Join Our Team

Recruiting PhD Student for September 2026

The Cancer Exercise & Physiotherapy (CEPL) in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver Campus, is seeking a PhD candidate to join an established group of scientists and clinicians in the laboratory of Dr. Kristin Campbell. This position would start September 2026.

The CEPL is a research lab that aims to develop, test, and implement physiotherapy and exercise interventions that support people living with and beyond cancer in managing treatment side effects and enhancing their quality of life. Through partnering with these individuals, caregivers, and healthcare providers and administrators, we advocate for the better integration of physiotherapy and exercise programs into standard cancer care, aiming to translate research into clinical practice to improve clinical outcomes and overall well-being for those living with and beyond cancer.

The CEPL is committed to undertaking research to translate evidence into clinical practice.

The primary project we are seeking a PhD candidate for builds on our team’s prior randomized controlled trial (RCT) that showed the benefits of a virtual, supervised, group-based exercise program (BE-FIT) for women receiving long-term endocrine therapy. Our team has completed co-design of implementation referral supports with a diversity of people with lived and living experience, healthcare providers and healthcare administrators. The overarching goal is to implement the BE-FIT program with an established community partner in British Columbia to support sustainable delivery and to evaluate whether a tailored referral support increases reach of BE-FIT.

This full time PhD position (funded for 4 years) is located at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Visit https://cancerexercise.med.ubc.ca/ for more information on Dr. Campbell and the Cancer Exercise and Physiotherapy Lab.

• An MSc in kinesiology, exercise physiology, psychology or related field.
• Strong background in exercise oncology, and/or implementation science, and/or community-engaged research is an asset.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• An MSc in kinesiology, exercise physiology, psychology or related field.
• Strong background in exercise oncology, and/or implementation science, and/or community-engaged research is an asset.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Please send application package to research manager Kelly Mackenzie: exercise.research@ubc.ca

MSc/PhD Students

The Clinical Exercise Physiology Lab is currently recruiting trainees who are interested in pursuing a MSc, or PhD degree through the UBC Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program or those who are interested in Post-doctoral training.  Dr. Campbell can also supervise students through the Interdisciplinarily Oncology Program and co-supervise students in the School of Population and Public Health.

• The candidate will develop his/her research project in one or more of the following areas: clinical trials, cancer prevention, exercise prescription, cancer rehabilitation, and cancer survivorship, health promotion.
• Funding is available for highly-qualified and suitable trainees who have yet to secure external scholarship funding.
• It is highly recommended that potential trainees apply for all possible external sources of funding (e.g., CIHR) and contact Dr. Campbell well in advance to these funding deadlines.

Interested candidates should contact Dr. Campbell by email with the following information:

• An updated CV
• Unofficial transcripts
• A one-page letter outlining your research experience and future goals
• Names of two academic referees
• Please note the Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program Application requirements and deadlines for MSc and PhD programs.

For information on related graduate programs and funding, please refer to the following links:

• Rehabilitation Sciences MSc/PhD programs
• Interdisciplinary Oncology Program
• Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Information for UBC post-doctoral fellows: Please note that UBC’s application deadline is July 1st for the winter term admission.

Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering with the CEPL please reach out to exercise.research@ubc.ca.