In November 2021, JDRF Canada and the Stem Cell Network partnered to announce the JDRF-SCN National Fellowship Program in Type 1 Diabetes, a new opportunity for high-calibre postdocs from across Canada with expertise in stem cells, regenerative medicine, immunology or related fields to join the JDRF Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to pursue research focused on treating and curing type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The deadline to apply has been extended to April 25, 2022.

Watch an informational video about the program from Jim Johnson, one of the leaders at the JDRF Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia and the deputy director of the UBC Life Sciences Institute.

Potential Project Titles

Upon receipt of the award, the successful applicant will work with a UBC laboratory affiliated with the Centre on a specific project of interest in an area of T1D research of relevance to regenerative medicine and/or stem cells, including but not limited to:

Optimizing stem-cell derived beta cell maturation by harnessing metabolism

Supervising investigators:

• Dr. Francis Lynn, Associate Professor, UBC Department of Surgery, and Scientist, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
• Dr. Dan Luciani, Associate Professor, UBC Department of Surgery, and Scientist BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute

Sex differences in beta cell identity during maturation and stresses associated with T1D

Supervising investigators:

• Dr. James Johnson, Professor, Life Sciences Institute, UBC
• Dr. Elizabeth Rideout, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences Institute, UBC

Engineering metabolic pathways in innate immune cells for T1D tolerance and beta cell regeneration

Supervising investigators:

• Dr. Bruce Verchere, Professor, UBC Departments of Surgery and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
• Dr. Ramon Klein Geltink, Assistant Professor, UBC Dept of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute

Building better beta-cells from stem cells via non-cell autonomous YAP signaling

Supervising investigators:

• Dr. James Johnson, Professor, Life Sciences Institute, UBC
• Dr. Janel Kopp, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences Institute, UBC

Assessment of differentiated immune-evasive stem cells for the treatment of diabetes

Supervising investigators:

• Dr. Timothy Kieffer, Professor, Life Sciences Institute, UBC
• Dr. David Thompson, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC, and Medical Director, Vancouver General Hospital Diabetes Centre

Applicant Eligibility

The applicant must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DMD, DVM), or the equivalent from an accredited institution by June 1, 2022, and must not be simultaneously serving an internship or residency.

Application Process

Applications can be made in English or French, but applicants should note that the primary language of communication at the JDRF Centre of Excellence at UBC is English.

Increasing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation and creativity. JDRF Canada and the Stem Cell Network are committed to excellence through EDI, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to this funding opportunity.

Access and submit full applications to Stem Cell Network via ProposalCentral.

Terms

$60,000 per year, of which $50,000 is stipend and $10,000 is research allowance.

It is expected that funding for the fellow beyond the one year of support through the JDRF-SCN Fellowship Program in Type 1 Diabetes will be obtained from supervisors’ grants and/or other internal or external fellowships.

Timeline

Funding opportunity launch		January 14, 2022
Application deadline		April 25, 2022, 17:00 ET
Notice of decision		July 4, 2022
Applicants notified of outcome of phase 1 review		May 31, 2022
Funding start date		August 1, 2022
		(September 15, 2022 latest)