The Faculty of Graduate Studies at York University has launched a new program aimed at supporting advanced research through funded, one-year postdoctoral research positions.

Open to both Canadian and international students, the York Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (YPDF) supports research excellence in all disciplines. In the first phase of the program, 10 fellowships will be awarded – applicants will be selected by a cross-disciplinary selection committee.

“The YPDF is tremendous opportunity to facilitate research excellence and support York University in reaching our research intensification goals,” said Barbara Crow, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. “It is the first of its kind in the country – York is supporting outstanding young scholars in new and exciting ways.”

A postdoctoral scholar is a newly qualified researcher with a doctoral degree in his or her field. Postdoctoral researchers are a vital part of research at universities across Canada and globally.

“Postdocs are integral to York’s research success. They play a key role in a diverse array of research projects being conducted across York’s Faculties, Departments and Research Centres,” said Emily Anglin, postdoctoral services coordinator. “This is true now more than ever, as new graduates from doctoral programs increasingly seek postdoctoral positions as a means of supporting the transition from doctoral researcher to an independent research career as a faculty member or professional researcher.”

York’s international reputation for research strength in a range of fields has made the University a desirable host for postdoctoral candidates from across Canada and globally, and interest among candidates hoping to conduct postdoctoral research here continues to grow. The University is currently home to more than 160 postdoctoral fellows working in a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, political science, biology, fine arts, mathematics and vision research.

Postdoctoral positions are important in part because they offer time and space for a newly qualified PhD to more fully pursue questions raised by doctoral research, to explore a new methodological approach, or to pursue a new research project departing from the doctoral project.

“Solid foundations of support to the new graduate have always been critical; postdoctoral opportunities can provide this kind of platform, from which the newly qualified researcher can better find their footing as a new independent researcher, develop their professional profile, and build networks and collaborations, all key components of CV development,” said Anglin. “By growing postdoctoral opportunities, York will also advance its core aim of research intensification, by strengthening innovative collaborations between established and emerging scholars that are beneficial to both.”

The deadline for applications is January 11, 2016. For more information, visit gradstudies.yorku.ca/postdoctoral-fellows/prospective-fellows/, or contact Emily Anglin, postdoctoral services coordinator, at anglinem@yorku.ca.

A public information session on the program will be held on Nov. 10 at 2pm in 519 Kaneff Tower, Keele campus.

SOURCE: Yfile