POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH
Welcome to Université Laval!
Université Laval, the oldest French-Language university in North America, is today one of the leading research universities in
Canada. With numerous funded research groups, Université Laval is a dynamic institution of international reputation.
Each year, a large number of postdoctoral researchers – most from abroad – become part of this stimulating and fertile
environment.
What is a postdoctoral researcher?
Postdoctoral researchers are people who have held a Ph.D. or the equivalent (notably M.D./Ph.D. program graduates) for
less than five years and have undertaken to acquire complementary or more specialized expertise in their field of research.
An additional five years may be granted for graduation requirements (bringing the total period of eligibility to ten years since
obtaining the diploma) to any person who left the labor market and stopped active research for maternity or child-rearing, for
a period of at least one year after receiving the required diploma.
Postdoctoral researchers play a vital role in the success and growth of research at Université Laval. Their active participation
in research groups promotes the free flow of ideas and provides impetus in many fields of knowledge. Postdoctoral
researchers are also considered an important intellectual resource whose teaching assistance in university courses
contribute to the quality of academic programs.
A postdoctoral research term generally lasts one to four years. It may not exceed five years or be less than six months, and
can begin at any time of the year.
Getting started
The first step is to find and contact a professor who will agree to be your postdoctoral supervisor. For a list of researchers
in your field and research projects underway, visit the Vice rectorat à la recherche et à la création website.
The professor who agrees to supervise your training will send you an official letter of invitation. Together, you must
determine an arrival date and make arrangements for an appointment.
Admission and registration
Once in Québec City, you must go to your research unit at Université Laval (institute, faculty, department, school, or center)
to pick up a copy of Form REG-160-AD Admission et inscription à un stage postdoctoral. This form must be completed by
the postdoctoral researcher and signed by the professor supervising your training.
You must then go to the Université Laval Registrar’s Office. You must provide the following documents:
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Form REG-160-AD, duly completed and signed
A copy of your letter of invitation from your postdoctoral supervisor at Université Laval
An up-to-date curriculum vitæ
An official document indicating the date your Ph.D. was granted
An official birth certificate or a legible copy
If you are not a Canadian citizen, you must also provide the following documents:
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The original work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Proof of health and hospital insurance coverage that is valid in Canada for the entire duration of your postdoctoral
research term
If the file is complete, the Registrar's Office will formalize your admission and will issue an identity card.
Important: Whatever your source of funding, you must register to keep your status as a postdoctoral research.
Not from Canada?
Start the approval process for coming to Québec as soon as you receive your letter of invitation from your postdoctoral
supervisor at Université Laval.
Canadian law requires that postdoctoral researchers obtain a work permit if they are not Canadian citizens or permanent
residents. Depending on your country of origin, a temporary resident visa may also be required to enter Canada. Check the
list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visa.
Health and hospital insurance
You must have valid health and hospital insurance coverage to conduct research in Québec. You will be asked for the
originals of documents issued by Canadian and Québec immigration authorities. You must therefore contact the Régie de
l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in the days following your arrival to make the necessary arrangements.
Except in certain cases, Canadian citizens and foreign nationals who come to Québec for training will become eligible for the
provincial health and hospital insurance plan after a waiting period of up to three months following application. In such cases,
we suggest you take out private insurance so that you will have coverage during the waiting period. For more information,
feel free to contact the Régie.
Tax exemption for foreign postdoctoral researchers
Quebec law provides a mechanism by which the postdoctoral fellow may be exempted from tax. Visit the following link: Vicerectorat aux ressources humaines de l'Université Laval
Financial support
As a postdoctoral researcher, you may qualify for partial or full financial support through
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An external organization
A research unit at Université Laval
A fellowship or salary paid out of funding or contracts obtained by one or more professors
For the list of postdoctoral scholarships available, visit the website of Université Laval’s Scholarships and Financial Aid Office
Certificate
At the end of the research term, a postdoctoral researcher must notify the person responsible in the research unit, the
Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales and the Registrar’s Office of their departure. If desired, the postdoctoral
researcher may obtain a certificate by filling out the form Demande d'attestation de stage postdoctoral. Upon receipt of the
form, the Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales and the Registrar’s Office will issue a joint certificate specifying
the nature, the duration and the research unit where the research took place.
A stimulating environment
More than just a place of study and research, Université Laval provides a stimulating environment that offers a wide variety
of cultural and athletic activities and numerous services often at low costs for students and fellows.
The campus covers over a square kilometer and numbers 30 buildings specifically designed to meet teaching and research
needs. Readily accessible, it is located just minutes from downtown Québec and major shopping centers. A veritable oasis of
green crisscrossed by paths, the campus is considered one of North America’s finest.
Self-guided tour
Those who wish to stay in shape or partake in their favorite sport can do so for a nominal fee at the sports complex (PEPS),
one of the largest in Canada. Postdoctoral researchers also have access to Université Laval libraries. To meet the university
community’s various needs, the University has a foreign student office, a medical clinic, a student placement office, an
ecumenical religious resource office, as well as some 30 food service outlets.
Four university residences offer 2,400 comfortable rooms with the possibility of Internet access. All residences are equipped
with communal kitchens. Off campus housing is also available.
Those who wish to improve their French can take courses at the École de langues on campus.
Foreign student handbook
http://www.bve.ulaval.ca/fileadmin/bve/documents/Accompagnement_ee/Guide_sejour/Foreign_student_handbook.pdf
For more information
General information
Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales
Pavillon Jean-Charles-Bonenfant, local 3445
2345, allée des Bibliothèques
Université Laval Québec (Québec)
G1V 0A6 CANADA
Téléphone : 418 656-2464
Télécopieur : 418 656-3691
Courriel: [email protected]
www.fesp.ulaval.ca
Admission and registration
Véronique Bédard
Technicienne en administration
Bureau du registraire
Pavillon Jean-Charles-Bonenfant, local 2440
2345, allée des Bibliothèques
Université Laval
Québec (Québec) G1V 0A6
CANADA
Téléphone : 418 656-2131, poste 4123
Télécopieur : 418 656-5216
[email protected]