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CAMH Research Trainees are individuals who come to CAMH for a time-limited engagement, to receive training and obtain research experience as part of a post-secondary academic program, or as a postdoctoral research opportunity (post-PhD or post-MD). They are not CAMH employees.

There are four types of research trainees: 

1. Postdoctoral research trainee

• has obtained a PhD, M.D., or equivalent degree, as defined by the trainee’s professional field, within the past five years
• is engaged for a temporary period of mentored, but self-directed, research training for the purpose of pursuing individual research objectives and acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue an independent research career path
• maximum five years in duration

2. Research co-op trainee

• is enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-operative education program 
• is required to do a co-op work term that provides academic credit toward their degree, diploma or other certificated outcome 
• undergraduate student normally, but can be an MA or PhD student

3. Research placement trainee

• enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution in an academic program where practical experience is not required to obtain their degree or diploma
• undergraduate student normally, but can be a graduate student

4. Research practicum trainee

• enrolled in an academic program with a formal requirement for practical training and/or research outside of the classroom 
• program must either be at a publically funded academic institution in Ontario or at an institution with which CAMH has an Affiliation Agreement
• graduate student normally, but can be at any level, including undergraduate

Undergraduate and graduate applicants
At the undergraduate and graduate level, the most common pathways to becoming a CAMH research trainee are:

1. Consult with your university program academic advisor to identify existing courses and programs (e.g., honours thesis courses, independent project courses, summer undergraduate research programs) that facilitate practical research experience at CAMH. 
2. Apply directly to your university or college course or program, and complete all necessary application forms and interviews;
   OR
3. Contact a CAMH scientist directly to determine their availability and eligibility to supervise research as part of an existing course or program at a local university or college. Please see the Science & Research Staff Directory to find scientists in your area of interest who may be approached to act as CAMH primary supervisor.
4. Provide the CAMH primary supervisor (or the supervisor’s administrative team) with information and documents when asked to do so in support of the research trainee registration process. 
   Requested documents may include (but are not limited to): proof of enrollment, proof of SIN, proof of practicum, co-op education forms, direct deposit form, and others. Typically documents are required a month in advance. For international trainees, additional document requirements and earlier timelines are likely to apply.

Postdoctoral applicants

At the postdoctoral level, common pathways to becoming a CAMH Research Trainee include contacting CAMH scientists directly to inquire about current opportunities or openings for postdoctoral researchers in their lab as well as their availability and interest in supervising an application for an internal or external postdoctoral research award.  Please see the Science & Research Staff Directory to find researchers in your area of interest.

CAMH welcomes international trainees at all levels. Please see our international trainee page for information about the application process and international student requirements.

Please visit our International Student Page for more information. For immunization information, see below.

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