Ward Summer Research Student - Jacob Elle

Status: Temporary Full Time (1.00 FTE)

Compensation: $17.60/hr

Start Date: May 4, 2026

End Date: July 24,2026

Supervisor: Dr. Jacob Ellegood

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 Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has ranked amongst Canada’s top 40 research hospitals for more than a decade. Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers, Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Canada's 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. BRI’s 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.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affect millions of children worldwide and are still primarily diagnosed based on behavior. However, children who present similarly can have profoundly different underlying neurobiology. Recent research from our lab shows that children cluster into meaningful neuroanatomical subgroups based on patterns of brain organization rather than diagnosis alone.

This project will build on that work by investigating microstructural white matter differences using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). This analysis will help identify underlying neurodevelopmental mechanisms and contribute to more precise, mechanism based subgrouping of NDDs.

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

• Conduct neuroimaging analyses, including diffusion imaging processing
• Perform computer-based data analysis (R and other Tools)
• Contribute to scientific writing and documentation
• Collaborate with research team members and participate in lab activities

• Enrolled in an Undergraduate Neuroscience or Physics program
• Adequate level of programming skills (any language; R experience is an asset)
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities
• Interest in neuroimaging, neurodevelopment, or brain based research

Please submit the following in one (1) pdf file in the order indicated below:

• A copy of your most recent curriculum vitae (CV)
• A copy of your most recent unofficial university transcript
• A list of two referees (recent professors, previous employers) who may be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation in the event you are shortlisted for the position. Please include the full name of referee, title/position, name of institution, institutional email address and phone number

Any applications missing this information will not be accepted.