Join our team

Look for open graduate positions within the department here.

 

We currently have 1 open graduate student positions (MSc/PhD) for 2025. Read the full ad here.

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​​​Research Opportunities

 

Undergraduate

We welcome applications for fourth-year honours thesis research (Biology 4999E) in our lab. In addition, there are several opportunities at Western for undergraduates who are seeking research experience. Interested students should check the requirements and deadlines of these programs and are welcome to contact us to discuss further. 

• NSERC USRA - This program allows undergraduate students with high academic achievement to work for the summer in a lab. Applications are due in early winter.

• Western USRI program - This Western-specific program offers summer research support similar to USRAs with applications due in early winter.

• Western Work Study program - This program provides eligible students with paid part-time work. Eligible students can check if the DeFalco lab is currently hiring using the online job posting system here.

• ASPB SURF - Provides support for summer research in a host lab and travel to the annual ASPB meeting; applications are usually due in January.

• Internships - We welcome interested students enrolled in intern programs at other institutions to contact us.

 

Graduate

The DeFalco lab is part of the Department of Biology graduate program. Students interested in pursuing MSc or PhD research can learn more about the program, its admission requirements, and the application process here. Eligible applicants will be encouraged and supported in applying for external funding via scholarships and awards, including:

• NSERC doctoral or masters funding - These graduate scholarships provide up to 3 years of external funding; deadlines are in the fall.

• Ontario Graduate Scholarships - This program provides one year of funding for graduate studies; deadlines are in the fall.

• Western awards - Students are encouraged to determine their eligibility for internal fellowships, awards, and bursaries.

• Mitacs - The Globalink Research Award program enables students to perform a 12 to 24 week international research visit from an eligible country/region. Applications are due 16 weeks before the proposed start of the project.

• Michael Smith foreign study supplement - This program provides funding for a 2 to 6 month research visit to a foreign lab; applicants must be NSERC CGS holders, deadlines are in the spring.

• Fullbright - Offers a variety of funding opportunities for American-Canadian exchanges.

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Postdoctoral
Interested applicants are encouraged to check their eligibility for funding programs (some of which are outlined below) and contact us to discuss potential applications. 

• Banting fellowships - This program provides generous funding to exceptional researchers. Applications are processed first internally, deadlines in early summer.

• NSERC postdoctoral fellowships - Deadlines in October.

• Western postdoctoral fellowships - Deadlines usually in early November.

• MCSA - Provides postdoctoral funding opportunities for EU nationals/long-term residents wishing to pursue international research; deadlines in early fall.

• EMBO postdoctoral fellowships - These fellowships provide generous funding for nationals of EMBC member states (who also obtained their PhD in and are moving from an EMBC member state). Rolling submission process with multiple annual evaluation dates.

• HFSP postdoctoral fellowships - This program emphasizes new approaches and high-risk research, and requires international mobility. Application process begins in the spring.

• Fullbright - Offers a variety of funding opportunities.

• Mitacs - Offers a variety of funding opportunities.

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Our lab is committed to fostering an inclusive research and training environment that welcomes those from all backgrounds. We encourage applications from members of communities traditionally under-represented in the sciences.