Pain and Symptom Management and Palliative Care - Oncology Clinical Research Fellowship
BC Cancer and University of British Columbia
Term: 1 Year
Typical Start Date: July 1
Duration: 1 year
Application Deadline: Recommended at least 9 months prior to start date (or 12 months for international applicants)
BC Cancer is pleased to offer a one‑year Clinical Research Fellowship in Pain and Symptom / Palliative Care (PSMPC). This fellowship is designed to provide advanced academic training for physicians with an interest in palliative care research, while maintaining meaningful clinical engagement within a multidisciplinary supportive care program.
The fellowship aims to build research capacity in palliative care in British Columbia and across Canada, with a particular focus on developing practical research skills that can be applied in academic and clinical careers.
BC Cancer manages a comprehensive, population-based cancer control program for the people of British Columbia. It operates six regional cancer centres in Abbotsford, Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Vancouver, and Victoria.
The Clinical Research Fellowship PSMPC is available, based in Surrey and/or Vancouver Centres.
UBC/BC Cancer fellows benefit from:
- A provincially coordinated model of care
- Access to large population-based datasets
- Opportunities in outcomes research, quality improvement, health services research, medical education, health equity, and Indigenous cancer care
Fellowship Structure
Duration: 12 months. Focus: Research training, integrated with clinical exposure.
Time allocation: Approximately 40 clinical and 60% research.
Location: Lower Mainland (Surrey or Vancouver), site to be determined.
Research Training and Expectations
The fellowship emphasizes structured research skill development, including formal research education (National Institutes of Health research course, Institute for Healthcare Improvement quality improvement course, or equivalents), completion of a primary capstone project, engagement in secondary projects, and an aspirational goal of peer-reviewed manuscript submission.
Clinical Work
Clinical exposure will be supervised within Pain & Symptom Management services and tailored to the fellow’s prior experience, with careful attention to avoiding clinical burden early in the fellowship. The fellow will participate in 2-3 half day clinics per week.
Eligibility
For Canadian physicians, to be eligible they must:
- be eligible to hold a College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) educational license
- hold a CCFP or FRCPC by the time fellowship begins
- have 3 or more months in palliative care experience through formal or informal training or work experience.
For physicians trained outside of Canada, to be eligible they must
International Applicants and Timeline Considerations
International applicants who require a Canadian work permit must allow sufficient time for UBC processing.
UBC requires submission of complete fellowship documentation at least 9 months prior to the intended start date when a work permit is required. As this timeline begins after acceptance and document preparation, international applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications at least twelve months in advance of their desired start date.
While July 1 is the typical start date, flexibility may be possible depending on circumstances.
Application Process
Applications to BC Cancer PSMPC Fellowships are provincially coordinated. Eligible applicants should submit:
- Letter of intent including:
o Their reasons to pursue research training in palliative care
o Personal goals and objectives for the program
o Areas of personal interest for research, and how they plan to apply their training their future work
- 2 reference letters supporting their application, at least one of which should be from a Palliative Medicine physician OR the names of 2 referees, at least one of which should be a Palliative Medicine physician [These can be submitted after interview, if offered]
- A brief research proposal (1-2 pages) describing a potential capstone project
- Interviews with the selection committee will be conducted with selected applicants after file review.
Fellowship Director
Julia Ridley, Provincial Medical Director, Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative care jridley@bccancer.bc.ca
How to Apply:
Please submit applications to:
Shelley Dutchin
BC Cancer, Physician Recruitment Advisor
shelley.dutchin@phsa.ca
What we do
BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.
BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
(PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
The BC Cancer (www.bccancer.bc.ca) is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia in partnership with regional health authorities to deliver a range of cancer services, which include prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. It operates six regional cancer centres in Surrey, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Prince George, along with two research centres that conduct research into the causes and cures for cancer.
BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) which plans, manages and evaluates specialty and province-wide health care services across BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. These include: Respect people • Be compassionate • Dare to innovate • Cultivate partnerships • Serve with purpose.
PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity and diversity and hires on the basis of merit. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.
For more information on all that the PHSA has to offer, please visit: http://careers.phsa.ca
For more information about BC Cancer, please visit: www.bccancer.bc.ca
