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Postdoctoral Positions in Canada

A postdoctoral candidate is one who has completed a doctoral degree either by participating in research work or by receiving appropriate education and training. According to CAPS-ACSP (Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars), postdoctoral candidates are an important part of the research fraternity in Canada. They are vital for the magnification of research outputs and are held responsible for the day to day counseling of undergraduate/ graduate students.

Recruitment of post doctoral candidates in top research institutes or corporations paves the way for innovation. The Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars recently conducted a survey of about 1830 postdoctoral candidates located in various parts of Canada to state the demographic data, job prospects and concerns of postdoctoral candidates in the nation.

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Job Prospects for Postdoctoral Candidates in Canada

As per a majority of postdoctoral scholars, the main source of funding is research grants of their respective mentors. Another notable finding of the CAPS-ACSP survey was that almost 81% postdoctoral scholars in Canada want to develop a career in academia and related research. However if market reports are to be believed, less than a quarter of such students or scholars in Canada will be able to accomplish their objectives. As a result, most scholars will have to consider non-academic positions for survival.

Although non-academic posts pay well, the postdoctoral students are not well versed with the knowledge entailed for such positions. This is mainly because students who take up postdoctoral studies in various universities do not undergo any career counseling program.

Career Prospects for International Scholars

Opportunities for postdoctoral students in Canada are varied and numerous in number. According to a report jointly published by Boston College and the Higher School of Economics, Russia, postdoctoral candidates engaged in academic positions in Canada receive an average salary of $7196 per month (withstanding the tax deductions). However, immigration to the Canadian soil is somewhat difficult for international postdoctoral scholars. International students who receive postdoctoral education in Canada can quickly settle by getting resident permit. Students, who have received postdoctoral education from foreign lands and are willing to settle in Canada, need a valid work permit and a job offer from a university. As per the current immigration regulations, it is easier for those to receive visa/ citizenship who are employed in the technology or medical sciences sector.

Vacancy for Post Doctoral Scholars

There are numerous vacancies in several universities for candidates who have completed their post doctoral degrees.

Canadian Blood Services invites applications from scholars who have completed their PhD in Biological Sciences for a position that entails research on the cellular and molecular processes which can be accounted for the positive effect of osteoblasts on hematopoietic recovery. The candidate must have prior research experience and should be proficient in preparing reports and manuscripts.

There is a requirement for a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Gastroenterology Division in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Candidates who apply for the position must mandatorily possess PhD with exceptional academic records and publications. The minimum tenure of this position is 3 years and the salary would be as per the experience of the candidate.

The University of Waterloo’s Information Systems and Software for Energy research community has a requirement for a postdoctoral fellow for the smart meter data analytic project. The position requires the candidate to create algorithms for the conservation of energy, to forecast demands and to develop plans for the future.

There has been a significant reduction in the percentage of postdoctoral scholars (when compared to the statistics of 2009) who draw a salary of $45000 or less as per the CAPS report published in 2013. However, although this can be taken as a positive sign, the Canadian Government needs to work hard to change the overall job scenario for postdoctoral students.

Debjani Goswami