Post-doctoral fellows
As a post-doctoral fellow (PDF) at UVic, you make a vital impact by contributing to research and the broader academic landscape while growing professionally in UVic's dynamic and cutting-edge academic environment. PDFs are an integral part of Aspiration 2030, UVic's vision for a bold and inclusive future driven by curiosity, engagement and innovation.
Post-Doctoral Fellow Handbook
The Post-Doctoral Fellow Handbook is the primary source of information for PDFs at UVic. It contains information about getting started at UVic, moving to Victoria, campus resources, and university policies. It compiles both on- and off-campus resources that you may find helpful as you begin at UVic and while you are here. If you have any questions about anything in the handbook, please contact the PDF administrator at postdocadmin@uvic.ca or 250-853-3188.
Postdoc Research Day 2025
Registration is now closed for UVic's first postdoc research day on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025. We look forward to seeing you on the day! The event will be in the SUB Upper Lounge, with registration starting at 8:30am and the event beginning at 9am. Given interest in the event, we may not be able to accommodate those that have not registered.
You can find the full schedule for the day here, and the summary schedule below. There will be a morning coffee break and a provided lunch.
Postdoc presentations will be 5 minutes long and aimed at a broad audience. They will be judged by Associate Deans of Research according to the scoring rubric linked here, and there will be cash prizes for the top three presentations of $500, $250, and $100.
In addition to research talks, there will be a panel discussing academic careers with Dr. Stephen Tuffs, Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Microbiology, Dr. Tamara Krawchenko, Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration and Associate Director of the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, and Dr. Matt Huculak, the Director of the KULA Library Futures Academy.
UVic Postdoc Research Day 2025 Schedule
8:30 am - Registration
9:00 am – Welcome
9:15 am – Research talks session 1
10:30 am – Coffee break
11:00 am – Research talks session 2
12:15 am – Lunch break
1:15 pm – Research talks session 3
2:30 pm – Academic Careers Panel
3:30 pm – Awards and close
4:00 pm – Social at Grad House
Events and workshops
You can find selected events, trainings, and workshops from across campus that may be of interest in the calendar below. Many of these events are offered by UVic Libraries, research computing, Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation, and research security. You may also wish to look at the workshops offered through the Equity and Human Rights office.
Funding
The following list of post-doctoral awards and fellowships is intended to support your search for funding for your post-doctoral appointment. This list is not comprehensive, but includes the most common supports for post-doctoral fellows at UVic.
If you are looking for grants for research expenses, see the resources for finding and applying for external grants.
If you are applying for funding, you can contact your faculty grant officer for help with your application and to find out if an RASF is required.
The Aspiration Post-doctoral Fellowship program is an internal fellowship that provides competitive match-funding for faculty to recruit outstanding new post-doctoral fellows to conduct the highest quality research at UVic.
The next round of applications will be in Fall 2025.
Post-doctoral fellowships are available from each of Canada’s three federal research funding agencies, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). These awards are for two years and valued at $70,000 per year.
These programs are currently being streamlined into a harmonized talent program called the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS) and applications are expected to open in summer 2025.
Mitacs is a national nonprofit that promotes innovation by partnering researchers with public and private sector organizations. Mitacs offers a variety of post-doctoral funding opportunities that are open to researchers from all disciplines; most require a partner organization. For more information about Mitacs programs, you can contact the UVic Mitacs Advisor Nolan Beise.
- Mitacs Elevate. A one to two-year post-doctoral fellowship program. Fellows split their time between an academic institution and a partner organization, and have access to a professional development training program. The minimum stipend is $55,000 per year.
- Mitacs Accelerate. A research internship program in collaboration with a partner organization and is variable in duration. Interns receive $10,000-$15,000 per 4-6 month internship unit.
There are a variety of opportunities specific to different areas of health and medical research.
- Michael Smith Health Research BC (MSHRBC) Research Trainee Program. An up to three-year award through Health Research BC that can be held in any area of health research.
- BC Women’s Health Research Institute Fellowship Research Award
- Alzheimer Society Research Program
- Arthritis Society Canada Training Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Brain Canada Trainee Award
- Canadian Cancer Society Research Training Award
- Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowships
- CANTRAIN Fellowships
- Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Trainee Scholarship
- CIHR Health System Impact Fellowship
- endMS Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Kidney Foundation KRESCENT Program: Post-doctoral Fellowship
- Molly Towell Perinatal Research Foundation Fellowship
- Mustard Postdoctoral Research Award in Work and Health
- Parkinson Canada Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
- TRIANGLE Postdoctoral Award in GI and liver research
In addition to the opportunities listed here, we encourage you to investigate further funding options by discussing with researchers in your area, and, if you are international, with funders from your home country. You may also wish to search Pivot-RP for additional opportunities.
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund. A variety of awards aiming to support diverse researchers in biomedical sciences.
- Liber Ero Fellowship Program. Two-year fellowship program for emerging leaders in conservation-relevant research in either the natural or social sciences.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships. The European Union’s flagship funding programme for postdoctoral training. Provides up to 3 years of support for researchers who wish to carry out their research abroad and develop their careers. Note that Canada is a Horizon Europe Associated Country.
- MEOPAR Postdoctoral Fellowship Award. For research addressing challenges in the ocean sector (including social sciences and humanities, STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, health sciences) in areas aligned with federal priorities.
- Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) Postdoctoral Fellowship. For researchers in the mathematical sciences. Candidates must be nominated by a mathematical scientist.
- WorkSafeBC Ralph McGinn Postdoctoral Fellowship. For researchers in occupational health and safety or work disability.
Hiring post-doctoral fellows
This page is for current PDFs. If you are looking to appoint a PDF, see How do I hire a post-doctoral fellow?
Need help?
Your primary point of contact outside of your supervisor during your time at UVic is the post-doctoral fellow administrator (postdocadmin@uvic.ca) who can help with anything related to post-doctoral fellows including policies and procedures, appointments and hiring, and finding additional resources.
For more information on health care, including BC MSP, Pharmacare, extended health and dental plans, and EFAP, see the Post-Doctoral Fellows Guide to Benefits and Premiums.
For any questions related to immigration, please go to the UVic immigration website or contact immigration@uvic.ca.
For information on UVic policies related to your appointment, you may wish to review the Post-Doctoral Fellows Policy and Procedures.
If you have any other questions during your time at UVic, you can contact the PDF administrator at postdocadmin@uvic.ca or 250-853-3188.