Western Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

 

Western’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program awards funding to postdoctoral scholars who contribute to the stimulation of research, scholarship, and creative activity across the institution.

Grounded in the guiding principles of the Western Research Strategic Plan "Mobilize for Impact!" (2022-2027) which fits within the broader context of "Towards Western at 150", the Postdoctoral Fellowship program aspires to:

  • Attract diverse postdoctoral talent from a global candidate pool, who will contribute positively to research excellence;
  • Enhance support for promising research programs;
  • Foster a vibrant and inclusive environment for scholars and position them for success as early career researchers.

Application Deadline:

  • February 2, 2024: Please submit your complete application by/before 4 p.m. here 
    • No late applications will be accepted.
  • April 2024: Communication of Results
  • July 2024- June 2025: Successful Candidates’ Start Date

Application Guidelines:

Value and duration:

  • Fellowships will provide a minimum stipend of $60,000/year (pending any association agreement changes) plus benefits for two years. Western Research will contribute up to 50% of the Fellowship stipend.
  • Matching requirement: The host faculty and/or supervising faculty member are responsible for securing the remaining 50% of the Fellowship stipend, which must be secured and confirmed at the time of application.
  • Western Research will also contribute a $5,000/year research allowance over the 2-year term. For further details, see program guidelines.

Eligibility:

  • Western University Guidelines on Postdoctoral Scholars
  • The applicant’s Ph.D. (including a PhD-equivalent or health professional degree) must have been granted (official convocation/graduation date) within five (5) years prior to the proposed start date of the Postdoctoral Fellowship. All Ph.D. requirements must have been met by the start date of the award.
  • As applicants can face interruptions due to various life events which may affect their project work, career trajectory and academic achievements within the outlined 5-year period, that window of eligibility could be extended (refer to Guidelines document).
  • Applicants who currently hold a postdoctoral position at Western, or have previously held a postdoctoral position at Western, are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants cannot currently hold a permanent faculty position, or a faculty position leading to permanency.
  • Successful applicants cannot hold a postdoctoral position at another institution while holding this award.
  • Applicants must secure the written commitment of a qualified faculty member at Western who has the expertise, experience, and capacity to act as the host Supervisor of the Postdoctoral Fellow and their proposed project. Supervisors must also hold a research-eligible position at Western.
  • Western Research may consider applications where postdoctoral scholars are also retained by Western to teach one or more courses. In these cases, the proposed Fellowship will be reduced proportional to remunerated teaching, on a case-by-case basis in consultation with SGPS.
  • Applicants who are not Canadian citizens will be required to secure all necessary permits, visas, or documentation required by all relevant jurisdictions. More information can be found on Western’s School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ website.

Submission:

 See Program Guidelines and Application Form for full details.

  • The Postdoctoral Fellow applicant must submit a complete Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Application Form to the Research Office with the following required attachments:
  • Research Project Proposal (4 pages max.);
  • Bibliography/References (2 pages max.);
  • Host Supervisor Statement (3 pages max.)
  • CV for the Postdoctoral scholar (5 pages max.);
  • Most significant contributions (1 page max.);
  • Proof of Ph.D. (original document plus translation as required); and
  • Letters of support from two (2) referees.
  • If the applicant is engaging in community-based research a letter of support is required from the community partner and can be included as an additional (third) Referee letter
  • The Principal Supervisor (in consultation with the Postdoctoral Applicant) must submit a Western University ROLA Proposal for the application No later than February 27, 2024, at 10 a.m.