The TST program is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in biomedical research in the Faculty of Medicine. 

By participating in the program, you will gain:

• An opportunity to develop new academic and professional skills to enhance employability;
• Experience in research as a ‘test-drive’ before embarking on future research studies;
• Access to research networks and connections with staff and postgraduate students;
• Supervision by world-class uO researchers;
• Access to leading-edge facilities;
• The possibility of obtaining credit towards your degree. 

Duration of the program  

The program lasts 15 weeks during the summer semester (May to mid-August). 

Time commitment 

Since the TST is a research program, you are expected to conduct laboratory research 19 hours per week.  

Students must register for and complete the following courses: TMM4311, TMM4906, and TMM4907. 

The TST program is open to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at the University of Ottawa at the time of application, even if it’s not in the TMM program.

You can apply to the TST program if you:

• Are studying for a degree relevant to the research being pursued.
• Have a high level of academic achievement during their undergraduate degree. 

International students 

If you are an international student, you must ensure that you continue to meet your visa requirements while participating in the program. If not, you will need to ensure that your visa allows you to remain in Canada for the duration of the program.  

Find a supervisor 

To apply, you need to identify a Faculty of Medicine Supervisor who will accept you in their laboratory for the summer and pay your TST stipend. 

Scientists who offer TST positions are in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the School of Epidemiology and Public Health. 

Submit your application form 

You need to submit a completed application form and supporting documentation by the deadline. You must email your application as one PDF file to [email protected] 

Salary for 2025 will be announced later this year since students are remunerated as per CUPE2626 hourly salary rate.

Archives (2024)

• Students are paid a salary of $28.75/hour for the 19 hours of laboratory work during each of the 15 weeks of the TST program. The 2024 salary is dependent on the CUPE2626 collective agreement.
• The salary is conditional on performing 19 hours of laboratory work per week and successful completion of the compulsory courses.

• WiBR gives TMM students an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a laboratory environment while their supervisor enhances the TMM student’s education.
• WiBR will be applied as a deduction from the student’s summer stipend.  
• In 2023, approximately 45% of TST students were awarded a WiBR.

Value of the scholarship

WiBR will pay for $3,500 of the student’s summer stipend.

Application

Applicants for the TST program are automatically considered for the WiBR. No additional application is necessary.  

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be assessed by Faculty of Medicine researchers. Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis taking into account:

• The quality of the project proposal
• The academic merit of the applicant
• The reasons provided for wanting to participate in the program

A strong GPA is advantageous 

The three courses required to complete the TST program are recognized as courses in the TMM program. If you come from another faculty, you should seek academic advice from your own academic unit regarding recognition for participation in the TST program.