Chair in Medical Education Research

Department/Unit

Continuing Professional Development

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

About the opportunity

The Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University is pleased to invite applications for the Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association Limited-Term Chair in Medical Education Research. The successful candidate will be offered a FTE for a 5-year term, renewable for one additional term, contingent upon successful review. The Chair position is accompanied by an underlying, continuing academic appointment within the Office of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education (CPDME) and may also include a cross-appointment in the relevant clinical department, depending on the candidate’s background.

The CPDME team is a dynamic and inclusive group that is responsive to the needs of our health care professionals, educators, teachers, learners and leaders. The goal of our faculty and staff is to ultimately deliver education and pursue research that benefits our patient population. In addition to our medical education research unit, the CPDME office oversees accreditation and certification of education sessions, development of large conferences, leads faculty development initiatives across the continuum, and provides an academic detailing service. We also provide a community hospital and clinical webinar program and we have a long standing tradition in the Humanities.

The Medical Education Unit is a core group of social scientists who collaborate locally, nationally, and internationally, to lead critically-oriented research. The incumbent would work closely with these researchers to build, or further develop, a program of research aligned with.

Halifax/Kjipuktuk () is the capital city of Nova Scotia and the educational, cultural and economic hub of Atlantic Canada. We enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, parks, playgrounds, watersports in the summer, snow sports in the winter, a vast number of arts and cultural events, an excellent library system, and a convenient public transit system.

The successful candidate will hold an MD degree or equivalent Medical Doctor degree MBBS, DO) and/or will have completed doctoral level training in a relevant social science discipline education, sociology). Preference will be given to candidates who hold both an MD (equivalent) and a PhD. A strong background in qualitative research methodologies, an excellent knowledge of the theories and approaches that underlie those methods, and a significant scholarly track record in attracting funding and producing high-quality outputs are also required. While clinical credentials are highly valued for this role, this is a research position without direct patient care.

The successful candidate for the Research Chair will be experienced in using the methods and tools of social science to investigate pervasive medical education challenges from a critical perspective, including, but not limited to issues related to admissions, assessment, curriculum, and pedagogy. In particular, individuals with experience in discourse analysis, ethnography, or narrative methodologies are encouraged to apply.

The appointment of a strong social science researcher in the Research Chair position is a critical step in building medical education research capacity. The Research Chair’s program of research is expected to be fully integrated across the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, your curriculum vitae, a two-page description of your research program and future research direction, and the names and contact information of three referees (two of whom must be from academic backgrounds) who may be contacted for references if required. All applications must be submitted via PeopleAdmin.

Review of applications will begin on February 27th, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above.