Fellowship information
A Research Fellow is an individual training in research within six years of completion of his/her doctoral or highest medical degree.
Position, Salary and Benefits
- A full-time fixed-term training position of Research Fellow in the Research Program Name at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
- Annual salary: minimum $36,750.00 from source agreed upon with supervisor (e.g. supervisor's grant, Restracomp, external award)*
- Two weeks paid vacation per year.
- Research fellows on the SickKids payroll system are eligible to participate in the Hospital Dental and Extended Health Benefit Plan. The benefit deductions will be deducted from your pay. Benefit coverage will be effective at the beginning of the month following a three month waiting period. Please inform Human Resources of your plan choice within 30 days from your date of hire or you will automatically be enrolled in the minimum level of benefit coverage.
- If you are a Research Fellow with your own funding and will not be set up on our payroll system, we are not able to make payroll deductions for benefits. In order to enrol in a benefits plan, you can look into an individual plan through an insurance carrier.
Terms of Research Fellowship
A Research Fellowship appointment with SickKids is based on scientific research. Any additional activities or clinical duties (patient contact) should be discussed with your supervisor and the appropriate clinical Program Head.
Employment is for an initial, specified fixed term. The maximum term under the appointment of Research Fellow is six years post-PhD or highest medical degree, unless allowed by funding agency or unless interruptions in career have occurred. Should funding continue to be available, this term may be renewed for a further period upon our mutual agreement. Fellows are encouraged to apply for external funding during your appointment.
Objectives of the research program, individual objectives and supervisor's expectations will be discussed. Performance will be evaluated against these objectives following a six month probationary period. Speak to your supervisor during this time, should you have any questions or concerns. Performance will be evaluated annually thereafter, and the Research Training Centre (RTC) will provide an assessment form to facilitate this process.
Research Training Centre
Upon hire, please ensure that you are registered with the RTC.
Services you may access through the RTC:
- Research Fellowships awarded biannually on a competitive basis
- Career development seminars
- Mandatory laboratory safety seminars
- Conflict Management Services
Upon departure you will be awarded a certificate of completion of your research training and membership to the alumni association .
International Research Fellows
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, an offer would be contingent upon the issuing of the Employment Authorization ("Work Visa"), which you require under Canadian Law. We have been advised by the Canada Employment Centre that your position may be "Validation Exempt". Please contact the Canadian Consulate for instructions on how to process your application.
International Research Fellows who are not eligible to receive OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) will be eligible to purchase OHIP-replacement coverage.
Additional details and resources for anyone arriving from outside Canada are available in the International Trainees section.
Memorandum of Understanding
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to be completed in place of an offer letter by all prospective research fellows to SickKids. This document must be signed by both the fellow and supervisor, and returned with a completed RTC Registry Form, upon commencement of fellowship training.
By signing the MOU, a research fellow agrees that he/she is responsible to familiarize himself/herself with, and abide by, all Research Institute policies, upon commencement of their fellowship
Certificate of Completion
Are you a research fellow who has almost completed your research training at SickKids?
To receive a Certificate of Completion to honour your position at the hospital, the following criteria must be met.
- Requests for certificates must be made by the trainee's supervisor by contacting the RTC.
- The trainee must be at SickKids for at least one year.
- The trainee must present the RTC with an alumni form which can be downloaded from the following link.
- Alumni Registry form [Acrobat file]