in North America. Montreal is safe, housing costs are among the lowest for cities of comparable size, and overall quality of life is outstanding.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, and that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, Professor Angela Campbell, Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies) by email or phone at 514-398-1660. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The following supporting documents are required:

• A cover letter that includes a description of your leadership experience and aptitudes in addition to your preliminary plans for the Department of Human Genetics and Divisions of Medical Genetics. Also include a statement indicating your personal academic plans/career path. Describe your preferred research time allocation and detail your teaching plans, research plans, and plans for service to the academic community;

• Curriculum vitae;

• The names and contact information of three referees.

Interested candidates should submit their application within 60 days of publication of this advertisement.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures . Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.