Description
Sessional Instructor:
MDCH 640: Fundamentals of Epidemiology
Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine
Location: Foothills Campus
The
Department of Community Health Sciences within the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a
Fall 2026 Term Sessional Instructor for
MDCH 640: Fundamentals of Epidemiology. The appointment has an assigned teaching workload of 1.0 half-course equivalent.
The successful applicant will design, coordinate, and deliver the graduate-level applied laboratory component of the course. Responsibilities include developing laboratory and assessment materials using Stata and R, delivering in-person laboratory sessions, grading laboratory assignments, providing academic support to students, and working collaboratively with the course instructors and teaching assistants. The successful applicant will also provide input on the integration of the laboratory component with the overall course design, content, learning outcomes, and assessments.
MDCH 640 introduces students to the principles and methods of descriptive and analytic epidemiology. The course emphasizes epidemiologic reasoning, measures of disease frequency and association, study design, random and systematic error, bias, confounding, effect-measure modification, causal judgment, statistical analysis, interpretation, and critical appraisal. The laboratory component provides students with hands-on experience applying epidemiologic concepts through data management and statistical analysis using Stata and R.
The laboratory component supports students in developing the ability to:
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Apply principles and methods of descriptive and analytic epidemiology.
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Manage and analyze epidemiologic data using Stata and R.
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Select and conduct appropriate statistical analyses and interpret the resulting estimates.
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Critically analyze epidemiologic methods, including their appropriateness, strengths, limitations, and implications for interpreting research findings.
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Present and communicate epidemiologic findings accurately and clearly.
Fall 2026 Term Dates: August 24, 2026 - December 24, 2026
Delivery Mode: All course components will be delivered in-person.
Teaching Schedule: Lectures, Tuesdays 9:00 - 11:00, Tutorials, Tuesdays 11:00 - 11:50, and Labs, Thursdays, 9:30 - 11:20
Qualifications: The successful candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of an instructional team. The successful candidate must hold a PhD in epidemiology, public health, population health, community health sciences, or a related field, with specialized training in epidemiology. They must also have demonstrated experience conducting epidemiologic research and teaching epidemiologic methods and applied data analysis at the graduate level, including teaching the use of both Stata and R. Preference will be given to candidates with experience designing and delivering applied epidemiology laboratories, developing instructional and assessment materials, and grading graduate-level applied data-analysis assignments. The successful candidate must also demonstrate proficiency in using D2L Brightspace to organize course materials, administer assessments, manage grades, and communicate with students.
Please apply on-line via the "Apply Now" link. A complete application should be submitted in a
single pdf, and include the following:
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Cover letter
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Current curriculum vitae
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Concise statement of teaching philosophy including fostering an inclusive learning environment
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Please submit names and contact information for three professional references
NOTE: Applicants who have taught as a sessional instructor in the Cumming School of Medicine may choose to only submit a cover letter and current curriculum vitae.
A strong internal candidate has been identified for this position; however, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only those candidates chosen to proceed in the selection process will be contacted.
Questions may be addressed to:
Dr. Gavin McCormack, Professor
Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine
[email protected]
For salary information, please refer to TUCFA's Collective Agreement, Schedule B. As per the Collective Agreement, the Cumming School of Medicine adheres to the right of first refusal terms (Section 23.12.1 and 23.12.2) for Sessional Appointments.
Application Deadline: August 10, 2026
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)
The terms and conditions of this appointment, including salary, are governed by the collective agreement between the Faculty Association of the University of Calgary and the Governors of the University of Calgary. Detailed information is available here.
For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine, click here.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
With a growing urban Indigenous population of approximately 50,000 people, there are several Indigenous organizations and many events and ceremonies taking place in the city throughout the year.
