• Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
• Cellular and Molecular Medicine & Neuroscience
• Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine
• Clinical Science and Translational Medicine 

Graduate supervision is one of the most important aspects of graduate studies! Your supervisor will act as an academic mentor and play a key role in guiding you in your research.  

Make sure you are well-informed before you approach any potential supervisors.

Here is some advice to follow before you make the first contact:

• When possible, talk to professors in the academic unit about your field of interest, and find out who would be best able to supervise you.
• Read the scholarly publications of potential thesis supervisors to see if their field of research and methods are tailored to the topic or project you have in mind.
• Read research papers or theses written by students who have been supervised by the potential supervisor.
• Talk to other students.
• Find out about the research infrastructure available (laboratory and other facilities of your potential supervisor).
• Make a list of questions to ask during the interview with the potential supervisor and points to be addressed.
• When meeting with a potential supervisor, you should make sure to come prepared with as much information as possible about your topic of interest. 

Send an e-mail to a potential supervisor to introduce yourself, make sure that you:

• State clearly, what your interests are and how they match those of the professors you are contacting
• Include information on your academic background and research experience

Do not send generic letters or emails!

Read an article written by a professor in the Science Magazine on what to write in your e-mail to potential thesis supervisors 

Once you’ve successfully connected with a potential supervisor, ask to meet with them one on one. Make sure that you come prepared to the meeting! Here are some helpful tips:

1. Come with as much information about your research topic as possible.
2. Make a list of questions you would like to ask.
3. Write down any issues or concerns you would like to discuss.

You should also arrange a tour of the lab to find out what research infrastructure (laboratory or other facilities) your supervisor has.

If you are unable to arrange an onsite visit, we suggest arranging a telephone or virtual meeting.

Meet the students and other lab members being supervised by your potential supervisor

This is a critical aspect of finding the right lab for you. The lab members will be your day-to-day colleagues and major source of scientific interactions/support will come from them throughout your graduate work. Be sure to ask about their work, hear about their projects, lab interactions, etc

Remember that the relationship you are about to establish is a reciprocal one. Professors are not obliged to agree to supervise a student if they feel the collaboration will not be productive due to a lack of compatibility, laboratory space, time or money.

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself after your meeting:

• Does your topic interest this professor?
• Do you think that this professor's approach (philosophical and theoretical) is compatible enough for an eventual collaboration?
• Can you communicate with this person freely?
• Does the available laboratory space suit you?
• What financial support could you receive through the grants or contracts administered by this professor? (Some programs have minimum funding requirements.)
• Will you have the opportunity to participate in conferences and publications and to prepare grant applications?
• Do you agree on how your collaboration will unfold? Do your expectations in terms of rights and responsibilities appear to coincide?
• How frequently can you meet with your supervisor?
• How much time will this professor need to give you feedback on your ideas and draft chapters? It is particularly important to address this question very early on. Frequent contact with the supervisor, who gives feedback on the project, on how experiments are to be performed, on changes to be made after obtaining the first findings, etc. is essential to your progress.
• Will this professor be available during the preparation and writing of your thesis? 

A maximum of two professors may be designated to supervise the same student.

Primary Supervisor

The primary supervisor is an active mentor in the scientific development of the student. They meet regularly with the student and are accessible in responding to the student’s queries.

They must be a primary appointed, cross-appointed, or an adjunct member of the program.

Here are some of the responsibilities of the primary supervisor:

• Supervise and support the development of the research proposal and assess the final version.
• Ensure that the subject of the research proposal is suitable and feasible within the allotted time period.
• Provide timely review of all written material submitted to them by the student.
• Review, comment on, and approve the research prior to the submission.  
• Identify examiners and obtain their approval to examine the thesis/research project prior to the submission.
• Verify that the student has received the safety training that is required by law for the project, and that the student is made aware of the optional safety training that is available.

Co-Supervisor

The nomination of a co-supervisor is not mandatory.

The co-supervisor can complement the supervisor’s advice by contributing specific skills or knowledge. They provide timely review of all written material submitted by the student. They review, comment, and approve the thesis/research project prior to submission.

Find more information on the  thesis supervision page.

You must submit the stipend form and confirmation of research supervision form found on our forms page.

Registration to courses will not be possible before approval has been received from the Graduate Studies Office. 

What happens if I cannot find a supervisor?

Can I defer my application if I cannot find a supervisor?  

Do you have a list of professors who are taking students?  

Can I submit my application without confirming the name of my supervisor?