Course Lecturer - CANC D

The PhD in Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences Program (ICSP) of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, is seeking applications for a Course Lecturer for the  academic year to teach the CANC 621 D2 Seminars in Cancer Sciences course, an interdisciplinary, PhD level course. This posting is specifically for the Pillar 4 (Psychosocial Oncology) Course Coordinator role. The course is co-coordinated by four Course Coordinators, one representing each ICSP pillar.

The successful candidate will serve as the Pillar 4 (Psychosocial Oncology) Course Coordinator, working collaboratively with the other three coordinators to deliver a cohesive and interdisciplinary learning experience.

This appointment is made in accordance with the McGill University Course Lecturer Agreement and is a non-tenure-track, contractually defined teaching appointment.

CANC 621 D1/D2 – Seminars in Cancer Sciences is a multi-term course offered over the Fall and Winter terms. The course exposes ICSP PhD students to a broad range of cancer research disciplines through attendance at seminars by leading cancer researchers in different fields as well as in-class journal clubs and discussion. The course will focus on the following cancer research disciplines: cancer biology, cancer therapeutics and care, cancer epidemiology and global cancer control, and psychosocial oncology.

By the end of this course, students will have gained a better understanding of the types of cancer research conducted within and outside of students’ area of expertise. Specific learning outcomes include:

• Identify and discuss cutting-edge cancer research in different disciplines
• Synthesize new research findings to a multidisciplinary audience.
• Develop critical thinking skills: evaluate and analyze the results and methods used in inter-disciplinary cancer research

For Pillar 4 – Psychosocial Oncology, course content may include:

• Research on the psychological, behavioral, emotional, and social issues affecting people with cancer and their caregivers throughout the disease trajectory i.e., from diagnosis to end of life. This includes distress screening, symptom management, and survivorship care planning.
• Research addressing specific concerns such as fear of cancer recurrence, long-term adaptation after treatment, and the impact of health communication, patient-provider relationships, and shared decision-making that impacts psychological well-being.
• Research on the effectiveness of psychosocial intervention to improve quality of life e.g., psychotherapy, support groups, meaning-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and clinical hypnosis, all in improving patient and caregiver outcomes.
• Research on primary and secondary prevention from a psychosocial perspective, including promoting healthy behaviors, reducing risk factors, enhancing screening participation, and improving adherence to early detection and follow-up care.

The Course Lecturer will:

• Serve as Course Coordinator for Pillar 4 - Psychosocial Oncology, contributing to course leadership alongside three co-coordinators (one per pillar).
• Prepare and deliver Pillar-specific course content, or identify and invite guest lecturers, and select relevant research papers.
• Attend sessions led by Pillar 4 guest lecturers.
• Coordinate and communicate regularly with the other course coordinators to ensure alignment of learning objectives, course structure, and assessment strategies.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of the course syllabus and learning activities, in collaboration with co-coordinators.
• Evaluation of student work for Pillar 4, in accordance with McGill assessment policies.
• Provide reasonable student consultation and hold office hours as required
• Administer course-related responsibilities as required under the Course Lecturer Agreement (e.g., grading, review meetings, course feedback)
• Attend assigned course sessions, including student presentations

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a field relevant to psychosocial oncology
• Demonstrated expertise in Pillar 4-aligned research and/or professional practice
• Evidence of teaching experience or training at the undergraduate or graduate level
• Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills

• Experience teaching or coordinating graduate-level courses
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary or team-taught course models
• Experience working with…