Training Opportunities

To quote a famous slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”. Here in Ontario, there is a growing pool of brilliant, highly qualified neuroscientists whose potential would be largely untapped without the right catalyst. It would be truly unfortunate if the proverbial brain drain happened here in Ontario.

There is a genuine need for training programs that can harness the talents of these very highly qualified people. That’s why we’ve created several initiatives focused on helping neuroscientists bridge the gap between academia and outside related fields. The aims of these initiatives are to:

  • Build capacity for a knowledge-based economy in Ontario.
  • Create expertise in a determined area of need in Ontario: the management of neuroscience research, knowledge translation, and commercialization of neuroscience.
  • Increase employment options for neuroscientists – qualifying them for high-quality jobs, that contribute to a knowledge-based economy.

By channeling scientific human capital, we can build the entrepreneurship capacity and management talent in Ontario.

Our opportunities include:

  • OBI Entrepreneurs

The Ontario Brain Institute Entrepreneurs is a one-year, paid program to support researchers and the development of new companies to address issues in neuroscience. Successful candidates will work with the OBI and its partners through a phased program to develop their entrepreneurial skills and commercialize their neuroscience idea.

(The 2012 competition is now closed. Meet the 2012 OBI Entrepreneurs here)

  • OBI GO - Internships

The Ontario Brain Institute Graduate Opportunities (OBI GO) Internships program is partnering with the FedDev Ontario sponsored Graduate Enterprise Internships (GEI) program. This joint effort is administered through the Department of Engineering at University of Toronto and provides 6 month internships in the neuroscience industry. Internship opportunities will provide experience away from "the bench", for neuroscience-related researchers.  Candidates may be currently enrolled, or recently (3-5 years) graduated from any neuroscience or related degree or program across Ontario. Candidates must register for this opportunity through the GEI website and list Ontario Brain Institute under “How did you learn about the program” on the registration form, which will provide access to job postings from a variety of industry partners.

  • OBI GO - Management Fellowships

The Ontario Brain Institute Graduate Opportunities - Management Fellowships program will produce well-rounded R&D managers and administrators. The fellowships will cover concepts in five identified modules: Management, Administration, Health Policy, Knowledge Translation, and Communication. This program will be open to candidates who have completed a PhD, or are in process of completing a PhD, who wish to gain training in all five modules.

(Coming Fall 2013) 

 

For more information on these and other programs, contact us at eei@braininstitute.ca