ResearchHub Login
BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)TrainingFind a Research Supervisor

Find a Research Supervisor

Before applying to the Summer Student Research Program, you must first secure a research supervisor. It is the student’s responsibility to identify and contact potential supervisors.

Researchers often commit to students well before the application deadline, so you are strongly encouraged to begin this process as early as possible.

Eligibility reminder: Your primary supervisor must be a BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) Investigator at BC Children’s Hospital whose research focuses on improving the health of children and families. Affiliate Investigators are not eligible.

Step 1

Explore Our Research Themes

We have four research themes: Brain, Behaviour & Development | Childhood Diseases | Evidence to Innovation | Healthy Starts

Each theme includes specialized research groups focused on key areas. Explore these groups to identify where your interests align.

Step 2

Identify Potential Research Supervisors

Once you’ve narrowed down your research interests, browse our researchers. Create a shortlist of potential research supervisors with research interests similar to your own.

The majority of Summer Students had no prior contact with a research supervisor before they first reached out.

Other ways that past Summer Students secured a supervisor include: they were already working with a research team at BCCHR (as a directed studies student, volunteer, work learn student or co-op student), they knew the supervisor from a university course or from working or volunteering at BC Children’s Hospital, they were recommended by a peer or program advisor, or they were directly recruited or applied to a posted position.

Step 3

Establish a Connection

Reach out to potential supervisors.

When contacting potential research supervisors, we recommend:

  • Introducing yourself, your academic credentials, and your work experience
  • Attaching your CV/resume and/or transcripts
  • Telling them why you think they would make a good fit as your supervisor
  • If you already have funding, specifying the source, value, and duration of your funding
  • Providing an overview of your research interests, activities, and any scholarly publications; and offering to meet with the research team (in person or remotely).

When polled, supervisors said they were looking for scholarly achievement, interpersonal skills, passion for the subject matter, communication skills, previous research experience an demonstrated research skills and abilities.

Don’t forget about general email etiquette! Emails should use proper, professional and respectful language. Avoid generic emails that are copied and pasted, supervisors are looking for a personalized introduction, you need to demonstrate why you’re passionate about working with them.

No response? Many investigators receive 8–13+ inquiries each summer and may not be able to respond to all. If you don’t hear back, consider reaching out to other potential supervisors. 

Step 4

Finalize Expectations

Once the supervisor has agreed to have you as part of their research team, remember to discuss expectations before you finalize your decision.

– Establish working expectations involving your start and end date, working hours, funding source, etc.
– Determine the research expectations involving your research project, general duties, frequency of student-supervisor meetings, support and communication expectations, etc.

Now you’re ready to apply to the program!