Nominated Trainee Membership – Call for nominees
The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) is an integrated network for researchers, trainees and partners working to confront infectious disease challenges. We unite members across the University of Toronto and its hospital partners to accelerate cross-disciplinary work in the understanding of infectious diseases and development of new countermeasures against pathogens. A key pillar of EPIC’s work is training the next generation of infectious disease research leaders that will help stop future pandemics and reduce the societal burdens of infectious disease.
In order to build our network of senior and engaged trainee members, EPIC principal investigators are encouraged to nominate trainees from their lab for full EPIC membership. These nominated trainee members will have priority access to EPIC events, receive first notification of all EPIC awards and support announcements, and have opportunities to sit on committees to shape the future direction of EPIC.
EPIC is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
Eligibility
- Currently a PhD student (third year or beyond), postdoctoral fellow or research associate
- Engaged in research projects that have an infectious disease focus
- Primary supervisor must have a primary affiliation at the University of Toronto or one of EPIC’s partner hospitals (the Hospital for Sick Children, the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Unity Health Toronto and the University Health Network)
Benefits and Duration
Priority access to EPIC events and programs for as long as they continue their infectious disease research with the same supervisor.
Nomination materials
The nomination letter should be sent to epic@utoronto.ca with “Trainee membership” in the subject line. Once we receive the nomination letter, we will contact the nominee with the form to fill out.
Please briefly comment on the nominee’s research and leadership accomplishments and future potential within the field of infectious disease (maximum 250 words).
The letter must be from the primary supervisor but does not need to be on official letterhead.
Please send nomination letters to epic@utoronto.ca with “Trainee Membership” in the subject line.
Nominees will be asked to complete an online form once their nomination letter has been received. The form will require the following information:
- Nominee information (name, email, institution, division*, unit/department*)
- Supervisor information (name email, institution, division*, unit/department*)
- Co-supervisor information*
- Project title
Nominee Statement (maximum 250 words): summarize how your research aligns with EPIC’s infectious disease-focused mandate and how you hope to benefit from participation in EPIC.
Demographic Survey
Both the nominator and the nominee will be asked to complete our demographic survey. While this survey is required, there is an option to select “Prefer not to answer” for all questions.
Deadline
Nominations will be accepted and evaluated throughout the year.