Clinical Research Fellowship in Advanced Systemic Therapies, Gynecologic Cancers
University of British Columbia and BC Cancer
Vancouver, BC
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Term: 1-2 years (Start date: September 2025, negotiable)
Fellowship supervisory team: Drs Anna Tinker and Yvette Drew
The Division of Medical Oncology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leader in cancer research, teaching, and clinical care focused on the nature, causes, and treatment of cancer in adults. UBC's Department of Medicine is the largest in the Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,200 faculty and staff.
The Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UBC is renowned for its innovative clinical and research contributions to gynecologic cancer care. The Division works, in close collaboration with BC Cancer Gynecological Medical Oncology and other partner institutions. This collaboration ensures that the fellowship offers a unique combination of both medical oncology and gynecologic oncology perspectives.
About the Fellowship:
The University of British Columbia and BC Cancer -Vancouver are offering a one- or two-year Clinical Research Fellowship Program in Advanced Systemic Therapies, focusing on gynecologic cancers. This training program provides a unique opportunity for medical oncology or gynecologic oncology fellows to undertake advanced clinical training and research at BC Cancer's world-class facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia. Under the mentorship of experts in Gynecological Cancer Medical Oncology and Translational Medicine, fellows will gain practical and in-depth experience in the use of systemic therapies including antibody drug conjugates, complex immunotherapies and novel targeted therapies through experimental medicines early phase clinical trials.
The fellowship is designed to provide fellows with advanced clinical training and education in the diagnosis, management and systemic treatment of gynecologic cancers. Fellows will spend time in medical oncology clinical settings, directly managing patients undergoing systemic therapies for gynecologic cancers. They will have the opportunity to engage in experimental medicines through phase 1/2 clinical trials, working with novel drugs and exploring emerging treatment options for gynecologic malignancies. The fellowship provides opportunities to learn about advanced immunotherapies including bispecific antibodies and cellular therapies.
Fellows gain experience in the setup, coordination, and delivery of early phase clinical trials, and gain exposure to the complexities of trial design and implementation, including patient recruitment, toxicity management, safety calls with study teams and regulatory processes.
Fellows at our site will have the unique opportunity to work alongside a multidisciplinary and specialized team within the Provincial Gynecologic Tumour Group. This multidisciplinary approach brings together experts in medical oncology, gynecologic oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, survivorship, psychology, hereditary cancer testing, nursing and research, creating an integrated environment for comprehensive patient care and cutting-edge research.
Gynecologic oncology fellows will also have the opportunity to enrich their learning through elective blocks in gynecologic oncology surgery, gaining further hands-on experience and exposure to a variety of surgical procedures through close collaboration with the surgical oncology team.
In addition to the clinical training, fellows will be provided opportunities to develop research skills in clinical trial design and execution. They will have access to formal training in trial design, offered by BC Cancer and the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative and opportunities to engage in national initiatives through the centres existing affiliation to GOC and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group. Fellows will actively participate in clinical research such as initiating self-driven projects and participating in ongoing research programs across the gynecological cancer spectrum. This includes experience writing trial protocols, grant applications, submission to Ethics boards, analyzing trial data, and presenting their findings at local, national, and international conferences. Fellows will also have opportunities to prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
A minimum of fifty percent of the fellow's time is protected for clinical research, providing ample opportunities to engage in research projects in clinical trials, real- world outcomes, quality improvement, and translational sciences. The program aims to prepare fellows to become leaders in the field of gynecologic oncology and advanced systemic therapies/precision cancer medicine, equipping them with the clinical expertise and research experience necessary to advance the treatment and understanding of gynecologic cancers.
Opportunities in the Training Program:
The fellowship offers several unique opportunities for professional and academic growth, including:
Multidisciplinary Care Exposure - Immersion into a dedicated Gynecological Cancer Medical Oncology Team, including a variety of allied healthcare professionals (pharmacists, nurse practitioners, etc.), enhancing comprehensive patient care.
Experimental Medicines Clinical Trials Research - Gain experience in managing patients in early phase clinical trials as part of the BC Cancer provincial phase 1 team. Exposure to first in human studies of novel cancer drugs. Opportunities to learn about advanced immunotherapies including bispecific antibodies and cellular therapies.
Outcomes Research - Access the Gynecologic Cancer Outcomes Database and tissue bank to participate in impactful research.
Genome Sciences Centre - Engage with projects like the Personalized Oncogenomics Program (POG), expanding expertise in genomic research.
Quality Initiatives - Contribute to quality assurance projects, improving healthcare practices within gynecological cancer care.
Teaching Experience - Fellows can explore earning teaching credits by participating in UBC small group sessions.
Eligibility:
The Fellow will have completed specialist medical oncology or gynecologic oncology residency program (or equivalent) before starting their fellowship and must be eligible for licensure in British Columbia. For non-native English speakers, a TOEFL is required.
Important Dates:
Application Submission deadline: June 30th, 2025
Fellowship Start Date: September 2025, negotiable
Fellowship Term: One (1) or two (2) - year terms available
Funding:
Salary will follow the guidelines set forth by the Resident Doctors of BC. This fellowship is supported by BC Cancer Foundation through an educational grant award from GlaxoSmithKine.
Application and Selection Process:
To apply, applicants must submit their applications via the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative Applications Electronic Portal, including the following required documents:
Curriculum Vitae (max 4 pages) - Highlighting relevant experience, qualifications, and skills pertinent to the fellowship.
Statement of Interest (500 words) - A concise summary of your academic background, training, and professional interests. Explain why you are interested in applying for this fellowship, how it aligns with your career goals, and the potential impact it will have on your professional development.
References - The names and contacts of three professional references, including one from your current position.
Applications will be reviewed by a selected Committee, with shortlisted candidates invited for an interview.
Final decision will be based on the following criteria:
Overall quality and qualifications of the applicant
Clarity and focus of research interests, alignment with program goals
Interview performance and presentation
Contact: Should you have any questions, please email the BC Cancer Residency Training Program at medoncresprog@bccancer.bc.ca
What we do
BC Cancer is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, providing cancer care to over 5 million people in British Columbia and Yukon. The BC Cancer Research Centre, located next to the BC Cancer - Vancouver Cancer Centre, offers a world- class research environment with state-of-the-art platforms for genomics, bioinformatics, imaging, drug development, and tissue banking.
BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people - Be compassionate - Dare to innovate - Create equity - Be courageous.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA's North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.
