Sessional Lecturer - MMG3004Y: Communication of Genetic Information

Job Field: CUPE 3902 Unit 3

Faculty / Division: Faculty of Medicine

Department: Molecular Genetics

Campus: St. George (downtown Toronto)

Job Posting: June 17, 2026

Job Closing: July 13, 2026, 11:59pm EST

Course number and title: MMG3004Y: Communication of Genetic Information

Course description:

This one-term graduate course is offered within the MHSc Medical Genomics program, and is restricted to students enrolled in that program. This course teaches students the terminology and jargon relevant to genomic research to enable access to medical and scientific literature, and how to translate it for specific contexts and audiences. In addition, students are trained to effectively and bi-directionally translate clinical information into accessible language.

Concepts include but not limited to:

· Effective science communication

· Visual communication

· Writing of genetic test reports

· Direct-to-consumer genetic testing and communication

· Communication in a professional environment

· Journalism and entrepreneurship

· Artificial intelligence in genetic analysis and communication

Estimated TA support: 28 TA hours

Estimated course enrolment: 22 students

Class schedule: Wednesday and Fridays (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

Sessional dates of appointment: September 1, 2026 to December 15, 2026. Some coordination of guest speakers will take place in summer 2026 to schedule fall sessions.

Salary: $19,994.95 for Sessional Lecturer I; $21,398.43 for Sessional Lecturer I Long Term;

$21,398.43 for Sessional Lecturer II; $21,907.92 for Sessional Lecturer III, inclusive of vacation pay

Please note that should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Qualifications:

The applicant should be acquainted with concepts in Medical Genetics, including variant interpretation. The applicant should also be experienced with science communication and communication with a lay audience. Previous teaching experience is desirable but not required.

Description of duties:

The course is structured as a twice weekly three-hour lecture & activity session each Monday and Friday mornings, from 9:00am-12:00pm throughout the semester. Many sessions have a guest lecture component, and contain group activities and case studies. The instructor is expected to attend all sessions, coordinate with guest speakers, prepare for the lecture beforehand based on existing lecture content and assignments, to answer student questions, and grade assignments. The approximate time commitment is 12 hours per week.

The course has been taught for 7 years. The successful applicant will be working with the course materials of the professor who previously taught this course and will have the support of the previous course instructor, program director and a teaching assistant from the previous year. A complete course syllabus, course slides, assignments and answer keys / rubrics, and other critical components have already been designed and used successfully. Minimal modification of these materials may be required to update them for use this year.

Application Procedure:

Applications should include a single PDF with the following components in this order: 1) the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 application form, available at: http://forms.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/#employment; 2) a cover letter; and 3) a CV that includes evidence of expertise in medical genetics and communication, as well as the name(s) of one or more qualified referees.

Please submit the applications electronically to:

Dr. Timothy Hughes

Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular Genetics

mogen.chair@utoronto.ca

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.