Research Opportunities
Postdocs / Graduate Students / Undergraduates
Join our team!
The Colautti Lab is a diverse and inclusive group of researchers at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. In the spirit of the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, we invite applications from students and postdoctoral researchers who pursue excellence and wisdom but value truth, honesty, and humility, and have the bravery to treat others with love and respect. We value creative, innovative, and disruptive research, which we find is strengthened by Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessiblity, and Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA).
We are always open to new member, and we welcome applications from individuals at any stage of academic development. Unfortunately, we also receveive many more applications and placement requests than we can accommodate. Below are some tips to help you decide if our lab is right for you, and how to apply and maximize your chance of success.
First, make sure you are familiar with our current and ongoing research projects (scroll down on the main page). Some additional detail can be found on our Research Systems page, and in recent publications (see Dr. Colautti's Google Scholar Page for an up-to-date list).
Second, determine how your research experience and interests align with our research and expertise. This is probably the single most important factor we use when accepting new members.
Third, consider your committment and contributrions to I-EDIAA. None of us are experts, so don't feel intimidated, especially if you are still early in your career (e.g., undergraduate student). But do take the time to reflect on your positionality, and how it affects your role and responsibilities as a developing researcher.
Fourth, find funding. This one is not as important as the others, but it is worth investing some time nonetheless. Some of our students are funded from research grants to work on specific projects, but this source of funding is unpredictable. Having your own funding gives you much more flexibility in the types of projects you can work on. Links to some relevant funding opportunities are posted below.
Fifth, you may find some additional useful advice on our Lab Manifesto. Co-written with current and former lab members, this living document includes tips for getting strong reference letters, and a general sense of what it is takes to be a successful researcher.
After completing the above steps, contact Dr. Colautti (robert.colautti .at. queensu.ca) to express your interest. Try to address all of the five points above in your expression of interest, and include a current CV or resume with email addresses for two or three references.
Funding and other information
International Students and Postdocs
Start by looking for funding sources: DFATD Database
For Postdoctoral Researchers
Queen's General Information
Queen's Funding Information
Graduate Students
List of Federal and Provincial Awards
Other External Awards
Queen's University Internal Awards
Undergraduate Students
SWEP (Summer Work Experience Program) — earn ~$8,000 working on research projects for the summer!
NSERC USRA (Undergraduate Summer Research Awards) — earn ~$6,500 doing your own independent research project. This is a prestigious award that looks great on your C.V., and if you work with us, we'll top you up to the same level as a WEP ($8,000 for the summer) + room and board if you work at QUBS
537 Undergraduate Research Thesis
538/539 Focused Research Project (one semester)