Opportunities for Postdoctoral Fellows, Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Training Opportunities at the BC Cancer Research Centre
A variety of opportunities exist at the BC Cancer Research Centre (BCCRC) for individuals ranging from postdoctoral fellows to undergraduate students. This page gives brief descriptions of the opportunities available. For more information, you are encouraged to visit the department specific pages.
You may also find the personal research pages of our faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students helpful:
Postdoctoral Positions
The BCCRC welcomes inquiries from qualified postdoctoral candidates. Postdoctoral training is available in all research departments at both the post-PhD and post-MD level. Typically such training is for 2-3 years.
Candidates are encouraged to seek independent awards from sources such as the 
Canadian Institutes of Health Research or the National Cancer Institute of Canada but may also be funded through faculty research grants. Interested individuals should apply directly to the faculty member of their choice by sending a curriculum vitae, transcripts and the names and addresses of three references.
Graduate Studies
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) degrees can be pursued at the BCCRC, in affiliation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Admission and Course Work
All students must first meet the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the University department to which they apply. Each student's graduate program and course selection is decided upon by the student and the supervisor together with the student's advisory committee.
Depending on the program, formal course work is usually completed during the first year or two of study, and is typically followed by a comprehensive examination in the specific discipline being pursued (although this varies according to the discipline). Courses are usually completed at the University, but some courses are available at the Research Centre. Upon successful completion of this course work, students can then devote their full attention to research.
Scientific Interactions
Attendance and participation in seminars and scientific meetings are an integral part of each student's academic training. Mastery in oral presentation and a exposure to a wide variety of research techniques are major benefits of training in a large interdisciplinary setting. Thus, students and postdoctoral fellows present their research in Departmental seminar series, as well as a seminar series involving all research departments within the BCCRC. In addition, a University seminar course is part of the academic requirements of most graduate programs.
Students also play an active role in various small journal clubs and group meetings. Opportunities exist to attend many seminars by outstanding scientific visitors to Vancouver, including a weekly seminar series on cancer-related basic and clinical research topics. Several of these seminars are held at the Research Centre, or at the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Clinic (across the street), while others are held on the UBC campus.
More advanced students are also encouraged to attend and expected to present their own findings at international scientific meetings for which financial support is available.
Interdisciplinary Oncology Program
SEPTEMBER 2003: NEW GRADUATE STUDIES OPPORTUNITY AT UBC INTERDISCIPLINARY ONCOLOGY PROGRAM
The goal of the Program is to provide graduate students from diverse backgrounds with an education in a number of disciplines relating to oncology, and to provide opportunities for intensive training in specialized aspects of oncology through thesis research leading to an M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree. For more information, you are encouraged to visit the Interdisciplinary Oncology Program page.
Department or Program Specifics
To find out about the research being undertaken by graduate students at the BCCRC, browse their personal research pages.
Undergraduate, Summer, and Co-op Positions
Along with postdoctoral and graduate student training, many other opportunities exist for students to gain scientific experience in a world-class research environment.
Co-op Programs
Students enrolled in co-op programs, at UBC, SFU or University of Victoria may apply to undertake one work term at the BCCRC. Deadlines for these positions are generally set by the University. Interested students should contact faculty members to discuss research project ideas.
Summer Research Positions
Undergraduate students may apply to be a research assistant during the summer. Studentships are available through the BC Cancer Foundation and some University departments. They are competitive, so potential candidates should apply early. In some cases, summer research positions may be funded through individual research grants.
Directed Studies and Undergraduate Thesis Courses
Some undergraduate honours programs have upper-level (3rd or 4th year) "thesis" or directed studies courses, where a small research project is undertaken by the student under the direction of a faculty member. It is possible for these courses to be completed at the BCCRC. Interested students should discuss possible projects with individual researchers.
Affiliated Universities and Relevant Disciplines
The BCCRC is affiliated with both the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
Most graduate students and postdoctoral fellows conduct research in medical and biological disciplines (like experimental medicine, biochemistry, genetics, or pathology). However, there are also a number of students from other scientific disciplines (like physics, statistics, mathematics, or engineering) tackling cancer-related research. Individuals from all disciplines are invited to inquire about research opportunities at the BCCRC.
Life in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The BCCRC is located south of the downtown core in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Vancouver is situated on Canada's west coast and is widely regarded as one of North America's most beautiful cities. Greater Vancouver is nestled between the coastal mountains to the north, the Strait of Georgia to the west, and the U.S. border to the south.
Recreational opportunities are numerous, especially outdoors. Ski hills are within an hour's drive, hiking trails for people of all fitness levels number in the hundreds, and Vancouver's beaches are popular in the summer. Vancouver offers world-class entertainment year-round, whether you prefer the Vancouver Symphony, Granville Island's comedy clubs, or professional hockey with the Vancouver Canucks.
For more information...
Department-specific information is available for some departments at the BCCRC:
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