The UBC Department of Psychiatry has a tradition of excellence in research and is the academic home of internationally recognized leaders in basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience. A core mission of the Department is to train the next generation of clinician scientists. A formal Research Track is offered for candidates with previous experience in research and a clear interest in pursuing an academic career in psychiatry. The Research Track integrates dedicated research time in all years of the residency with clinical training that allows the resident to meet the full clinical training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as the Research Track.

There is a separate CaRMS match for the Research Track, and there are 2 positions available each year. The selection process for the Research Track and the General UBC Residency Track are independent, and interested candidates can apply to both tracks separately. Ranking in the Research Track does not affect applicants’ ranking for the general UBC residency program.

The program supports Research Track residents through mentorship, networking, protected research time, funding opportunities, and support for career development. Dr. William Panenka, Associate Professor of Psychiatry is the Associate Program Director of the Research Track. He provides mentorship and overall oversight of the clinical and research training of the Research Track residents. Research residents are expected to develop their research plans under the supervision of a Scientific Supervisor from the Department of Psychiatry faculty with additional input from basic neuroscientists outside psychiatry as required. The range of research activities within the Department is very wide and includes epidemiology to clinical trials, psychopharmacology, neuroimaging, neuromodulation, genetics/genomics, and preclinical models of brain processes. Applicants are encouraged to explore the faculty profiles at the websites of the Department of Psychiatry and at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre of Brain Health (https://www.centreforbrainhealth.ca/faculty/) to identify supervisors of interest.

The general timeline of the Research Track program is as follows:

PGY1: The clinical placement is usually at St. Paul’s Hospital. During the PGY1 year, the research track residents participate in two research electives, each of one month duration.  The major research goals during PGY1 include meeting with potential Scientific Supervisors and defining an overall research direction and specific research plans.

PGY2: One day per week research time. Clinical placements are usually located at the Vancouver General Hospital/UBC Hospital and involve a combination of inpatient (6 months) and outpatient psychiatry (6 months). The major research goals are to solidify and begin to implement research plans.

PGY3: One day per week research time. Clinical training comprises rotations in Child Psychiatry (6 months) and Geriatric Psychiatry (6 months). Research track residents are expected to be immersed into their research activities and to focus on publications.

PGY4: One day per week research time. Clinical training comprises rotations in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Chronic Care/Addictions and Emergency Psychiatry. By the end of this year the longitudinal requirements for Psychotherapy Training are completed. Research track residents are expected to be immersed in their research activities and publications and begin planning their post-residency academic careers.

PGY5: Up to four days per week research time. Clinical training is one day per week in outpatient clinics or electives. Research residents are expected to consolidate their research work and publications and work towards obtaining academic/research positions post-residency.

From PGY3 onwards, Research residents have the option to enroll in a Master’s program in Clinical Neuroscience, Health Care and Epidemiology or other disciplines, or, exceptionally, in a PhD program. Electively, research residents can continue research training as a PGY6 and PGY7 through the Royal College/UBC Clinician Investigator Program (CIP) or Institute of Mental Health Fellowships (IMHF). Application to the CIP or IMHF are competitive processes that are separate from the UBC Department of Psychiatry.