PhD: Behaviour Change Communication Training for Healthcare Professionals (MOTIVATOR Program)
Project summary
This MOTIVATOR Program is a pan-Canadian study designed to test a behaviour change communication training program targeting physicians, nurses, and allied healthcare providers working in the area of chronic disease management. It offers training in Motivational Communication (MC), a flexible communication style rooted in the behavioural sciences. Using a variety of methodological techniques, the study will test various doses and instructional methods of this core intervention.
Position summary
The individual who is selected for this position will be expected to help the study PIs, Drs. Kim Lavoie and Simon Bacon, in delivering the project. They will have the opportunity to work with the national investigative team consisting of experts in: behaviour change communication training programs; behavioural intervention and digital intervention development; the application of motivation and behaviour change theories to intervention design (including digital); behavioural trial methodology; and integrated knowledge translation/patient-oriented research.
The PhD student will be able to work on a variety of research-related aspects of the study including:
- Behavioural intervention development and design (including digital)
- Delivery and assessment of behaviour change communication skills and training programs
- Behavioural trial methods and reporting
- Participating in knowledge user engagement activities
- Qualitative and quantitative methods and analyses (including validation studies)
- Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and reporting
Required Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in a related discipline (g., Psychology, Physiology, Kinesiology/Exercise Science, Medicine, Public Health) if applying to Concordia or a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology if applying to Université du Québec à Montréal
- Prior experience conducting research in at least one of the following areas
- Chronic disease prevention (primary, secondary, or tertiary)
- Behavioural intervention development and testing
- Healthcare communication / behaviour change counselling / motivational communication
- Demonstrated research productivity (e.g., conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, master’s thesis, honours thesis)
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Preference will be given to candidates with:
- Experience using integrated stakeholder engagement strategies
- Openness to learn new methods and techniques in an applied clinical setting
- Experience with student mentoring and supervision
- Ability to communicate (orally) in both English and French
Provincial, national, and international candidates are encouraged to apply
Start date, Duration, Stipend, and Location
The PhD can start in September 2027 (though there is also the possibility of starting during the summer of 2027).
The funding package consists of a minimum 4-year stipend (consistent with Fonds de Recherche du Quebec funding levels) plus conference / training funding.
The successful candidate will be registered either at Concordia University in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology or in the Department of Psychology (www.concordia.ca), or at Université du Québec à Montréal (www.uqam.ca) in the Department of Psychology; the actual work would be conducted at the Santé Québec Nord-de-l’Île-de Montréal – Universitaire, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal (https://rechercheciusssnim.ca/). Please note that the language of instruction is English at Concordia and French at Université du Québec à Montréal.
How to apply
To apply, candidates must complete the online application form and upload the following documents:
- A complete curriculum vitae, including a summary of GPAs and a full publication list (including hyperlinks where possible)
- A letter of motivation and statement of research accomplishments and future research goals, which should be no longer than 2 pages
- At least one written example of a research-focused output, e.g., research article, honours thesis, master’s thesis, class-based research paper
Queries about the application should be sent to apply@mbmc-cmcm.ca.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, November 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET. Interviews will be conducted in December 2026 and January 2027. The successful candidate will need to apply to the University by the official application deadline.