Chair of the McGill University Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health

McGill counts itself among the finest research-intensive universities in the world and our activities are based in Montreal, in the Outaouais region, and across Quebec through our affiliated health network. With a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and celebrated for its rigorous intellectual pursuits and commitment to nurturing a diverse community of scholars, students, and staff, McGill University is a hub for intellectual curiosity, creativity, and growth.

The FMHS is comprised of over 5,000 academic faculty, 970 staff members, and 8,000 students, residents, and fellows, across six schools, including the School of Population and Global Health, and two campuses. The FMHS research and teaching missions are conducted in collaboration with multiple teaching hospitals and health authority partners across Quebec. The Faculty is committed to uniting science and humanism to train outstanding health professionals and scientists who together lead the discovery, innovation, and care needed to improve the health of Quebeckers and communities around the world.

As a foundational pillar within the School of Population and Global Health (SPGH), the McGill Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health is internationally renowned for its rigorous methodological innovation, academic excellence, and impactful public health advocacy. Comprised of a dynamic, interdisciplinary community of scientists, educators, trainees, and support staff, the Department’s mission is to advance public health through cutting-edge methodological research, applied epidemiological study, and the vital translation of knowledge to improve population health both locally and globally. The vibrant academic ecosystem encompasses distinguished faculty members distributed across specialized divisions of epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational health, driving evidence-based advancements that shape health policy and outcomes in Quebec and worldwide.

Responsibilities as Chair of the McGill University Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health

We are seeking an internationally respected academic leader with demonstrated excellence in research, education, and administration to lead one of Canada’s premier academic departments in population health. The successful candidate will be expected to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Department’s academic, teaching, and research missions.

As Chair of the McGill University Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, the successful candidate will be expected to strengthen the Department’s teaching and research environments through strategic recruitment, mentorship, and faculty career development, support educational leaders in graduate studies, and strengthen collaborations within the FMHS and across the University. As a leader within McGill’s ecosystem, the Chair will seek opportunities for synergy across sites and activities, while supporting established and encouraging emerging areas of excellence.

The successful candidate is an energetic and thoughtful leader with demonstrated abilities to collaborate effectively, manage change, encourage excellence in complex, high-stakes environments and foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose within the organization. Applicants for this position should have substantive experience in both research and teaching at a high level. Applicants should have experience in administration and leadership, with the ability to build effective teams, mentor colleagues, staff, and students, and engage with academic and community partners, and governmental agencies.

The successful candidate is responsible for the academic leadership (i.e., academic, educational, and research activities) and advancement of the Department. Responsibilities include:

• Assume strategic, operational, academic, and financial responsibilities for the McGill University Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health;
• Provide effective mentoring and guidance on academic appointments, promotion, and tenure and faculty development;
• Assure inclusive internal governance to effectively coordinate the variety of activities, sites, and priorities of the Department;
• Collaborate with Program Directors on education and training matters;
• Ensure innovation and sustained excellence within academic programs in line with the Department’s 60-year tradition of teaching and learning excellence.
• Promote excellence in research within the department, in collaboration across the SPGH, and more broadly;
• Represent the Department in Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences fora, including the Faculty Leadership Commons;
• Coordinate academic planning and recruitment across the FMHS and its affiliated healthcare networks to foster successful academic programs through partnerships.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Candidates must:

• Hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree with advanced specialization in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Occupational Health, or a closely related field;
• Have demonstrated leadership abilities, a proven track-record in research and teaching, and the skills and experience needed to lead diverse teams in a collaborative, collegial manner;
• Have a record of success in managing complex academic units, and the experience in navigating institutional, academic, and public policy channels to make progress on multifaceted issues;
• Be an effective proponent of integrated research and innovative, inclusive teaching;
• Show a strong commitment to graduate and postgraduate education, with experience in developing inclusive curricula;
• Have a record of internationally recognized research excellence and a clear understanding of research with broad public health and policy impact;
• Demonstrate excellence in organization, interdisciplinary collaboration, network development, and human resource management;
• Have a track record of effective collaborations;
• Fluency in English is essential; a working knowledge of French, or a commitment to acquiring it within a few years of appointment is preferred.

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

McGill faculty members are also expected to contribute to service activities within their units, the University, and the wider scholarly community. A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is also expected.

The following supporting documents are required:

• CV and cover letter describing leadership experience and vision;
• Statement of research and educational contributions (combine all documents in a single PDF);
• The names and contact information of three referees.

Candidates should submit their application within 30 days of publication of this advertisement. For any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact the primary recruiter at liliana.ospina@mcgill.ca or acadsec.med@mcgill.ca. Applications must be submitted online via the McGill Careers Site: https://mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/McGill_Careers/job/Purvis-Hall/CHAIR-OF-THE-MCGILL-UNIVERSITY-DEPARTMENT-OF-EPIDEMIOLOGY--BIOSTATISTICS--AND-OCCUPATIONAL-HEALTH_JR0000081540

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbal and written.

L'Université McGill est une institution de langue anglaise dans laquelle la majorité des activités d'enseignement et de recherche s'effectuent en langue anglaise, rendant essentielle l'utilisation de l'anglais pour la communication orale et écrite.

Applicants do not need to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, or to hold a current Canadian work permit, in order to apply for this position.

The successful candidate must be authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based. Where required, McGill will support the successful candidate through the applicable immigration and work-authorization processes.

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 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, this email accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca or by phone at 514-398-2477.

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