Post Doctoral Fellows Training

We wish to extend a very warm welcome to all our current and prospective postdoctoral fellows. Postdoctoral trainees play an essential role in the research activities and life of an academic department. You bring with you important knowledge and skills acquired and honed in other institutions and as such represent a rich and diverse resource. Because postdoctoral fellows hail from a diversity of countries and backgrounds they are by nature important cultural ambassadors. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the life of the department and to avail yourself of opportunities to communicate your experience through mentorship, lectureship and social activity.

Dr. Alan Underhill
Associate Chair, Education
Department of Oncology

Prospective Postdoctoral Fellows

  1. Initial appointments must occur within five years from the completion of a doctoral degree or 10 years from the completion of a MD, DDS or equivalent. These time limits may only be extended by the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, due to circumstances requiring an interruption in the PDF's research career (eg. medical necessity or parental responsibilities).

  2. Appointments are for a limited period of time, from a minimum of three months to a maximum of three years, with the possibility of renewal to a maximum total time as a PDF of five years (including previous PDF appointments). For those not holding permanent resident status, extension of the appointment will be subject to immigration approval.

  3. PDFs train under the general supervision of a faculty member(s), as a member of a research group or as an individual researcher, and may assist with the supervision of graduate students.

  4. PDFs may apply in open competition for a faculty position.

With the prior agreement of the supervising faculty member(s), PDFs may undertake teaching responsibilities up to a maximum of one full course per term.
PDFs may be issued time-limited work permits for positions granting a stipend or salary. They are exempt from advance approval from Service Canada under confirmation exemption code C44 of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's FW1 Foreign Worker Manual (pages 22, 23, 43 and 44).

Additional Resources

Find valuable information provided by the Postdoctoral Office related to:

  • Awards & Funding
  • Career Development
  • Postdoctoral Opportunities
  • Postdoctoral Fellows Association

Current postdoctoral fellow job postings can be found at the University of Alberta Careers page.

Current Postdoctoral Fellows