Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Department of

**Description**

The Honorable David Onley was the 28th lieutenant-governor of Ontario. He was a disability advocate, a champion for inclusive employment and a former broadcast journalist. Onley established accessibility as the overarching theme of his mandate, which he defined as that which enables people to achieve their full potential.

This award will be given to a researcher who embodies the values espoused by The Honorable David Onley. The recipient of the award will conduct research on projects that advance workplace capacity for recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, mentorship and advancement of persons with disabilities, across the full range of employment opportunities.

“Like my late husband David, what’s most important to me is to put knowledge into action,” states Ruth Ann Onley. “It’s so urgent for workplaces in Canada to become fully inclusive. I have high hopes that this postdoctoral position will contribute to the vital work that David dedicated his life to.”
- Conditions of the appointment:_
- The award is for up to two years (i.e., one year with the possibility of a one-year renewal). If the award is terminated during its course, the award will be prorated.
- The award currently stands at approximately $65,000 CDN per annum, plus a benefit package and conference travel support. Only one award is awarded.

**Qualifications**:

- Applicants must have completed a PhD (or equivalent) at the time they begin the fellowship, in one or more fields within the social sciences and have a strong quantitative and statistical background.
- Applicants must have knowledge in applied economics, particularly in economic evaluation.
- Applicants must be within five (5) years of completion of their PhD, have held no more than one other postdoctoral fellowship (or equivalent), and have not held another academic job as an independent investigator (e.g., assistant professorship).
- Applicants should have an interest in approaching research questions from a multi-/trans-disciplinary perspective.
- Applicants should have an interest in working closely with stakeholders and embracing a co-design approach in their research.
- Applicants cannot hold another major salary award in addition to the David C. Onley Postdoctoral Research Award.

**To Apply**:

- Cover letter and curriculum vitae.
- Copies of transcript of academic records (graduate, complete with description of grading scale employed). Official transcripts are not required.
- Abstract of the postdoctoral research proposal (maximum 250 words).
- A statement of the applicant's planned program of research to be conducted during the term of the fellowship (maximum three pages). The statement should be written by the applicant and should include the scientific and career benefits expected to be derived from the research and its relevance to the mission of IDEA.

**Evaluation process and notification of award**:
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of IDEA senior staff and evaluated based on scientific merit, potential innovativeness, feasibility of proposal and alignment with IDEA’s mission and vision.

**Enquiries**:
If you have any questions, please contact:
Sabrina Chaudhry
National Manager, Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA)

**About the award sponsors**:
IDEA is a social innovation laboratory focused on helping create stronger and more diverse labour markets that include persons with disabilities, through knowledge to practice. IDEA develops evidence-informed tools and resources through co-design with partners that help advance workplace capacity for inclusive employment. The initiative is funded by the New Frontiers in Research Transformation Stream program for a period of six years. Dr. Emile Tompa, senior scientist at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), is executive director of IDEA. Dr. Tompa is also an Associate Professor at McMaster University.

ODEN is a professional network of employment service providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. It has over 140 member agencies, all in the business of helping people who have a disability get into the workforce. Members are from every corner of Ontario and support people of all disability types. ODEN has connections with organizations in most provinces and territories of Canada.

**Employment Equity Statement**:
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

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