Finding a Supervisor

Dr. Katie Lye, IMS PhD Alumna, provides great insight on what you should consider when choosing a lab for your graduate studies.

Determine your research interests:

• Research in IMS is divided into seven themes:
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal
  • Endocrine, Gastroenterology
  • Infection, Immunology
  • Neuroscience, Brain Health
  • Population Health, Education
  • Regenerative Medicine, Development
• Look through the Supervisors Recruiting Students document. It is updated regularly each admissions cycle.
• Use the Faculty Search Tool to find Primary Investigators (P.I.'s) from your research theme of interest. You can narrow down the search further based on research interest key words and lab location.
• Once you have a shortlist of potential P.I.s visit their lab websites (if applicable), look up their recent publications, and get a clear sense of their research.

Please note:

• Some faculty members publicly announce when they are seeking new students via the Supervisors Recruiting Document and/or on their web profiles.
• Some faculty members prefer to review the skillsets of students who have reached out, and decide the needs of their lab based on that.
• If you'd like to work with a faculty member who hasn't specified that they're accepting new students, you are still welcome to contact them with a carefully tailored email. 
• Once you've narrowed down a few P.I.'s you are interested in working with begin contacting them.

All supervisors must hold an IMS appointment either as an Associate Member or Full Member to supervise students. An Associate Member (non-restricted) can supervise MSc students. Students in the PhD program or transferring from MSc to the PhD must have a supervisor with a Full Member appointment at IMS. 

A student can only be supervised by a faculty member of the department to which they are admitted to.

Although it does not constitute guaranteed‪ admission, identifying a potential supervisor is very helpful in deciding on a course of study and structuring the Letter of Intent required for the application.

• Domestic MSc‪ applicants can be accepted before identifying a supervisor, but cannot register without one.
• Domestic PhD applicants are required to identify a supervisor and provide an outline of their research project at the time of application. PhD applicants will not be accepted without a letter from the proposed supervisor confirming willingness to supervise and fund the applicant.
• All international students must identify a supervisor before applying, see here. 

Write your emails carefully. The emails you write to potential supervisors are:

• A job application.
• Your first impression on the faculty member.

Remember to:

• Tailor the email to the specific P.I. and their research.
• Explain why you are interested in their field and how you see yourself fitting into their lab.
• State your long term goals. If you plan to go to medical school, for example, it is advisable to note this.
• Attach a CV or resume and a transcript to your email.
• Keep the email relatively brief.
• Proofread for spelling and grammar.
• Copy any relevant lab managers, administrative assistants or research coordinators on your email.

Following up:

• If you don't hear back within a few weeks you may write a brief follow-up email.
• IMS faculty members have many competing demands, and interested in students who show initiative and persistence in a professional manner.
• If a P.I. has indicated they cannot accept you as their student you should respect that decision and move on to contacting other faculty members.

If a P.I. has indicated they're interested in taking you on as a graduate student, schedule an opportunity to speak with them.

• A virtual or in-person interview will help determine if the lab is a good fit for both of you.
• Use this opportunity to ensure you understand the lab's research and what your specific research project and role would be.
• Ask questions about the organization and management of the lab to ensure that it fits with your working and learning styles.
• Ask the P.I. to share contact information for some of their lab members or former graduate students and reach out to them as well.

Contact current or former lab members:

• Deciding on a lab is a big decision; make sure you have all the relevant information.
• Reach out to lab members by email and ask relevant questions such as:
  • What is the P.I.'s leadership style?
  • Do you enjoy working with the P.I.? Why or why not?
  • How often do you meet with the P.I. - individually and as a team?
  • Is the atmosphere collaborative or more independent?
  • If I am a particular type of learner, do you believe I will be supported in this lab?

Once you have secured a P.I., you must:

• Notify the IMS Admissions Officer.
• After the IMS approves the supervisory arrangement and you have set up your U of T email address, you will be invited to complete the GEMS Student - Supervisor Agreement Form online.