• Eligibility

Ph.D. or equivalent recently awarded (normally within 5 years). To be eligible for a postdoctoral (PDF) position, you must have completed a Ph.D. from a recognized university or training organization (graduated within the past five (5) years). A clinical fellow (CF) is not required to have a Ph.D. but must hold an M.D. designation from a recognized institution.

• How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly to the potential supervisor. An application consists of a cover letter describing your research interests and future goals, names of three potential referees and a current CV.

Before applying, prospective PDFs are encouraged to identify and contact faculty members who have similar research interests to discuss the possibility of becoming a PDF with his or her research team.

See the scientific faculty currently at the Rotman  and KLAERU, and learn more about how to ensure a good fit between you and a potential supervisor.

• Choosing a Supervisor

The best time for a postdoc to evaluate a potential postdoctoral position is before signing on. It is difficult to adjust the major conditions of an appointment once it is underway. Experienced postdocs and advisers suggest the following questions be asked of (and about) a prospective adviser:

Excerpt from "Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineering, A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies," National Academy Press, Washington, DC. 

2. Compact between Postdoctoral Appointees and their Mentors (December 2006)

This document is intended to initiate discussions about the postdoctoral appointee-mentor relationship and the commitments necessary for a high quality postdoctoral training experience. The Compact was drafted by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Graduate Research, Education, and Training (GREAT) and its Postdoctorate Committee. It is modeled on the AAMC Compact between Resident Physicians and their Teachers.

• What are the adviser's expectations of the postdoc?
• Will the adviser or the postdoc determine the research program?
• How many postdocs has this adviser had?
• Where did they go afterward?
• What do current and past lab members think about their experience?
• Will the adviser have time for mentoring?
• Or should I seek out other mentors?
• How many others (grad students, staff, postdocs) now work for this adviser?
• How many papers are being published?
• Where?
• What is the adviser's policy on travel to meetings?
• Authorship?
• Ownership of ideas?
• Will I have practice in grant writing?
• Teaching/mentoring?
• Oral presentations?
• Review of manuscripts?
• Can I expect to take part of the project away after the postdoc?
• How long is financial support guaranteed? On what does renewal depend?
• Can I count on help in finding a position?
• Will the adviser have adequate research funds to support the proposed research?

• Taxes

In January, the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS) sent a letter to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requesting resolution of the status of academic postdoctoral fellows with respect to income tax. The CRA responded to the letter on May 3, 2010.

• Financial Support for Postdoctoral Research Fellows

This policy applies to Postdoctoral Research Fellows whose primary appointment is in the Research Division at Baycrest. It does not apply Clinical Fellows who may have a secondary cross-appointment in Research.
POLICY

1. PhDs will be compensated in accordance with current Baycrest scales for Postdoctoral Research Fellows, and will also be allowed up to $1,500 annually for conference travel and/or research-related expenses.
2. MDs whose fellowships do not include clinical practice will be compensated at the same level as PhDs.
3. MDs whose fellowships do include clinical practice will be compensated in accordance with current CIHR rates, and will also be allowed up to $1,500 annually for conference travel and/or research-related expenses.
4. PhDs or MDs with their own external funding who have been reviewed and approved as eligible for Baycrest-funded positions will, if their external funding is less than Baycrest rates, be eligible for top-up funds to bring their funding to the level of Baycrest-funded positions, and will also be allowed up to $1,500 annually for conference travel and/or research-related expenses.

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
  
  Research Fellow
  

  A postdoctoral fellowship provides an important stage in the transition from graduate student to independent scholar. Postdoctoral fellows (PDF) are, in essence, trainees who will pursue their research training in an environment that will afford them the opportunity to develop as independent scholars. They are not employees. In light of the transitional nature of their status, postdoctoral fellowships are time-limited and are not ongoing.

           Criteria for Fellowship

• Ph.D. or equivalent recently awarded (normally within 5 years)
• The engagement is temporary
• The engagement involves participating in research on a full-time basis
• The engagement is preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career
• The PDF selection should be done by a process set up by the research unit
• The productivity of the postdoctoral fellow must be evaluated annually

The postdoctoral fellow is not registered in another training program (e.g. clinical post-graduate training)

Term of the Fellowship

   1. The term of engagement is usually a minimum of two years. The maximum term is five years.

•  Extension of the fellowship beyond two years is applicable only for PDFs who have their own funding or are funded by a scientist's grant.
• If the PDF position is linked to a Chair position, the extension can be Baycrest funded, if no external funds are available.
• The Director of the research unit of which the Postdoctoral Fellowship is a part must approve the use of Baycrest funds in cases such as these.

   2. To extend the term of engagement, application must be made in writing, no earlier than six months and no later than three months prior to the end of his/her final year, to the Education Committee of the research unit and copied to the Director of Research Operations.

• The request for an extension must be co-signed by the Scientist who will supervise the PDF.
• The application for the extension must include the following (a copy will be kept on file in the office of the Director of Research Operations):

               1. Accomplishments thus far – completed, current and planned studies;
               2. Outcome of completed studies and any analysis underway;
               3. The funding source of the extension;
               4. Publications in print, in press, under review, planned;
               5. Recent reprints;
               6. An outline of his/her plans to enter into the job market as of the final year.
               7. Any other documentation that would be helpful to the Education Committee in making its decision;
               8. Once the Education Committee has reviewed the request, the decision will be reviewed and endorsed by the Scientists.

• The final decision will be communicated in writing to the supervising scientist, the PDF and the Director of Research Operations. A copy of the decision will be kept on file in the office of the Director of Research Operations.

   3. At the end of the two years (or longer with an approved application for extension) the engagement shall expire, without any further payment obligations by Baycrest, on the date specified in the letter of engagement.

   4. The engagement may be terminated at any time by Baycrest for a material failure to meet the specified standards as evaluated by the review process of the research group.

• The post-doctoral fellow is not entitled to any further payments beyond those earned up to the date of the termination of the engagement.

   5. Early termination of the engagement may also occur if either party provides two months' notice in writing to the other party, and in accordance with Baycrest’s Human Resources policies and procedures.

• Baycrest may provide a payment in lieu of notice equivalent to the stipend that would have been earned over the course of the two months.

 

Conditions for offering a Fellowship

1. The prospective fellow will have a Ph.D. or M.D with an advanced research degree in relevant field to that of the one of scientists within the Rotman Research Institute or the Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied & Evaluative Research Unit.

• The prospective fellow must provide written confirmation, either the diploma or an official letter from the University indicating successful defence of his/her dissertation, or research degree.

 2. All fellowship applications must be submitted to the Chair of the Education Committee for the research unit, either directly by the candidate or by the scientist with whom the candidate may work.

 3. The Education Committee of the appropriate research unit will review the applications.

• In the RRI, the Education Committee makes the decision to offer the position
• in KLARU, this is done by a consensus of the KLARU scientists.

4. If a fellowship is to be offered, the application will be forwarded to the Director, Research Operations for the Memorandum of Engagement to be initiated.

5. The postdoctoral fellow will work with one or more Senior Scientists or Scientists with the focus of research within the research areas of the supervisor(s)

6. Within one month of the start date of the fellowship, the Scientist and the PDF will be required to delineate the expectations of the fellowship in writing.

• The Supervisor(s) will record what he/she will provide in terms of academic development, guidance and feedback
• The PDF will record his/her expectations for the fellowship
• A copy will be included in the PDF's file in the office of the Director, Research Operations.

 

Conduct of the Post-Doctoral Fellows

   1. The conduct of PDF is to be governed by the appropriate policies and procedures of Baycrest and the Research Division.

   2. In the event of a dispute with Baycrest employees, whether the supervisor or others, PDFs have access to a dispute resolution procedure as follows.In the first instance, the Director of the RRI or KLARU should meet with the PDF and the supervisor on an informal basis to endeavour to resolve the dispute.

         a.In the first instance, the Director of the RRI or KLARU should meet with the PDF and the supervisor on an informal basis to endeavour to resolve the dispute.

• A note to the file of the PDF should be made within five business days of the meeting.

         b. If unresolved, the dispute can be submitted by either party in writing to the Vice-President, Research.
         c. If either party is not satisfied with the response, the parties shall arrange mediation by a senior member of Human Resources through the offices of the Director of Research Operations.
         d. If mediation is not successful, there is no appeal or other further step in the dispute resolution process, and Baycrest's decision at that point stands.

All students need to register with the Research Training Centre (RTC).  If you have any questions about the documents required, please contact Dr. Lisa Goos, 416 785 2500 x2279.

1. Registration Form: all graduate students will be required to complete a Registration Form on or prior to their first day at Baycrest.
2. Baycrest ID badges are provided by Human Resources. This ID badge must be worn at all times while in the hospital, and will provide daytime and after-hours access to research spaces.

The tuition fee for graduate programs varies according to the program. The total fee is normally an annual fee covering a full academic year and includes both the academic fees plus incidental/ancillary fees.

A comprehensive listing of tuition fees and sources of funding for graduate students is provided on the U of T School of Graduate Studies Graduate Awards Web site.

If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, the offer of a PDF position would be contingent upon obtaining a valid work permit, required under Canadian Law. Please contact the Canadian Consulate in your home country for instructions on how to process your application.

When you get here

All students training at the Rotman Research Institute or KLAERU need to register with the Research Training Centre (RTC). Please contact Dr. Lisa Goos, 416 785 2500 x2279, with questions.

The supervising Scientist and the trainee will be required to delineate the expectations of the fellowship in writing. The Supervisor(s) will record what he/she will provide in terms of academic development, guidance and feedback. The PDF will record his/her expectations for the fellowship. A copy will be included in the post-doctoral fellow''s file in the office of the Director, Research Operations.

International trainees must obtain a work permit (or student study permit) to legally enter the country. Obtaining these documents is the responsibility of the trainee. Ensure that you apply for the proper entry permit before arriving in Canada. Do not arrive in Canada with a visitor’s visa!!! To obtain the correct permit, you must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). You must apply for the permit in the country of origin.

To work in Canada, even temporarily, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required. The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number used for administration by the Canadian government. You require a SIN to work and to receive government benefits in Canada. To apply, you need to complete an application form and provide proof of your identity and status in Canada. This will require a passport with employment authorization or student visa; a letter from your employer is useful. Information forms and instructions are available on the Service Canada website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. The Service Canada location closest to Baycrest is at Lawrence Square Plaza (700 Lawrence Ave West, Toronto, M6A 3B4). You may also find other Service Canada locations closer to your home.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers all essential diagnostic and treatment services provided by licensed practitioners in Ontario. International Research Fellows who will be engaged in research activities for 12 months or more will be eligible for OHIP coverage (more information below). However, there is a non-negotiable, three month waiting period for OHIP eligibility and coverage does not extend to family members. Therefore, all new international Research Fellows must enrol in OHIP replacement coverage upon arrival in Canada. OHIP replacement coverage is provided by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). * Research Fellows on short term engagements of 12 months or less are required to purchase OHIP replacement coverage for the full duration of their engagement. * Research Fellows with engagements of 12 months or more are required to purchase OHIP replacement coverage for the first three months of their engagement. * Replacement coverage must be purchased for the full duration of residency for all other family members. OHIP Following a three month waiting period, international Research Fellows holding a work permit and contracted to provide research/teaching activities for 12 months or more are eligible for coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Family members (spouse, partner and/or children) are NOT covered by OHIP unless the employer’s letter of engagement indicates you will be staying for three years. To register with OHIP, you will need to complete a Registration for Ontario Health Coverage form, and provide original documents verifying your identity, immigration status and your residency in Ontario (e.g. any document with name and Ontario address, such as a utility bill). Information forms and instructions are available on the Service Ontario website at www.serviceontario.gov.on.ca. The Service Ontario locations closest to Baycrest are listed below. You may also find other Service Ontario locations closer to your home. * 4400 Dufferin Street, Unit A4-A5, M3H 6A6 (first light south of Finch Ave.) * 47 Sheppard Avenue East, 4th Floor, M2N 7E7 (south side of Sheppard Ave., half block east of Yonge Street) * 777 Bay Street, Suite M212, M5G 2C8

You must open a bank account that will be used by payroll to deposit your pay. You will need your SIN and/or passport with work permit and proof of address. * Citizenship and Immigration Canada Information on Banks and Financial Institutions Major Banks and Financial Institutions in Ontario: * Bank of Montreal * Scotiabank * CIBC * Royal Bank * TD Canada Trust

At the time of application, students must be in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an undergraduate degree program. Students in medical school may also apply. Students registered in a Master’s or PhD program are not eligible for summer studentships.

Terms of Summer Program 

• Students will usually be expected work full-time hours (35 hours per week)
• Students will usually be expected to complete a full 12 week term. 
• Students will be paid a minimum of $4,410.00 for a three (3) month period.
• Students will be required to work on a project assigned to them by their respective supervisors.

Complete this application form (enabled from January 1 to March 30). The following documents will be required in plain text format:

• An up-to-date resume or CV, including permanent and sessional addresses and the name and contact information of two referees (academic preferred).
• A cover letter which includes the area of research you are interested in and the Scientist(s) with whom you would like to work.
• Current transcripts or grade reports (unofficial or 'issued to student' versions accepted).

Selections will be made on an ongoing basis, so apply as early as possible. Only ONE online submission is required. Most hiring decisions will be made by April 15 of the given year. However, due to the volume of applications received, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.