Clinical Research Radiation Oncology Fellowships
BC Cancer and University of British Columbia – Radiation Therapy Program
Vancouver, BC
Estimated Start Date: July 1 Annually
Duration: Usually 1 year, with flexibility depending on Centre and candidate
Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
Clinical Research Radiation Oncology Fellowships are available across all six centres. While each centre offers high-quality clinical training, research focus areas vary by site and may be tailored to the interests of the fellow and the needs of the department.
UBC/BC Cancer fellows benefit from:
- A provincially coordinated model of care
- Access to large population-based datasets
- Strong clinical trial infrastructure
- Expertise in stereotactic radiotherapy, brachytherapy, adaptive radiotherapy, and clinical trial development
- Opportunities in outcomes research, quality improvement, health services research, medical education, health equity, and Indigenous cancer care
Areas of Focus – Vancouver
SABR for primary (liver, lung, prostate) and metastatic disease (all sites including spine), SRS, adaptive radiotherapy, brachytherapy. Research is ongoing in the following areas: Artificial Intelligence, quality and safety, medical education, clinical trial development. All tumour sites are treated at this centre, including pediatrics. Individual tumour specific fellowships will be arranged based on applicant preference and clinical need.
Area of Focused Competency (AFC) in Brachytherapy
The Area of Focused Competency (AFC) Brachytherapy Program is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 2021. Canadian graduates are eligible to apply to the AFC program. This program is available in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Surrey/Abbotsford.
Over 50% of the training will be undertaken in the brachytherapy suite/OR, where the trainee will progressively take on increasing responsibility for the procedure as competencies are acquired and demonstrated. The program also includes a didactic and research component. Training in at least two of the following techniques are required for the AFC program: Prostate LDR brachytherapy, prostate HDR brachytherapy, gynecological intracavitary brachytherapy, gynecological interstitial brachytherapy.
Fellowship Structure
Fellowships typically combine clinical practice with research. Most positions are one year in duration, although start dates and duration may be flexible depending on the centre and the candidate.
Not all centres align fellowship start dates strictly to July 1 each year, and not all centres will necessarily have an opening every July. Interested applicants are encouraged to review centre-specific advertisements when available and to contact the Fellowship Director at their centre of interest directly. Fellows are registered as post-graduate trainees with the University of British Columbia and must be eligible for an educational license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
Eligibility
Applicants must have completed training in Radiation Oncology suitable to practice as a specialist in their home country and demonstrate prior academic or research productivity.
Fellows must be eligible to obtain an educational license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
English proficiency is an important criterion for licensing. Applicants whose primary language of medical education was not English may be required to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with College requirements.
Preference is generally given to candidates who completed their radiation oncology residency within the past 3 years.
International Applicants and Timeline Considerations
International applicants who require a Canadian work permit must allow sufficient time for UBC processing.
UBC requires submission of complete fellowship documentation at least 9 months prior to the intended start date when a work permit is required. As this timeline begins after acceptance and document preparation, international applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications at least twelve months in advance of their desired start date.
While July 1 is the typical start date, flexibility may be possible depending on the centre and circumstances.
Application Process
Applications to BC Cancer Radiation Oncology Fellowships are provincially coordinated. Eligible applicants should submit:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for three referees
- A cover letter specifying the centre or centres of interest and area of focus
All documents should be submitted to:
Shelley Dutchin
[email protected]
Applications will be forwarded to the relevant Fellowship Directors after screening for eligibility. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fellowship Directors at their centres of interest directly for further information on centre-specific opportunities.
Fellowship Director
Vancouver: Dr. Emma Dunne – [email protected]
For province-wide inquiries regarding the UBC/BC Cancer Radiation Oncology Fellowship Program, applicants may also contact:
Professor Robert Olson
Division Head, Radiation Oncology & Developmental Radiotherapeutics, UBC
[email protected]
What we do
BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.
BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
(PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
The BC Cancer (www.bccancer.bc.ca) is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia in partnership with regional health authorities to deliver a range of cancer services, which include prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. It operates six regional cancer centres in Surrey, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Prince George, along with two research centres that conduct research into the causes and cures for cancer.
BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) which plans, manages and evaluates specialty and province-wide health care services across BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. These include: Respect people • Be compassionate • Dare to innovate • Cultivate partnerships • Serve with purpose.
PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity and diversity and hires on the basis of merit. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.
For more information on all that the PHSA has to offer, please visit: http://careers.phsa.ca
For more information about BC Cancer, please visit: www.bccancer.bc.ca
