PhD Student Position for September 2025
Dr. Amy Kirkham, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) and co-lead of the ‘Cardiometabolic, Oncology, Diet and Exercise in Women’ (CODE-W) research centre at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada), invites expressions of interest for a fully funded PhD position in her lab starting in September 2025. The position is open to domestic or international students.
The position is available for candidates with experience and interest in cardiovascular imaging, women’s cardiac health, and lifestyle interventions and will involve a joint-PhD program with the University of Melbourne (degree conferred by both institutions) and co-supervision by Dr. Erin Howden (Baker Institute). The candidate will spend at least 12 months of the PhD in Melbourne.
More information on this specific project and opportunity can be found here: https://amykirkham.ca/index.php/ads/jointphd-womens-cardiac-health-sep-2025/
Successful candidates will be involved in various ongoing studies involving women with or at risk for breast cancer, endometrial cancer, cardiovascular disease, or type 2 diabetes, depending on experience and interest. See summary here.
Together with Dr Jenna Gillen, Kirkham co-leads CODE-W, a fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratory: https://amykirkham.ca/index.php/code-w/
Within CODE-W, assessment approaches include cardiac, peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular ultrasound, arterial tonometry, MRI scans of ectopic fat (viscera, liver, and intramuscular), the heart and brain, DXA scan/Bodpod/bioelectrical impedance assessment of body composition, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, venipuncture, continuous glucose monitoring, accelerometer or physical activity trackers, and dietary record assessments. CODE-W also has a state-of-the-art wet lab for analysis of blood, saliva, and urine biomarkers and skeletal muscle biopsy with oversight from Dr. Jenna Gillen.
All projects in the lab follow a strong “team science” approach involving various trainees (undergraduate to postdoctoral), study staff (research coordinator, assistants, and associates) and both clinical (especially oncology and cardiology) and academic collaborators. Opportunities to lead publications and to assist with grant writing will be provided and encouraged.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Exercise physiology, Human physiology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Human Nutrition, or a closely related discipline involving Biomedical Imaging and/or Physiology.
- Master’s (thesis-based) degree in the above areas is preferred but candidates without a Masters who have strong research experience will be considered for ‘direct entry to PhD’
- An academic standing equivalent of a University of Toronto A- (80-84%) in the master’s degree completed or for direct entry PhD option, in the last five full-course equivalents of relevant, senior-level undergraduate courses.
- Candidates without degrees in English must meet the University of Toronto English language proficiency requirements: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/future-students/admission-application-requirements/english-language-proficiency-testing/
- Current credentials as an Exercise Physiologist or Registered Dietitian are a major asset
- Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently, while also working well as part of a collaborative team
- Experience with human data collection is required with preference for word involving clinical or otherwise vulnerable populations. Strong clinical or work experience in these populations may be considered.
- Assets include experience with imaging, indirect calorimetry, other technical data collection approaches or blood sample collection in humans
- Beginner-to-intermediate skill in understanding and application of statistics
- Demonstrated experience with writing and publishing scientific manuscripts.
- Candidates who are experienced or interested and highly motivated to learn computer programming will be strongly considered.
- Experience providing mentorship, direction, and support to junior researchers/trainees
About the University of Toronto and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
The University of Toronto is Canada’s largest university, and the only Canadian university to be repeatedly among the top 25 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Situated in one of the world’s most diverse cities, The University of Toronto is a global leader in research and teaching. The University of Toronto is also committed to the support and development of postdoctoral research.
Application Deadline & Instructions
Program application is January 13, 2025, however expressions of interest must be made to Dr. Kirkham by December 15, 2024 prior to application.
Interested candidates are requested to please submit an expression of interest to Dr. Amy Kirkham via her website: https://amykirkham.ca/index.php/jointhelab/
Application materials must include: a) completed web form; b) a cover letter describing your expertise and suitability for the position; c) your CV; d) transcripts for all completed degrees.