Are you interested in joining our team?
The Spence Lab is an enthusiastic, supportive, and collaborative working environment. We strive for research excellence by aiming to create practical solutions for real-life problems. We invest in our trainees by providing mentorship, professional development opportunities, and support for obtaining career goals.
All open opportunities in the Spence Lab are listed below. If you are interested in working with us, but do not qualify for a posted position, you can send us an email that includes an unofficial transcript, academic CV, and a description of your research interests, and we will contact you should a suitable position become available for application. All inquiries can be directed to Dr. Kelsey Spence at kspenc04[at]uoguelph.ca.
Undergraduate Student Opportunities
Thank you for your interest! At this time, there are no open undergraduate student positions in the Spence Lab.
Graduate Student Opportunities
Thesis-based Master of Science (MSc) Opportunity:
Mobilizing Biosecurity Research Findings to Support Equine Health and Welfare
A MSc opportunity, starting in September 2024, is available in the Department of Population Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Kelsey Spence and Dr. Terri O’Sullivan. This is a fully funded position available to domestic or permanent resident applicants only.
Description: Biosecurity practices on Ontario equine facilities are highly variable, leaving the industry at risk of disease outbreaks. Pathogens can have significant consequences for horse health and welfare and can disrupt equestrian activities, cause financial strain, and impact the livelihoods of those involved in the industry. Despite the clear benefits of biosecurity practices, many are not implemented fully on equine facilities. This suggests that barriers exist in the mobilization of biosecurity knowledge into use by members of the industry. This project will use an integrated knowledge translation strategy to facilitate the mobilization and adoption of biosecurity evidence within the equine industry. Through knowledge synthesis, community consultations, and co-creation of educational materials, the MSc student will work with members of the equine industry to maximize the uptake of research evidence. This will enhance the ability of equine industry groups to develop tailored resources for improving biosecurity adoption across the industry.
Student Qualifications: The successful candidate will have strong oral and written communication skills, the ability to work independently and part of a team, and a keen interest in epidemiology, biosecurity, and/or knowledge translation. Previous research experience, including experience in both the natural sciences and social sciences, is considered an asset. Applicants must meet the academic standards for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Guelph. Selection of the successful candidate will be based on a combination of academic excellence, relevant experience, career goals, and referee assessments.
Application Process: Please submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae (CV), an unofficial transcript, and contact information for two references to Dr. Spence (kspenc04@uoguelph.ca) and Dr. O’Sullivan (tosulliv@uoguelph.ca) by June 14, 2024.
At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.
Further inquiries related to this position can be directed to Dr. Spence. Additional information about graduate studies in the Department of Population Medicine is available at: https://graduatestudies.uoguelph.ca/programs/popmed.