Eyes High postdoctoral program open for fall 2022 intake until Nov. 4

Since its inception in 2014, the Eyes High Postdoctoral Program has brought over 345 postdoctoral scholars to the UCalgary campus. It is the university’s flagship postdoctoral funding program, and a source of both pride and impact for the institution.

“Over the years, we have hosted many tremendously accomplished postdocs thanks to the Eyes High program,” says Dr. Penny Pexman, associate vice-president (research) and postdoctoral program director.

“These scholars have gone on to receive Banting and Killam postdoctoral fellowships, participate in our Postdoc Research Slam, and be hired at prestigious institutions around the world.”

The Eyes High Postdoctoral Match-Funding Program is now open for fall intake until Nov. 4, 2022. The program is a 50-50 salary-matching package and provides $25,000 per year for up to 20 new postdocs for the fall intake.

Supervisors of Eyes High postdocs must provide a salary matching the university’s contribution and provide employer-paid benefits. However, when an Eyes High postdoc is awarded external funding, the supervisor portion of their salary will be pro-rated, and the Eyes High funding will be reallocated to other individuals.

While the match-funding program is only available for one postdoc per faculty member per intake, the flexibility it offers for sharing funds creates more opportunities to attract the world’s best early career researchers to the university.

“We have seen some creative funding approaches by faculty to reach the 50 per cent salary requirement for the program,” says Pexman. “Industry or community partners, cost-splitting between two faculty members, and other external funding options are all options that have been proposed.”

This program aims to attract top-tier postdocs who will be new to UCalgary at the start of their appointment. As highly competitive candidates for external awards, these researchers are expected to contribute to advancing UCalgary’s strategic research and innovation plan.

Interested applicants must have received their PhD from an institution other than UCalgary and must have confirmation of a faculty supervisor’s commitment to match funding for a full-time postdoctoral position.

The current intake is open until Nov. 4, 2022. Applications should include a research project proposal, CV, confirmation of PhD completion, the faculty supervisor’s confirmation, and a detailed plan for external funding applications. Full application details are available on the Eyes High Postdoctoral Program website.