Study
The MBMC aims to attract and train students and postdoctoral fellows in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, university/hospital setting. We offer multiple training opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students/fellows. Read more about training at the MBMC
Current opportunities (Deadline: Friday March 28, 2025, 5pm ET)
Postdoctoral fellowships
- Development of an AI-driven behavioural ehealth intervention
- Evidence Syntheses and Systematic Review Methodology
- Behaviour Change Communication Training for Healthcare Professionals (MOTIVATOR Program)
Past opportunities (Examples only)
PhD
- Behaviour Change Communication Training for Healthcare Professionals (MOTIVATOR Program)
- Systematic Reviews/Evidence Syntheses, and Guideline Development/Implementation (META)
- iCARE Study (International Assessment of COVID-19-related Attitudes, Concerns, Responses and Impacts in Relation to Public Health Policies Study)
- Development of an AI-driven behavioural e-health intervention
MSc
- Behaviour Change Communication Training for Healthcare Professionals (MOTIVATOR Program)
- Longitudinal Health Consequences of Bariatric Surgery (REBORN)
- Development of an AI-driven behavioural e-health intervention
Ongoing opportunities
Internship/Volunteer Opportunities
We are always looking for students to participate in internships or to volunteer. To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in a Quebec university and your internships must be tied to an academic course at your university.
If you are an international students, you must be involved in an official internship program (e.g. Mitacs) through a Quebec-based university.
For volunteer positions, you must get an authorization from your university.
Please note that the MBMC does not offer paid internships.
More about Training at the MBMC
Our team includes students and fellows from five local universities (Concordia University, Université du Québec à Montréal, McGill University, Université de Sherbrooke, and Université de Montréal). Our team members come from a variety of backgrounds but generally work in the fields of psychology, exercise science, kinesiology, or medicine.
The MBMC puts a heavy emphasis on developing clinical research skills in their students:
- Clinical trial design and delivery training
- Epidemiology
- Psychometrics
- Research techniques in psychophysiology and functional assessment (e.g., exercise testing)
- Interview skills and general data collection techniques
- Data entry, management and statistical analysis
- Manuscript writing
- Conference presentations
- Applying for scholarship/grant funding.
Approximately 90% of our team members obtain external federal or provincial funding, and there are additional funding opportunities offered directly by the MBMC.
We also offer the opportunity to apply for postdoctoral, PhD, masters, medical fellows, and undergraduate level grants.
Due to ongoing institutional and provincial agreements there are also a number of opportunities for international students and fellows interested in completing degrees or short-term training at the MBMC.
The MBMC is committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment. Learn more about our EDI policy.
The MBMC provides a state-of-the-art research and training environment in the areas of behavioural medicine, behavioural epidemiology and psychophysiology, all within a dynamic, multidisciplinary, university/hospital setting.
Multiple Expert Environments
Our members have the opportunity to work in multiple environments including general hospitals, specialty hospitals, outpatient clinics, and universities. They also have the opportunity to interact with and learn from researchers with various areas of expertise including basic/fundamental research, clinical research, epidemiology, pharmacology, health economics, statistics, and psychosocial-behavioural research.
Clinical Research Sites
The two main clinical research sites of the MBMC (the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal and the Montreal Heart Institute) offer trainees at all levels the opportunity to learn new skills in an exciting, hands-on, clinical research environment. Both research sites are funded by the FRSQ and are affiliated with the Université de Montréal.
Learning Opportunities
The MBMC provides access to training seminars, lectures, journal clubs, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) workshops.
Research Support
The MBMC research sites also offer outstanding research support including audio-visual services, library services, and scholarships.
Annual Student Research Days
The MBMC further encourage training and mentorship through annual Student Research Days. These events feature the work of trainees and provide students an opportunity to showcase their work among peers and senior researchers.
Student Awards
Competitive student awards are also available through the MBMC which serve to encourage and reward excellence.
Expectations of Graduate Students
Find here a summary of what is expected of undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students working within the MBMC.
1. Prospective students are advised to arrange a meeting either with Dr. Simon Bacon or Dr. Kim Lavoie and to tour the University and the associated laboratories before applying to a graduate programme.
2. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree under the MBMC’s supervision are highly recommended to apply for graduate student funding (from agencies such as CIHR, FRSQ, Heart and Stroke, and SSHRC) before commencing their graduate programme (preferably a year in advance).
If this is not feasible, students are required to apply for funding upon starting their programme. Applications for national and provincial awards are generally due in September and October. Over 95% of our current students hold graduate student funding.
3. Graduate students under the MBMC’s supervision are expected to work on their studies on a daily full-time basis. Students should expect to dedicate a minimum of 40 hours (with an average of 50 hours) per week to their studies. This will routinely require working on the weekends.
4. The summer months are generally the most productive periods for research activities in our laboratory. Therefore, graduate students are required to conduct their studies throughout the year, including the summer months.
5. Graduate students are expected to be involved in professional development events such as attending and/or presenting their research findings at local, national and/or international conferences.
6. Masters students are expected to finish their degree within a two-year period. Non-clinical psychology doctorate students are expected to finish their degree within a three- to four-year period. Clinical psychology students are expected to complete the degree (including all internships) within a five-year period.
7. During their graduate studies, graduate students are expected to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals. A general guideline for recommended publications and presentations for MSc and PhD students is as follows:
Presentations (1-2 per year):
- MSc (2-3 in total)
- PhD (6-8 in total)
Publications (1-2 per year):
- MSc (2-3 in total)
- PhD (4-8 in total)
8. Graduate students are expected to assist fellow graduate students and undergraduate students under MBMC’s supervision in their research projects.
9. Students are encouraged to take advantage of Montreal and its unique surroundings and to enjoy their time as a graduate student.
International students wishing to apply also need to plan ahead in order to leave enough time to arrange visas and other travel/immigration documents. For more information, please visit Immigration Canada.
Steps to apply:
1. Please email your CV, copies of your transcripts including GPA’s or equivalent, and a letter of intent detailing which university, program, and supervisor you wish to work with, as well as your research interests and the project on which you would like to apply, to our Administrative Director Guillaume Lacoste.
2. Explore funding opportunities
3. International students only: Contact the international office of your destination university for information about immigration and applying for visas.
You will be contacted for a possible interview with the team.