HBI International Postdoctoral Recruitment Fellowship

The HBI International Strategy enables strategic international collaborations outside North America, made possible by the Rebecca Hotchkiss International Scholars Exchange (RHISE) program. Established in 2011, the RHISE program continues to support international trainee exchanges, scholarly visits of global experts in the fields of neurosciences and mental health research, joint academic symposia and other initiatives that advance research through international collaboration.

Eligibility: Acceptance into a full-time postdoctoral fellowship program under the primary supervision of a full-time HBI faculty member of the University of Calgary. Trainees who anticipate starting a postdoctoral training program at the University of Calgary within 12 months are eligible to apply.  

The purpose of this award is to attract international (permanently residing outside Canada) postdoctoral fellows (PDFs) who will be highly competitive for external awards on the basis of their academic performance and research program. Thus, PDFs holding this award are expected to apply for external awards or grants for which they are eligible, including those from provincial or national agencies. It is anticipated that the award will be pro-rated by funding obtained from other sources.

If successful, applicants must take up award funding within 6 months of application deadline date.

Value: $25,000/year

The extended health benefit plan, which is mandatory for all postdoctoral scholars, is not covered by the award. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to cover the cost of the benefit plan. Expenses, such as the employer’s contribution to CPP/EI., relocation expenses, conference attendance, and other research-related expenses, are the responsibility of the supervisor.

The fellowship is subject to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) deductions. It is also subject to the Income Tax Act as per the Regulations of the Government of Canada.

Number of awards available: Variable

Duration: Two years, subject to annual renewal

Where Tenable: University of Calgary

Terms: 

  • Appointments for international postdoctoral fellows must be for a minimum of 12 months and contingent on an appropriate work permit.
  • The applicant must have been awarded a PhD or its equivalent within the five (5) years immediately preceding the postdoctoral appointment or ten (10) years from the completion of a MD, DVM or equivalent.
  • The PDF will have permanent residency outside of Canada.
  • The PDF must spend at least 60% of their fellowship on site at the HBI. The International Director needs to be informed of extended periods of absence (greater than 3 weeks) from the HBI.
  • Funding under this program is only available to full HBI members for one postdoctoral fellow at a time.
  • HBI support does not include benefits. Any applicable benefits will follow the rules surrounding appointment types as determined by the University of Calgary and is the responsibility of the supervisor.
  • Funding cannot be allocated to a PDF remaining in the laboratory where they received their PhD.
  • The host laboratory must match the HBI contribution through commitment of an additional $25,000/year. Applicants must provide a letter of support from their research supervisor committing to provide the required annual matching component to the award.
  • Funding is allocated annually and may be renewed once for an individual fellow. Renewal is contingent upon internal review of, and application for external scholarships, annual review of progress (including participation in HBI academic activities) and signed by the supervisor acknowledging satisfactory progress under the terms of the award.
  • Individuals obtaining external support (i.e. tri-council, AI-HS, or equivalent) or any other internal funding must immediately inform the HBI Education Director to enable re-allocation of HBI funding to other individuals.
  • Funding will be subject to budget availability.

All other conditions follow the University of Calgary postdoctoral policy and procedures, as approved by the Vice-President Research.

Citizenship: International

Review criteria will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

  • Quality of the candidate
  • Match of fellow and supervisor research interests
  • Evidence of previous research productivity
  • Appropriate and informative letters of reference
  • Adequacy of funding in host laboratory

Apply: Complete the on-line application form available on the HBI Postdoctoral Funding Opportunities webpage.  

Deadline: March 15

Questions can be directed to hbi.education@ucalgary.ca.