UHN Summer Training and Research (STAR) Program
*Principal Investigators and Staff can find instructions on how to onboard summer students at UHN on the intranet here.
About the Program
The UHN Summer Training And Research (STAR) Program provides opportunities for students to:
- Perform summer research under the supervision of a UHN scientist
- Attend educational sessions to learn critical research and professional development skills
- Communicate their research with the community during a Research Day
- Receive a certificate of program completion
Who is Eligible?
The program is designed for undergraduate and medical students, but some research positions are also open to graduate students requiring research placements, college students, and health professional learners (including nurses, occupational therapists, and more).
For information on research opportunities for high school students explore the UHN STEM Pathways website.
Why Choose UHN?
UHN is Canada’s largest hospital network, encompassing four hospital sites with expertise in a number of specialties. Each hospital site is recognized for excellence in distinct areas of specialization, a long and proud history, and a highly committed group of supporters and staff. Rooted in tradition and excellence, UHN plays a leadership role in the transformation of health care.
As it stands, 7 research institutes encompasses UHN and each specializes in different disciplines. With a high level of health research activity and collaborations with other disciplines creates an unparalleled opportunity for a trainee to develop and fully realize their potential as a scientist. Within UHN you can find great patient care partnered with health research and basic science, with an opportunity to attend a seminar and learn something from leading experts every day.
How to Participate in the UHN STAR Program
The first step to participating in the UHN STAR program, is securing a summer research position under the supervision of a UHN scientist.
There are three main mechanisms that students can use:
Contact UHN Scientists Directly to Inquire About Positions
Students are encouraged to identify UHN Scientists who work on research topics that they are interested in and contact these potential supervisors directly expressing interest in temporarily joining the lab. Students are encouraged to attach their resume and transcripts to these emails.
Note that the process for finding a supervisor and summer student position starts several months before the academic term ends, especially if an application for funding is involved—plan to start your search as early as December or January.
Apply Through Summer Research Programs
There are Summer Research Programs in some of the departments at UHN and University of Toronto designed to help students find research supervisors.
Each program will have distinct application processes and due dates. Some programs involve applications where the student indicates scientists of interest and successful applicants are matched with a supervisor. Other programs involve students applying to job postings submitted by potential supervisors.
Apply to Job Postings
Occasionally, work or research positions for students will be posted on the UHN Careers Page and/or on the ORT website. Students are encouraged to apply directly to these positions.
Open Summer Research Opportunities
Positions will be posted as they become available.
Interested in Learning Tips and Tricks on How to Find a Summer Research Position?
Watch the recording of our virtual information session held on November 27, 2024 to learn how to obtain a paid summer research position at UHN!
The session shared information on paid summer research opportunities and programs at UHN, how to apply to positions and awards, and advice from a UHN PI and previous summer student!
Watch the Recording
After Securing a UHN Research Supervisor
1. Review the “New UHN employees Before you get Started” checklist here. This checklist will help students understand the necessary steps to get onboarded, including the mandatory immunizations and training. Students will receive an official offer letter with further onboarding instructions.
2. Register with the Office of Research Trainees (ORT) here. This provides students access to all of the ORT’s programming and resources, including research and career development workshops, the UHN STAR Learning Sessions, and the UHN STAR Research Day.
3. Students may also have access to other educational summer programs, based on the UHN and university affiliations of their supervisor. Explore the educational programs here.
4. Students can apply for awards for their summer research. See below!
2025 UHN STAR Program Learning Sessions and Research Day
The UHN STAR program offers a series of virtual learning sessions to help summer students develop critical research and professional development skills. To participate in the program, UHN summer students must be registered with the ORT. Registering will give students access to all the UHN STAR programming and communications.
Learning Session Dates and Topics:
May 16, 2-4:00 pm – An Introduction to Research at UHN & The Art of Scientific Research: From Hypothesis to Experiment
June 6, 2-3:30 pm – Building a Foundation: Research Integrity and Responsible Conduct
June 20, 2-3:30 pm – Creating Connections: Essential Networking Skills
July 4, 2-3:30 pm – Key Insights into Graduate School
July 18, 2-3:30 pm – Crafting Clear and Impactful Scientific Presentations
August 1, 2-3:30 pm – Exploring Diverse Careers in Science and Healthcare
UHN summer research students will also have the opportunity to share their summer research with the UHN research community through in-person or virtual poster sessions at UHN STAR Research Day.
UHN summer students who watch or attend at least four learning sessions and present their research will be given a certificate of program completion.
Showcasing UHN’s Summer Students!
Read the UHN Research feature on the 2024 UHN STAR Research Day here.
Summer Research Awards
Students are encouraged to explore summer research awards that they may be eligible for. Some programs will also grant awards for best presentations at summer Research Days.
