APPLY for 2026

Join us in the 2026 Executive Team!

Are you interested in being involved in Medical Genetics academic and social activities? Join the MGGSA! In this upcoming year we have 9 open positions (for more details on each position, see the bottom of this page):

  • Junior September Welcome Chair
  • Junior Research Day Chair
  • Events Chair x2
  • Director of Communications – Social Media
  • Director of Communications – Graphic Design
  • Junior Finance Chair
  • Genetic Counselling year 1representative x2

If you are interested in applying, send an email to us (medg.gsa@ubc.ca) with the following included:

  • Your full name, graduate program, year of study, and the name of your research supervisor(s)
  • A one-page Resume/CV
  • The MGGSA position(s) that you would like to apply for (if multiple, rank your choices, with 1 being your most favoured role). You can ask to be considered for up to three positions.
  • The reason for your interest in each position you are applying for and a brief (two sentence) statement of your experience relevant to each sought-after position.


The deadline for applications is Friday, December 13, 2025. If there are multiple people interested in the same role, the MGGSA will circulate an electronic election form with the candidates’ statements. The results of an eventual election will be posted before the new year.

All MGGSA executive committee members are required to attend monthly meetings (these generally take place weekdays 4-5PM, virtually). Positions require a minimum 2 year commitment with the exception of genetic counselling representatives which require a minimum 1 year commitment. There is a possibility of switching to a new role after 1 year depending on position availability.


As a reminder, the goal of the MGGSA is to improve the community and sense of belonging in our department, achieved through regular social activities. If you would like the opportunity to help improve the association, coordinate fun and informative events, and have the opportunity to network well with the department, please consider applying!

DETAILS ON AVAILABLE POSITIONS:

JUNIOR CHAIR OF SEPTEMBER WELCOME

The MGGSA is seeking highly motivated applicants for a 2-year leadership role in organizing the 2025 & 2026 Medical Genetics September Welcome events. The successful applicant will work with the Senior Chair of September Welcome to organize the 2025 event and will act as the Senior Chair for the 2026 event. The Junior Chair is expected to work with the Senior Chair to plan the entirety of September Welcome and ensure its efficient execution. The Senior Chair will provide guidance throughout the planning process and ensure that the Junior Chair has the resources to take over the planning as the Senior Chair for the 2026 event.

Responsibilities include:

  • Coordinating event date and agenda for the day
  • Coordinating room bookings for presentations and social event
  • Arranging catering
  • Managing invoices from caterers
  • Applying for a liquor license and special events permit (Serving it Right certification)
  • Finding and contacting faculty speakers
  • Planning and organizing the social fair
  • Creating and following a budget (working with the Director of Finances)
  • Communicating all progress and plans to the program coordinators – the Grad Advisor (currently Dr. Stefan Taubert) and Azin Zeinali
  • Obtaining introductions and pictures from incoming students
  • Finding and coordinating volunteers to help with the various tasks on day of event
  • Preparing feedback surveys for after the event as the Senior Chair in the second year (2026) Training and working with the next Junior Chair of September Welcome.

Application requirements include:

  • Enrolment in a Medical Genetics graduate program (MSc, PhD or GC).
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Prior experience working with a student society or in a similar leadership role or in event planning is strongly encouraged.

JUNIOR CHAIR OF RESEARCH DAY

The Medical Genetics Graduate Students’ Association (MGGSA) is a non-profit, student-directed organization affiliated with the UBC GSS. The main objective of the MGGSA is to plan and implement academic and social events for the students and faculty of Medical Genetics at UBC. The MGGSA is seeking highly motivated applicants for a 2-year leadership role in organizing the 2025 & 2026 Medical Genetics Research Day events. The successful applicant will work with the Senior Chairs of Research Day to organize the 2025 event and act as the Senior Chair for the 2026 event. This role provides graduate students with great leadership experience, an opportunity to network with faculty and invited speakers and looks great on scholarship applications.

Responsibilities include:

  • Booking seminar rooms for presentations
  • Arranging catering and managing invoices from catering
  • Applying for a liquor license and special events permit
  • Serving it Right certification
  • Finding faculty speakers
  • Organizing and managing a committee for TA Awards
  • Organizing the awards ceremony (coordinating with MEDG staff and faculty)
  • Purchasing – food, drinks, decorations, name-tags, etc.
  • Finding and coordinating volunteers for the committee and for the day of the event
  • Preparing introductions and writing thank you cards for speakers
  • Preparing feedback surveys
  • Coordinating event date and programming
  • Arranging custodial services and security
  • Finding a keynote speaker, arranging their accommodations, schedule and managing travel expenses
  • Recruiting and training a new Co-Chair

Application requirements include:

  • Enrolment in a Medical Genetics graduate program (MSc, PhD or GC)
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Prior experience working with a student society or in a similar leadership role is strongly encouraged

EVENTS CHAIR

The MGGSA is seeking highly motivated applicants for a 2-year leadership role in organizing regular social events for Medical Genetics students in 2025/2026. Events Chairs are responsible for social events that facilitate connections between students in the Department of Medical Genetics.


Responsibilities include:

  • Planning the Graduation celebration event in late April/early May which involves:
    • Planning the format of the event and booking all the rooms and catering
    • Coordinating with the Department to obtain a list of all graduating students
    • Securing a Department speaker to congratulate the students
    • Sending invitations to all graduating students and supervisors
    • Coordinating speeches made by supervisors of graduating students
  • Planning the welcome beach/picnic day in late August/early September
  • Planning a minimum of three social events throughout the year, in months when a major MGGSA event (e.g. September Welcome or Research Day) is not scheduled. Examples include:
    • Trivia or board game nights, movie nights
    • Picnics, hikes, and other outdoor activities
    • Outings to restaurants, cafes, etc.
    • This may include collaborations with other student groups
  • Working with finance chair to create a budget for each event and submit it to relevant funding sources, e.g. the GSS
  • Communicating event details to Azin Zeinali for inclusion in the Friday email
  • Coordinating room bookings, and organizing catering when relevant
  • Communicating needs to the MGGSA Executive Committee and delegating tasks when appropriate
  • Circulating feedback forms and other surveys to ensure events are inclusive of all interested MGGSA members


Application requirements include:

  • Enrolment in a Medical Genetics graduate program (MSc in MEDG or GECN, or PhD)
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Prior experience in event planning is appreciated but not required

COMMUNICATIONS – SOCIAL MEDIA

The MGGSA is seeking highly motivated applicants for a 2-year leadership role in managing
the social media presence and website of the MGGSA.

Responsibilities include:

  • Manage the MGGSA Twitter/X and Instagram account
  • Manage MGGSA email communications
  • Maintain and update the MGGSA website
  • Advertise Events, September Welcome, and Research Day via email, twitter, instagram, and website updates
  • Advertise Events on the Medical Genetics Department Website
  • Coordinate with the Medical Genetics Graduate Program coordinator in disseminating event registration details
  • Take minutes at MGGSA monthly meetings
  • Advertise available MGGSA positions once a year

Application Requirements include:

  • Enrolment in a Medical Genetics graduate program (MSc, PhD or GC)
  • Experience with website design (WordPress) is an asset but not mandatory
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Prior experience working with a student society or in a similar leadership role is strongly encouraged

COMMUNICATIONS – GRAPHIC DESIGN

The MGGSA is seeking highly motivated applicants for a 2-year leadership role in managing
the graphic design of apparel, posters, and website.

Responsibilities include:

  • Create graphics (posters, slides, etc.) for all MGGSA events, working closely with the Research Day, September Welcome, and Events Chairs to get details on graphic design and work with MGGSA Director of Communications (Social Media) to disseminate MGGSA events
  • Create a sponsorship package for Research Day which will be given to potential industry sponsors
  • Coordinate and plan merchandise
    • Mock-up designs for MGGSA merchandise
    • Coordinate with vendors and Directors of Finance to organize product procurement and sales
  • Take minutes at MGGSA monthly meetings

Application requirements include:

  • Enrolment in a Medical Genetics graduate program (MSc, PhD or GC)
  • Experience with graphic design (Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop)
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Prior experience working with a student society or in a similar leadership role is strongly encouraged

FINANCE CHAIR

The MGGSA is seeking highly motivated applicants for a 2-year leadership role in managing and directing the finances of the MGGSA.

Responsibilities include:

  • Managing the budget for all the MGGSA social and scientific events (Research Day
    and social gatherings)
  • Fundraising for Research Day, September Welcome, and all other MGGSA events (GSS and non-GSS funded)
  • Collecting and submitting the refunds for GSS-sponsored events (e.g. beach day and grad event)
  • Managing budgets for fundraising and merchandising efforts
  • Managing and tracking funds in the MGGSA bank account

Application requirements include:

  • Enrolment in a Medical Genetics graduate program (MSc, PhD or GC)
  • Experience with fundraising and budget for small- or large-scale efforts is encouraged
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Prior experience working with a student society or in a similar leadership role is strongly encouraged

GENETIC COUNSELLING REPRESENTATIVES


The MGGSA is seeking 2 highly motivated applicants for a 1-year leadership role acting within the MGGSA executive committee as a liaison between students in the GECN program and the MGGSA.


Responsibilities include:

  • Coordinate with the MGGSA Executive Committee to help ensure that events and initiatives are inclusive of GECN students
  • Attending MGGSA monthly meetings whenever possible
  • Engage with the MGGSA Slack group when possible
  • Share information about GECN class schedules, approximate practicum dates, etc. with
    the MGGSA when needed, and share input on MGGSA event planning when requested


Application requirements include:

  • Enrolment in the Medical Genetics GECN graduate program