Asst or Assoc Professor (Tenure Track), Dept of Human Genetics, Genomics, Law and Policy (L001923)

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Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – Department of Human Genetics

Position description
The McGill University Department of Human Genetics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is inviting applications for a full-time position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Track) based at the Victor Dahdaleh Institute for Genomic Medicine. The professorial rank will be determined according to the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The Department of Human Genetics, a key unit within the new School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS), was established in 1993. Our department inherited a varied and thriving program of research and teaching in Human Genetics that overgrew the boundaries of other traditional departments in the science and medical faculties. Much of the current research work performed by our members reflects the understanding that there is much that genetics can contribute to, and learn from, the study of that part of human inheritance and variation presenting as disease; the research performed by our team of experts occurs in laboratories located at diverse locations including major teaching hospitals affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Canada’s internationally renowned McGill University, located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Montreal, in the province of Quebec.

Our Department is accredited for service and training (i.e., clinical, biochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular) by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG), and medical genetics training by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada and the Collège des Médecins du Québec. The Department is responsible for training basic scientists in human genetics as well as 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.
Our members carry out research and teaching across a very broad range of topics from ethics to epidemiology, from genomics to population genetics and from diseases that affect embryos to those that present at older ages.

The core administrative unit is based in the Strathcona Building and the nearby Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine is the main site for Departmental members, but they are present at the Goodman Cancer Institute, the Neuro, The Life Sciences building, the McIntyre, the RI of the MUHC, the Shriners, the Lady Davis Institute, The Douglas and the Macdonald Campus.

The Centre of Genomics and Policy (CGP) within the McGill University Department of Human Genetics is an interdisciplinary and international research Centre with a special focus on how universal human rights can both frame omics and other health innovations while also supporting the promotion and protection of human health. With precision medicine increasingly relying on data-intensive novel technologies, there is a significant risk that actual and future benefits—if not complemented by ethico-legal and policy research—will be sub-optimally utilized or unevenly distributed. This could replicate pre-existing patterns of discrimination, leading to the erosion of public trust as well as undermining the ethical and legal duties of researchers and health care professionals.

To facilitate groundbreaking discoveries and ensure meaningful and effective translation of knowledge to the clinic, it is crucial to proactively address critical issues such as governance, informed consent, data sharing, responsible AI use and deployment, and data privacy. Furthermore, to sustain the reputational foundations of the unique human rights approach of the CGP and foster wider collaboration, national and international policy interoperability is essential.
Job Duties
The successful applicant will be actively involved in the academic activities of the McGill University Department of Human Genetics. The incumbent will be expected to develop an innovative and independent research program focusing on the ethical, legal, and policy issues in the field of genomics and modern medicine. They will be a core member of the Centre of Genomics and Policy and the Victor Dahdaleh Institute for Genomic Medicine. The successful applicant will also contribute to classroom teaching and both graduate and professional training.

The successful candidate will be expected to create an internationally recognized, innovative research Ethical, Legal and Social issues (ELSI) program in human genomics; more specifically, the successful candidate will be asked to:
1. Develop a cross-cutting, independent research program in the field of genomics, law and policy that will support the construction and implementation of the necessary tools and resources that will be used to foster good governance and facilitate data sharing in the clinical and research settings, including in the fields of population research, pediatrics, rare diseases, RNA research and therapeutics;
2. Investigate emerging ethical, legal, and policy questions in the field of genomics. Design, implement and lead innovative and anticipatory ELSI solutions to foster a transparent, responsible and ethical use of digital health and AI in genomics;
3. Contribute to teaching in the classroom and ensure an inclusive, supportive training environment to attract top graduate students and professionals from around the world.
The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the scientific environment of the Victor Dahdaleh Institute for Genomic Medicine and will be required to participate in classroom instruction and graduate student supervision within the guidelines of the Department of Human Genetics.

The successful candidate will also be expected to be involved in all aspects of McGill’s academic mission (i.e., research, teaching, supervision of students and residents, and involvement in academic and administrative committees).

All McGill faculty members are expected to contribute to service activities within their units, the University and the wider scholarly community. A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas is expected.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
Candidates must:
• Have a doctoral degree in Law with demonstrated legal comparative research experience in the field of ELSI of human genetics and genomics;
• Have a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively and contribute to building a research team and a research program;
• Have proven track record of research productivity with evidence of scholarly excellence;
• Demonstrate a commitment to, and evidence of, high-quality teaching and inclusive pedagogy;
• Fluency in English is essential; a working knowledge of French, or a commitment to acquiring it within few years of appointment is preferred.
Assets:
• Have demonstrated experience in undertaking policy development;
• Have demonstrated experienced in managing research teams;
• Have prior research in the field of data governance.

JOB DETAILS

Job Type: Tenure-track
Rank: Assistant/Associate Professor
Job status: Full-time
Salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience
Posting period: 30 days

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be submitted on Workday at:
https://mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/McGill_Careers/job/Strathcona-AnatDent/Assistant-or-Associate-Professor–Tenure-Track—Department-of-Human-Genetics–Genomics–Law-and-Policy–L001923-_JR0000062528
The following supporting documents are required:
– Cover letter & curriculum vitae (as 1 pdf document)
– Statement of research
– Statement of teaching philosophy
– Names and contact information of three referees
Use a personal email address when creating an account in Workday to submit your application. Do not use @mail.mcgill.ca or @mcgill.ca email accounts to apply.

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, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

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

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