Post-doctoral Fellows

A postdoctoral fellowship provides an important stage in the transition from graduate student to independent scholar. In collaboration with a supervising Baycrest scientist, a postdoctoral fellow engages in activities that will further his or her professional development. At Baycrest, postdoctoral fellows are considered employees. However, in light of the transitional nature of their status, postdoctoral fellowships are time-limited and are not ongoing. Find out more about how you can train with one of Baycrest's scientists below.

• How to become a postdoctoral fellow at Baycrest
  Eligibility

  Individuals applying to be a postdoctoral fellow at Baycrest must have completed a PhD from a recognized university or training organization (graduated within the past five (5) years). A clinical fellow is not required to have a PhD but must hold an MD designation from a recognized institution.

  How to Apply

  Before applying, prospective postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to identify and contact Baycrest scientists who have similar research interests to discuss the possibility of joining their research team.
  
  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.
  
  Learn more about the scientists at the RRI. 
• Supervision
  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:

  The following questions are 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?
  • 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?
• Policies
  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 $750 annually for conference travel.
  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 $750 annually for conference travel.
  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 $750 annually for conference travel.

  
  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, contract employees who are receiving further training to enable them to pursue their research in an environment that will afford them the opportunity to develop as independent scholars. 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 fellowship is temporary
  • The fellowship involves participating in research on a full-time basis
  • The fellowship 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 at the six-month interval, and thereafter, 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 that is funded by Baycrest 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 Managing Director, Rotman Research must approve the use of Baycrest funds in cases such as these.

  
  2. 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.
  
  3. 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.

  
  4. Early termination of the position may also occur if either party provides two weeks’ 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 weeks.

  
  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.

  • 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. Within six months of the start date of the fellowship, the Scientist is required to conduct a review, in writing, to ensure the PDF is meeting  expectations .

Information for International Students

People come from all over the world for research training at Baycrest, and Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. The information below is intended to provide information for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows coming to Baycrest from outside of Canada.

More information for international trainees

• University of Toronto International Student Website
• The University of Toronto International Student Union
• The City of Toronto Immigration & Settlement Portal

• International Research Fellows

  If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the offer of a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position is 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.  You will receive instructions from the Director, Research information of the requirements to obtain the work permit.

• Social Insurance Number
  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. 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.
• Health Insurance
  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).
  
  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
• Banking
  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