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

Supervisor: Dr. Anne Kawamura

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

In our lab, we are interested in studying how health professions students learn and how to prepare them for life-long learning once they are in clinical practice. We use our understanding of cognitive science to inform how students are instructed in health professions education. The successful candidate will work on a study examining how a student's prior knowledge can be restructured using an instructional method called integrated instruction. The Ward Summer Research Student will be involved in the development of materials for an educational experiment, building an online platform to test participants, recruitment of participants, and data collection. They will have the opportunity to work with a mentor on a research project, attend Lunch 'n Learn sessions, and participate in the annual Ward Summer Student Research Day where they will have an opportunity to present their findings to the organization and its visitors.

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

• Assist with the ongoing project activities including participant recruitment, data gathering, entry, and analysis
• Assist with the development of experimental materials and test materials on an online platform
• General administrative and clerical functions to support projects
• Interaction with multidisciplinary project team members (including researchers and clinicians)
• Preparation of a presentation for the Ward Summer Research Student Day
• Additional duties assigned as required

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a 3rd or 4th year student in an undergraduate degree program for the fall of 2026, or any year of a medical degree (MD) program (Required)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 80% (Required)
• Must have completed at least one research methods course and CORE ethics training (Required)
• Student studying life sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences or other relevant disciplines 
• Exposure to or experience with research preferred
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with others and work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize work to ensure deadlines are met

Application

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

1. A copy of your most recent curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A copy of your most recent unofficial university transcript
3. A list of two referees (recent professors, previous employers) who may be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation in the event you are shortlisted for the position. Please include the full name of referee, title/position, name of institution, institutional email address and phone number

Any applications missing this information will not be accepted.