2026 Ward Summer Research Student

**Status**: Temporary Full Time (1.00 FTE)

**Compensation**: $17.60/hr

**Start Date**:May 4, 2026

**End Date**:July 24, 2026

**Lab**: Autism Research Centre (ACCEPT Lab)

**Supervisor**: Dr. Melanie Penner

**Program**: Bloorview Research Institute

Join us in building a world of possibility for children with neurodevelopmental differences and disabilities

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has ranked amongst Canada’s top 40 research hospitals for more than a decade. Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers, Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures. We offer an inspiring, inclusive, innovative, and collaborative work environment with competitive compensation and benefit packages and programs that support ongoing learning and professional growth.

The Bloorview Research Institute (BRI), embedded within the hospital, is the only university-affiliated research institute in Canada dedicated to pediatric disability, and one of very few around the world. BRI’s vision is to be a global leader in transformative, equity-driven research dedicated to enabling personalized versions of a good life across the lifespan, for all individuals with childhood onset disabilities, acquired injuries and developmental differences, their families and communities.

**Description**

The student will be a member of the Autism Research Centre - an interdisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians focused on supporting autistic children/youth and their families. While there will be the opportunity to work on a few different projects over the summer term, the student will specifically assist with the qualitative analysis of child/youth interviews of those who have received care through the Extensive Needs Service (ENS). ENS is a program that provides vital wrap-around services for children and youth with urgent and extensive needs in Ontario who have co-occurring urgent medical, physical and developmental complexities and/or social vulnerabilities.

The Bloorview Research Institute is pleased to launch **SOAR** (Sparking student Opportunities for Advancing inclusive childhood disability Research) in partnership with the Community of Support-Research Application Support Initiative (COS-RASI). SOAR aims to provide students experiencing structural disadvantages based on their identities, socioeconomic backgrounds and lived experience with research and mentorship opportunities as part of the Ward Family Summer Student Research Program. Eligible students include but are not limited to those who identify as as Indigenous, Black, Filipino, Latin American, socioeconomically disadvantaged, non-traditional learners or who self-identify with having a disability. Applications for **SOAR** positions are submitted _separately_. Please click here for more details on how to apply.

**Compensation Details**

The program runs for 12 weeks from May 4, 2026 - July 24, 2026. Students will be paid $17.60 per hour based on a 37.5 hour week (full-time), less statutory deductions, including 4% in lieu of vacation and relevant statutory holiday pay. Students will be paid biweekly through payroll.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Analysis of qualitative interview data
- General administrative and clerical functions to support projects
- Additional duties assigned as required

**Qualifications**
- Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with minimum GPA of 3.7 or higher in last two years of study (required)
- Able to utilize skills learned in academic studies in this position
- Able to communicate effectively with staff and clients
- Demonstrates ability to work as part of a team and be a team player
- Shows accuracy and attention to detail
- Able to organize work to ensure deadlines are met and follow-up is complete
- Has working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint & Excel
- Applies data management skills and principles

**Application**

Please submit the following in one (1) pdf file in the order indicated below:

- A copy of your most recent curriculum vitae (CV)
- A copy of your most recent unofficial university transcript