2026 Ward Summer Research Student Melanie Penner

Status:Temporary Full Time (1.00 FTE)

Compensation:$17.60/hr

Start Date:May 4 2026

End Date:July 242026

Lab: Autism Research Centre (ACCEPT Lab)

Supervisor:Dr. Melanie Penner

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 Canadas largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has ranked amongst Canadas top 40 research hospitals for more than a decade. Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Torontos Top Employers Canadas Top Employers for Young People and Canadas 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. BRIs 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 student will be a member of the Autism Research Centre - an interdisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians focused on supporting autistic children/youth and their families. While there will be the opportunity to work on a few different projects over the summer term the student will specifically assist with the qualitative analysis of child/youth interviews of those who have received care through the Extensive Needs Service (ENS). ENS is a program that provides vital wrap-around services for children and youth with urgent and extensive needs in Ontario who have co-occurring urgent medical physical and developmental complexities and/or social vulnerabilities.

The Bloorview Research Institute is pleased to launchSOAR(Sparking studentOpportunities forAdvancing inclusive childhood disabilityResearch) in partnership with the Community of Support-Research Application Support Initiative(COS-RASI).SOAR aims to provide students experiencing structural disadvantages based on their identities socioeconomic backgrounds and lived experience with research and mentorship opportunities as part of the Ward Family Summer Student Research students include but are not limited to those who identify as as Indigenous Black Filipino Latin American socioeconomically disadvantaged non-traditional learners or who self-identify with having a forSOARpositionsare submittedseparately.Please clickherefor more detailson how to apply.

Compensation Details

The program runs for 12weeks from May 4 2026 July 24 2026. Students will be paid $17.60per 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

• Analysis of qualitative interview data
• General administrative and clerical functions to support projects
• Additional duties assigned as required

Qualifications

• Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with minimum GPA of 3.7 or higher in last two years of study (Required)
• Able to utilize skills learned in academic studies in this position
• Able to communicate effectively with staff and clients
• Demonstrates ability to work as part of a team and be a team player
• Shows accuracy and attention to detail
• Able to organize work to ensure deadlines are met and follow-up is complete
• Has working knowledge of Microsoft Word PowerPoint & Excel
• Applies data management skills and principles

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 maybe contacted to provide a letter of recommendation in the event you are shortlisted for the position. Please include thefull nameof referee title/position name of institution institutional email address and phone number

Any applications missing this information will not be accepted.