Postdoctoral Researcher

Psychedelic Alpha; Peel Parish; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

McGill University’s Department of Social Studies of Medicine invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to examine politically charged topics in medicine at the intersection of medicine, media, and politics. The role emphasizes patient/community perspectives, epistemic justice, and the role of values in health research.

The incumbent will join a unionized postdoc unit and hold dual status as student and McGill employee, contributing to ongoing research initiatives and mentoring students.

Qualifications

• PhD required and completed prior to appointment start date (Jan 1, 2027).
• Demonstrated research expertise in social, ethical, cultural, political, or historical health dimensions.
• Strong scholarly record relative to career stage (publications, presentations).
• Experience with qualitative, ethnographic, interpretive, historical, philosophical, or mixed-methods research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an independent research program on politically contested medicine topics.
• Design and conduct qualitative or interdisciplinary studies at medicine, media, and society intersections.
• Collaborate with supervisors and researchers on ongoing projects.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate methods.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and other outputs (books/chapters/reports).
• Present findings at conferences and public events.
• Contribute to seminars, reading groups, and collaborative activities.
• Engage with patient communities and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Support knowledge mobilization and disseminate findings to academic and public audiences.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers where opportunities arise.

Skills

Independent researcher

Excellent communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Qualitative/mixed-methods

Education

PhD in Anthropology or related field

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Department of Social Studies of Medicine invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position examining politically charged topics in medicine. This research opportunity explores how contestations emerge and unfold at the intersections of medicine, media, and politics, contributing to theoretical discussions related to expertise, the production of health knowledge, cultural conceptions of the body, and the moral responsibilities of researchers.

We are particularly interested in candidates whose work engages with the perspectives and experiences of patients and communities navigating politically contested areas of healthcare and shifting institutional landscapes. Applicants may also explore questions related to epistemic injustice, knowledge production, and the role of values in medical research and practice.

Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Trans health care
• Psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Race and medicine
• Reproductive care
• Alternative medicines
• Other politically contested areas of health and medicine

This position is unionized, and the incumbent will hold dual status as both a student and a McGill employee, and as a member of the AMURE (Postdocs) bargaining unit.

For interested applicants, you must include: 1) a cover letter that includes a description of current research, future plans for research, and interest in the position; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) one sample of scholarly writing (a published article, unpublished paper or chapter); and 4) the names of three referees to provide letters upon request. Applicants who do not have a completed PhD at the time of application must include a letter from the Department Chair specifying the date of the dissertation defence. Please upload them all to Workday when you apply.

Please note: Candidate eligibility to hold a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship expires 5 years after the date on which their PhD was awarded, regardless of when they are hired. Refer to the following link for further information on eligibility criteria: Eligibility | Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - McGill University

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and lead an innovative, independent research program focused on politically contested issues in medicine, health care, and health knowledge production.
• Design and conduct qualitative, ethnographic, historical, philosophical, sociological, or interdisciplinary research projects examining the intersections of medicine, media, politics, and society.
• Collaborate with faculty supervisors and other researchers within the Department of Social Studies of Medicine on ongoing research initiatives and grant-funded projects.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret research data using appropriate methodological and theoretical approaches.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to other scholarly outputs, including book chapters, reports, and policy-oriented publications.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences, workshops, seminars, and public-facing events.
• Contribute to the intellectual and research environment of the Department through active participation in seminars, reading groups, workshops, and collaborative activities.
• Engage with relevant patient communities, advocacy groups, healthcare practitioners, and other stakeholders, where appropriate to the research program.
• Support knowledge mobilization activities and contribute to the dissemination of research findings to academic, policy, and public audiences.
• Assist in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students involved in related research projects, as opportunities arise.

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy, Science and Technology Studies (STS), Health Humanities, Social Studies of Medicine, Public Health, or a closely related discipline. The PhD must be completed prior to the appointment start date of January 1, 2027.
• Demonstrated research expertise in the social, ethical, cultural, political, or historical dimensions of health, medicine, science, or technology.
• Strong record of scholarly achievement relative to career stage, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or other research outputs.
• Experience conducting independent research using qualitative, ethnographic, interpretive, historical, philosophical, or mixed-methods approaches.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.

Hiring Unit:

Department of Social Studies of Medicine

Number of Positions:

1

Supervisor:

Professor Sahar Sadjadi & Professor Phoebe Friesen

Total Hours Per Week:

35

Salary:

$55,000/year

Planned Start and End Date:

January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2028

Location:

3647 Peel

Connaissance du français et de l'anglais: L'Université McGill est une université de langue anglaise où les tâches quotidiennes peuvent nécessiter une communication verbale et écrite en anglais. Le niveau d’anglais requis pour ce poste a été déterminé comme étant de niveau #4 (qualificatif) sur une échelle de 0-4.

In accordance with Canadian and Quebec law, the present offer is conditional upon your obtaining the appropriate work authorization from any or all of the following as applicable: Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Immigration Quebec and Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).