Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine

Dept of Family Medicine - Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University

Position Profile: The Department of Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, is inviting applications for the Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine. The Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine was established to honour Dr. McWhinney who was the first Professor of Family Medicine in Canada and the first Chair of the Department of Family Medicine. As one of the best-resourced Chairs within the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry portfolio, this Endowed Chair offers the successful candidate exceptional opportunity to build a thriving research program in Family Medicine. The successful candidate will be appointed to the Department of Family Medicine with a potential joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics or cross appointment(s) in other relevant departments.

Academic and Clinical Expectations: A successful candidate with an MD or equivalent and eligible to practice medicine in Ontario will be considered for Limited Term Clinical Academic appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate, or a Continuing Clinical Academic appointment at the rank of Associate or Professor based on their experience, academic record, and stage of career progression.

A successful candidate who is not eligible to practice medicine in Ontario and holds a PhD and MD or equivalent will hold a Tenured appointment at the rank of Associate or Professor based on their experience, academic record, and stage of career progression.

This is research-intensive position with significant protected time for research, therefore the successful candidate may or may not be a practicing physician, although ideally would have some engagement in family practice. The Chairholder will be committed to academic activity and program development within family medicine research. The Chairholder will also have education (undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate) and administrative duties and expectations as determined by the Department(s) and aligned with clinical (as applicable) and research interests of the successful candidate. If the chairholder is a practicing family physician, clinical work and learner supervision, aligned with their interests, will be expected.

Qualifications: Candidates holding an MD or equivalent must have a robust research program that also provides sufficient time to practise as a family physician and also hold certification, or be eligible for certification, from the College of Family Physicians of Canada and be eligible for licensure in the Province of Ontario. A candidate holding a relevant Master’s or PhD degree is preferred.

For candidates holding an MD or equivalent and not eligible to practice medicine in Ontario, a relevant PhD is required.

Any successful candidate will have at least 5 years experience as an independent scientist or researcher with a well-established research program. The chairholder will be expected to have an excellent publication record and documented success at securing internal and external research grant support. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated excellence in Family Medicine, Primary Care, Medical Education, and/or Health Services Research with long-term engagement with family medicine and/or primary care.

Compensation Details: The Chair appointment is for a five-year period, with a high probability of renewal for one additional term pending review recommendation. Compensation will be commensurate with appointment type, qualifications and experience. This endowed chair has substantial resources that allows for significant salary/benefits and research support for the successful candidate.

If the successful candidate is an MD appointed as a Clinical Academic their compensation will be based on qualifications and experience and will be composed primarily of the following sources: clinical income, alternative funding plan, and/or salary support.

If the successful candidate holds a PhD and MD and is appointed to a Tenured appointment, the salary range for this position will be $160,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Affirmation Policy Statement: Western, like many postsecondary institutions in Canada, is moving beyond sole reliance upon Indigenous self-identification in its hiring processes. This is to safeguard against the use of incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in circumstances in which a candidate has made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership. Candidates who are invited for an interview or who are short-listed, and who have made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership for material advantage at Western, including where required or preferred for the position, will be asked to have their declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership affirmed through a relational accountability process, led by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), that is consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation processes: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/. The policy can be viewed at: POLICY 1.58 - Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University

To apply: Interested candidates should send a letter of intent that includes a) an overview of past research and description of proposed research plan, b) plan to build collaborations, networks, and knowledge translation locally and beyond, c) history and commitment to mentorship, d) statement on commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, along with a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three referees. Please complete, sign and include the appropriate form from the following links:

If practicing MD: http://uwo.ca/facultyrelations/physicians/Application_FullTime_Clinical.pdf

or

If candidate holds a PhD and MD: http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/careers/full-time-application-form-new.pdf

to:

Committee Co-Chairs, Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine 
Scott McKay, MD, CCFP(COE) FCFP
Dale Laird, PhD, FCAHS
Linda Gough via e-mail: lgough4@uwo.ca

Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
1465 Richmond St.
London, Ontario CANADA N6G 2M1

Applications should be compiled into a single PDF prior to submission.

View more about the position here.

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posting expires September 16, 2026