Research Training Centre

Location:: 686 Bay Street - 3rd Floor, G2 East - Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning - Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4
Phone:: 416-813-7654 ext. 301426
Email:: SickKids Research Training Centre

The Research Training Centre (RTC) at SickKids supports over 1,500 undergraduate research students, graduate research students, research fellows, and research associates in their career, skills, and research development.

At SickKids, you’ll work alongside renowned researchers across our seven multidisciplinary research programs, as they pursue some of the most innovative and impactful paediatric health research in the world.

You'll gain recognition from working with our world-class researchers to uncover new insights into biological, medical, and social questions. Our staff is here to support a meaningful work environment, and to nurture and advance your professional career.

Become a Research Student or Fellow

Find information on joining SickKids as a research student or fellow, moving to Toronto, and the benefits of pursuing your education at SickKids.

SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program

Learn more about the SSuRe Program, including program activities, how to apply for a research summer student position, and important deadlines.

Two staff members having a discussion while seated at a table with a laptop and notebook open

Skills and Career Development

Check out the skills and career development programs and opportunities you’ll have access to when you join SickKids.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards

Apply for awards, scholarships, and research funding opportunities through SickKids and other external organizations.

Kids Science

Check out Kids Science for more information on opportunities such as the StAR program and Summer Mentorship program.

About the RTC

Since 1997, the Research Training Centre (RTC) has enhanced the training, support, and career development of students, fellows, and staff in the RI through targeted initiatives that include internal funding competitions, skill and career development programs, special events, policy development, and advocacy.

Students and fellows from around the world pursue research at SickKids over the course of any given year, including undergraduate students, summer students, graduate students and research fellows. The RTC also serves clinical trainees pursuing research as part of their medical education.

We offer several benefits as you pursue your undergraduate, MSc, PhD, postdoctoral research, and future endeavours.

Skills and Career Development

We offer a robust skills and career development curriculum in collaboration with experts from within the organization and across Canada, ensuring you have the skills and support you need to succeed here and in your future career.

Research Funding

You'll be backed by strong financial support for any research, including the oversight, support, and administration of internal and external scholarships, fellowships, awards, graduate research student stipends, and research fellow salaries.

Policy and Advocacy

We serve as the core policy development and advocacy forum for research student and fellow issues.

Data Collection

We will track and support you with the necessary resources as you progress through your research training at SickKids, and into your career. 

Exclusive Events for Research Students and Fellows 

We regularly host special events aimed at celebrating research excellence and achievement of our research students and fellows.

Communication

We publish a regular RTC email newsletter with education, funding, and job opportunities. We also support the publication of The Training Post, the Research Institute's monthly research student and fellow publication.

Senior Manager

Associate Chief

Program Manager

Program Coordinator

Research Program Coordinator

David Manly

Administrative Coordinator

Christine Juane

A message from Dr. Simon Sharpe, Associate Chief, Research Training and Career Development

Welcome!

Innovation, collaboration, creativity, rigour, and impact—these are the hallmarks of research excellence for which SickKids is known for around the world.

These are also the hallmarks of the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researcher training in each of our seven multidisciplinary research programs. If you’re already one of our trainees, we’re proud to have you! If you’re considering joining us at SickKids, I hope you take some time to explore what the Research Training Centre has to offer you. Our professional and career development programs, research funding, and community building are part of what makes SickKids a fantastic place to pursue undergraduate, M.Sc., PhD or postdoctoral research. 

Founded in 1996, the SickKids Research Training Centre works to ensure that you can make the most of your time at SickKids, and leave here ready to take on whatever your career, and your life, has in store. We offer a number of research funding opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows at every level, and an exciting—and ever-growing—curriculum of skills and career development programming that will help you succeed as a researcher.  In the summer, we facilitate exciting research and training opportunities through the SickKids Summer Research Program (SSuRe).

The Research Training Centre also offers opportunities to get involved in the Research Institute community including the Career Development Committee, the Postdoctoral Advisory Committee, the Research Associate Advisory Committee and many other teams. Through our special events, we aim to inspire you, to celebrate you and to offer you training opportunities you won’t get anywhere else. We also work to advocate for the needs of research students and fellows within the SickKids, University of Toronto and Canadian research communities. 

A celebrated part of our team includes the Kids Science program, educating youth on Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) through interactive, fun and informative experiences with SickKids research leaders, including paid internships (our StAR program for high school students), mentorship programs, on-site lab visits, school visits, and demonstrations. Reaching over 40,000 young Canadians, we support youth from historically marginalized communities in priority neighbourhoods, as well as those receiving care at SickKids. Through science-based curricula – alongside accomplished and diverse mentors – we help students navigate the road to science-centred education and careers.

Our fundamental goal at SickKids is to create a better world through advances in research and medicine. One of the best ways we work to achieve that goal is by providing you with the skills and opportunities to go out and improve the world, wherever you are. It starts here. 

Welcome.

Simon Sharpe, PhD