Job Posting: PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow (GPD) Graduate Program Director

The PhD and PDF Graduate Program Director (GPD), will be the principal academic contact between the program and graduate studies and has primary responsibility for all academic matters concerning students in the PhD program or trainees registered as a Postdoctoral Fellows, as described below. The PhD and PDF GPD reports directly to the Associate Chair (Research and Graduate Programs) as well as the Departmental Chair, the Associate Dean (Faculty of Medicine) for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The time commitment is estimated to be 1 day/week averaged over the year (0.20 FTE full time equivalent) with a salary stipend. This is a three-year appointment with the possibility of renewal.

PhD Program Management & Curriculum

• chairs the program’s Graduate Committee and works with the MSc Graduate Program Director (GPD) to set the agenda
• chairs or assigns a delegate for the PhD comprehensive exam including working with the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) to set the timeline, schedule the oral defense, coordinate examination steps and enter final grade
• facilitates the maintenance and enhancement of quality and timely completion of all students in the PhD graduate program and works together with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) in achieving that goal
• ensures a graduate-level learning environment
• helps to mediate PhD student-supervisor conflicts (in case of conflicts between the GPD and his/her own students, should direct the student to the Department Chair)
• responsible for the management of graduate activities pertaining to PhD graduate students, in aiding the academic staff involved in graduate education, and for any other pedagogical, operational, and administrative issues that affect the PhD graduate students, i.e, topics for FMED702, creation of advanced methods courses, monitoring progress, completion of milestones program, supervision and coordination of Tannenbaum Fellows with Postgraduate Director, support of FMGSS activities and representation
• monitors and implements PhD program design and practice, including modification of degree requirements and addition and deletion of graduate courses
• ensures the preparation and filing of (at least) an annual progress report for each PhD student
• is familiar with the program’s most recent regulations and review and ensures that any PhD graduate program information in public documents (website, brochures, etc.) is up to date and consistent with approved GPS regulations and information
• works with the Financial Officer, the MSc Graduate Program Director, the Associate Chair and GPC for appropriate use of program budget

PhD Graduate Program Admissions & Funding

• work with the Department to assess enrolment capacity and effectively communicate them to the departmental chair, Graduate Liaison (Associate or Assistant Deans), Faculty Dean, and GPS
• determines that an appropriate PhD thesis Supervisor is available for the student’s declared field of research before nominating the student for admission (or, if these activities are the responsibility of a separate admission committee, provides this  committee with any help they may need to do this job)
• may be responsible for recruiting graduate students and nominating them for admission (or, if not, should provide the committee or individual responsible with any help necessary for them to do these jobs)
• work with the Financial Officer, the MSc Graduate Program Director and GPC for appropriate use of graduate fund allocation and dispersion of PhD student stipends
• works with GPS, the departmental chair, the Graduate Liaison of his/her Faculty (Associate or Assistant Deans), and the Faculty Dean to help in maximizing financial support for students, including making students aware of opportunities for external scholarships, etc.
• oversees the application and ranking process for external awards for PhD (SSHRC,NSERC, CHIR, Quebec Scholarships)

PhD Graduate Program Relations with Trainees/Department/GPS/Faculty of Medicine

• is expected to develop a good working relationship with the participants in the program (faculty, students, staff) and with staff, the MSc Director and GPS
• depending on the issue, represents the graduate student, academic staff in the program, GPS, or a combination of the above
• liaises with external accreditation/licensing bodies about curriculum content (where required)
• must be familiar with regulations affecting the graduate program (University Senate, GPS and local program regulations), GPS business processes concerning the graduate program, and must communicate these practices effectively and efficiently to the academic staff and graduate students
• promotes GPS and program regulations and encourages academic staff, and especially new hires, to inform themselves of them
• publicize and support supervisory and other GPS workshops for academic staff
• understands the intent of the PhD program’s and GPS regulations and business processes and knows whom to approach in GPS regarding their interpretation

Postdoctoral Fellows

• ensures appropriate registration of Postdoctoral Fellows
• encourages and supports representation and involvement of PDF in graduate program activities

How to apply
Applicants should be current active members of the Graduate Programs in good standing with a demonstrated track record of PhD and PDF graduate supervision as well as an understanding of the relevant policies and approaches embodied in the PhD Program and PDF training. Applications will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee comprised of the Department Chair, Associate Chairs and program staff.

Please send a letter of interest with your academic CV to acad-hr.fammed [at] mcgill.ca (Ms. Rosa Coppola) by March 25, 2019.

Expected start date is May 1, 2019.