Position filled
2023 Clinical and Research Fellowship in Advanced Genomics in Paediatric Rare Disease
Position: The Canadian Gene Cure Advanced Therapies for Rare Disease (Can-GARD) project & the Precision Child Health Initiative, along with the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Alexion & Ultragenyx, are seeking applications for a Clinical and Research Post-Doctoral Advanced Genomics in Paediatric Rare Disease Fellowship opportunity.
As an emerging area in paediatrics, this clinical research genomics fellowship offers clinicians the opportunity to pursue independent research and clinical work in partnership with a wide range of professionals to enhance children’s health and well-being. This is a 1.0 FTE position with responsibilities spanning both research and direct clinical service to the children, youth, and families served by the hospital. This one-year training position begins on July 1, 2023.
Fellowship Directors: Drs. Gregory Costain, James Dowling & Roberto Mendoza
Training Setting: SickKids, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada’s largest and one of the world’s leading paediatric academic health care institutions. As innovators in child health, SickKids improves the health of children by integrating care, research and teaching. It is a centre of excellence in the delivery of cutting edge health care to the paediatric population, and is supported by Canada’s strongest hospital-based Research Institute.
Clinical Training: The fellowship offers FTE 0.5 of clinical training to better understand the process of diagnosis and management of patients with rare disorders through clinical rotations, including a laboratory component. The Fellow will have the opportunity to develop expertise in advanced genomic tools including microarray, whole exome and whole genome sequencing for children and their families. Upon completion of the fellowship, graduates will have developed a greater understanding of clinical and biochemical genetics and the tools available for the diagnosis and management of rare disorders. They will be better prepared to consult with health teams and act as a point person within their specialty for the evaluation of patients with rare disorders. Clinical supervision will be provided by senior staff in the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics and other specialty areas in the Department of Paediatrics and involves observation, report review, and one-to-one supervision sessions.
Research training: The Fellow will have FTE 0.5 as protected time for genomic research. The Fellow will develop and pursue an independent research project in their area of interest under the supervision of a senior clinical or research staff. The objective of the research project would be to advance the understanding of the molecular and /or biochemical pathophysiology and genomics of rare disorders.
Scholarship: Graduating fellows will have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise within their rare disease rotations by offering talks, didactics, and/or case presentations during their fellowship. These presentations may include provision of education on specialty topic areas to colleagues, and presentations on broader topics. The Fellow will have the opportunity to supervise pre-doctoral interns and practicum students, and will receive supervision on the training they provide.
Didactics: A rich array of didactic learning opportunities are available to fellows and staff at SickKids. Lectures, seminars and courses are offered through the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, the Division of Genome Diagnosis, the Research Institute and other areas of interest to the applicant. The Fellow will be able to participate in weekly Genometabolic Rounds, Genetics Ground Rounds, as well as clinical and research seminars.
Requirements: Applicants should hold a MD degree or equivalent and completed an accredited residency program. Applicants should be comfortable working in a paediatric medicine environment. Applicants from any specialty or subspecialty are welcome to apply, as we will customize the experience to address any individual’s interest and learning needs. Previous research experience is not required but will be considered when evaluating applicants.
Applicants need to be eligible for an academic medical licence in the province of Ontario.
How to Apply: Interested individuals should email their application, preferably in PDF format, to the
Can-GARD at Can.GARD@sickkids.ca. Please enclose a statement of intent highlighting your reasons for applying to the fellowship, your most updated CV, and the names of three referees. Letters of support will be requested if you are pre-selected.
Interested applicants may direct any informal enquires to: Can-GARD
SickKids Research Institute, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning
Suite 13.9706, 686 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario Canada
M5G 0A4
Application Deadline
Extended until April 30, 2023