2026 Ward Summer Research Student - Dr. Gillian King & Dr. Monika Novak Pavlic (ON, Toronto)

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital in Toronto is seeking summer research students for a temporary full-time position. Successful candidates will assist in various research activities and have an opportunity to collaborate with experienced mentors. Ideal candidates are enrolled in an undergraduate program and have relevant coursework. The role offers competitive pay at $17.60/hr, bridging research with practical experience in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program for fall 2025 or higher.
• Minimum GPA of 80%.
• Experience with children/youth with disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with project activities.
• Prepare written summaries and key messages.
• Develop educational materials and knowledge translation products.
• Interact with multidisciplinary team members.
• Prepare a presentation for the research day.

Skills

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

3rd or 4th year undergraduate program or medical degree

Research methods course

CORE ethics training

Job description

Status: Temporary Full Time (1.00 FTE)

Compensation: $17.60/hr

Start Date: May 4, 2026

End Date: July 24, 2026

Supervisors: Dr. Gillian King and Dr. Monika Novak Pavlic

Program: Bloorview Research Institute

Join us in building a world of possibility for children with neurodevelopmental differences and disabilities!

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has ranked amongst Canada’s top 40 research hospitals for more than a decade. Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers, Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures. We offer an inspiring, inclusive, innovative, and collaborative work environment with competitive compensation and benefit packages and programs that support ongoing learning and professional growth.

The Bloorview Research Institute (BRI), embedded within the hospital, is the only university‑affiliated research institute in Canada dedicated to pediatric disability, and one of very few around the world. BRI’s vision is to be a global leader in transformative, equity‑driven research dedicated to enabling personalized versions of a good life across the lifespan, for all individuals with childhood onset disabilities, acquired injuries and developmental differences, their families and communities.

Description

The Ward Summer Student Research program provides an opportunity to experience a unique interdisciplinary mentorship experience. Successful applicants will have opportunities to work with their mentor on a research project, attend our Lunch 'n' Learns and participate in the annual Ward Summer Student Research Day where they will have an opportunity to present their findings to the organization and its visitors.

Dr. Gillian King is a Distinguished Senior Scientist within the Bloorview Research Institute, Canada Research Chair in Optimal Care for Children with Disabilities, and a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on psychosocial aspects of intervention for children/youth with disabilities and their families.

Dr. Monika Novak Pavlic is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Holland Bloorview and CanChild and will co‑supervise. Her research focuses on child engagement and meaningful family partnerships in pediatric rehabilitation. She brings experience working across clinical, research, and community settings, with a passion for advancing child outcomes and family‑centered care.

Compensation Details

The program runs for 12 weeks from May 4, 2026– July 24, 2026. Students will be paid $17.60 per hour based on a 37.5 hour week (full‑time), less statutory deductions, including 4% in lieu of vacation and relevant statutory holiday pay. Students will be paid biweekly through payroll.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the ongoing project activities
• Assist with the preparation of written summaries, key messages, or syntheses of literature
• Assist with the development of educational materials and knowledge translation products, including written text, images and infographics, audio recordings, and/or video content
• Interaction with multidisciplinary project team members (including researchers, clinicians, educators, clients, and families)
• Preparation of a presentation for the Ward Summer Research Student Day
• Additional duties assigned as required

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a 3rd or 4th year student in an undergraduate degree program for the fall of 2025, or any year of a medical degree (MD) program (Required)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 80% (Required)
• Must have completed at least one research methods course and CORE ethics training (Required)
• Student studying life sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences or other relevant disciplines will be given priority
• Experience working with children/youth with disabilities preferred
• Exposure to or experience with research preferred
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with others and work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize work to ensure deadlines are met

Application

Please submit the following in one (1) pdf file in the order indicated below:

1. A copy of your most recent curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A copy of your most recent unofficial university transcript
3. A list of two referees (recent professors, previous employers) who may be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation in the event you are shortlisted for the position. Please include the full name of the referee, title/position, name of institution, institutional email address and phone number.

Any applications missing this information will not be accepted.