Category: Trainee Opportunities

A research-based PhD opportunity is available at Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada, for a candidate interested in low back pain, osteoarthritis, pain mechanisms, and rehabilitation research.

The project aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms explaining the presence or absence of pain in individuals with lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The research will involve the collection of comprehensive measures assessing brain and spinal function, pain sensitivity, spinal mobility, inflammatory biomarkers, and other factors associated with the pain experience.

The successful candidate will join the Neurodos Research Laboratory at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris). The laboratory is directed by Professor Hugo Masse-Alarie, whose research focuses on trunk motor control, the effects of pain on motor control, and the management of chronic low back pain using non-invasive and non-pharmacological approaches.

Location: Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
Program: Research-based PhD
Research areas: Low back pain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, pain mechanisms, motor control, and rehabilitation

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Hugo Masse-Alarie at hugo.masse-alarie@fmed.ulaval.ca for further information.

Please refer to the opportunity poster for additional details.

Professors Anne Hudon, Matthew Hunt, and Eric Racine are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Laboratoire d’Éthique Vivante en Réadaptation (LEViER), based at the Gingras-Lindsay Rehabilitation Institute of Montreal. This fellowship focuses on advancing research in rehabilitation ethics and living lab approaches. 

The selected fellow will join a dynamic interdisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, students, and patient partners working to promote ethical practices in rehabilitation research and care.

As part of this fellowship, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to:

• Participatory rehabilitation ethics research projects, including qualitative data collection and analysis

• Arts-based and living lab ethics initiatives

• Mentorship of graduate students

• Empirical and theoretical research on ethical considerations in living laboratory environments 

Eligibility requirements include:

• A PhD in a related field (e.g., rehabilitation sciences, health sciences, sociology, bioethics, anthropology, or philosophy)

• Experience or strong interest in ethics research

• Expertise in qualitative research, particularly participatory or arts-based methods

• Excellent writing skills and fluency in English and French

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 

Funding is available to support the selected postdoctoral fellow, who will also be encouraged to apply for provincial and federal fellowship funding opportunities. 

For more information or to apply, please send your CV and cover letter to: camilledesforgeslevier@outlook.com

The Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network, in collaboration with the Western Bone and Joint Institute and the MSK Innovation Factory, is pleased to announce the Building Impactful MSK Health Research: Knowledge Mobilization Summer School.

When: July 6-10, 2026

Where: Western University, London, Ontario

This week-long summer school is designed to build capacity in knowledge mobilization and implementation among trainees, researchers, clinicians, and professionals working in MSK health.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn foundational principles of knowledge mobilization and implementation
• Develop hands-on research dissemination and impact skills
• Gain experience in planning and evaluating knowledge mobilization strategies
• Learn directly from leading academics, patient partners, and professionals across healthcare, community, and policy settings

Requirements:

• Applicants must be graduate students or postdoctoral fellows registered and attending a Canadian post-secondary institution.
• Applicants must be a member of the Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network (If you are not already a Network member, apply for free here: https://mskrehabnet.com/about/current-members/) or through the summer school application form.

Important Details:

• There is no registration fee for any attendee.
• We will arrange and pay for your accommodation at Western if you are travelling from out of province or another city.
• Funding support will be provided to trainees who need to travel from out of province or another city in order to attend the summer school. Local students may attend without funding as they will not need accommodation or travel support. Funding support will include:

• • up to $200 for travel from a city within the province (e.g., Toronto).
  • up to $500 for travel from a neighbouring province (e.g., Quebec).
  • up to $1000 for travel from elsewhere in Canada (e.g., British Columbia, Nova Scotia, etc.).

• Supervisors are expected to provide additional funding to help cover travel costs for their students. Trainees located outside of Ontario who will be reimbursed between $500-$1000 from the MSK Network, must provide written confirmation that their supervisor will provide an additional $200 in financial support toward their travel expenses.
• We will be accepting trainees from across Canada. However, due to limited funds and capacity we cannot accept all applications. A review process will be used to determine the successful candidates.
• If you have any questions about the summer schools or applications, please email the Network Coordinator at rehabnet@uwo.ca
• Application deadline: April 7, 2026

This is an excellent opportunity for trainees and early-career researchers interested in enhancing the reach, impact, and real-world application of their MSK health research.

Apply here:  https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bgA62b2NB9U1DZs

Please read the application instructions carefully before submitting your application.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with trainees and colleagues who may be interested.