About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

Position Description

About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

Position Description: Post-Doctoral Clinical Research Fellowship in Psychology

The Department of Psychology, in collaboration with the Zapparoli Lab in the Research Institute Neurosciences & Mental Health program, is currently seeking a Post-Doctoral Clinical Research Fellow in Psychology to: (a) assess, diagnose, and treat cognitive, behavioural, and socio-emotional problems associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and (b) support clinical research in the Zapparoli Lab.

This position is full time and will involve a combination of direct clinical service applicable to registration and clinical research under the supervision of Dr. Busi Zapparoli (Staff Neuropsychologist and Associate Scientist-Track Investigator). Psychologists in Supervised Practice are encouraged to apply. This is a one-year position with a start date of September 2026, or sooner.

About NF1

NF1 is a genetic condition with a prevalence of about 1 in 2,500 that affects the nervous system and is associated with a highly variable clinical presentation across the lifespan. In addition to medical complications, many children and adolescents with NF1 experience significant cognitive and social emotional challenges, including difficulties with attention, executive functioning, learning, visuospatial skills, and processing speed. Co-occurring diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are common. Cognitive vulnerabilities often contribute to academic struggles, reduced independence, and challenges with self regulation. Social emotional needs are also prominent and may include social communication difficulties, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood concerns, and stress related to visible physical differences, chronic health monitoring, and uncertainty about disease progression. Psychologists working with NF1 patients play a critical role in providing developmentally-informed assessment, intervention, and family centered support to facilitate better outcomes for patients and their families.

Clinical Activities

This position will support the recently developed NF1 Neuropsychology Clinic, located within the Department of Psychology at SickKids. Duties will align with the NF1 Neuropsychology Clinic mission of improving outcomes in children with NF1 through comprehensive scientific evaluation, timely diagnosis, and improved coordination of interventions across the appropriate specialty services. This role will involve both assessment and group intervention (through clinical trials, described in more detail below).

Through the integration of clinical care, research, and education and grounded in an equity focused and inclusive lens, The SickKids Psychology Department supports the generation of new knowledge and evidence, educates the next generation of specialized Psychologists, and effectively helps address the complex developmental, medical, and psychosocial needs of patients receiving care for primary medical and psychiatric conditions at SickKids*.*

Research Activities

This position will support research within the Zapparoli Lab in the Neurosciences and Mental Health Program within the SickKids Research Institute. The SickKids Research Institute is Canada's largest, hospital-based child health research institute. Our commitment is to improve the health of children, here in Canada and in the global community. Research in Dr. Zapparoli's Lab focuses on optimizing cognitive and health outcomes of neurogenetic patients ' particularly those with NF1 ' who disproportionately face complex, multifaceted challenges that can impact development, health, learning, and quality of life (QoL). Various methodologies are employed, including qualitative, survey, clinical trials, and experiments.

The postdoctoral fellow will primarily be involved in supporting a project examining the feasibility and effectiveness of an executive functioning intervention (Unstuck and on Target) for youth with NF1. Their role will include supporting the implementation of the intervention, supervising data collection, completing manuscripts, and supporting grant applications. There will also be opportunities to be involved in various other projects in the lab including examining other treatment interventions (e.g., Teen Online Problem-Solving, Circle of Security, and/or anxiety or mental health treatment groups) and research projects exploring underlying mechanisms that contribute to different outcomes in patients with NF1..

Here's What You Get to Do:

• Participate in clinical care within the Psychology department for patients with NF1.
• Clinical triage and waitlist monitoring and management.
• Engage in diagnostic interviewing and consultation.
• Engage in comprehensive assessment of a range of cognitive, learning, and social emotional challenges.
• Experience with autism assessment is considered an asset.
• Provide feedback to families and clinic teams.
• Provide consultation to school teams, rehabilitation providers, and other health and educational professionals.
• Provide specialized intervention and standardized follow-up for patients within a rigorous Precision Child Health approach.
• Work as part of a team of clinical researchers and be involved in all aspects of the research process, from data analysis to manuscript writing.
• Supervise clinical trainees, research assistants, and clinical research volunteers.

Here's What You Need:

• To have graduated from a CPA/APA accredited graduate program in clinical psychology and/or neuropsychology and have completed a CPA/APA accredited pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology and/or neuropsychology.
• Internship level training in pediatric clinical psychology and/or neuropsychology.
• All degree requirements must be completed before the fellowship start date.
• It is expected that the applicant will meet the requirements for issuance of a Certificate for Supervised Practice and pursue registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.
• Understand the importance and demonstrates ability to foster a culture of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Employment Type:

• Full time (1.0 FTE) preferred, part time employment may be considered
• 1-year temporary contract

Our Commitment to Diversity

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

Accessibility & Accommodation

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

How To Apply

Technical difficulties? Email ask.hr@sickkids.ca with a short description of the issues you are experiencing. We will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance.

Tip: Combine your cover letter and resume into ONE document of 20 pages or less as you cannot upload multiple documents as part of your application.

Every application is reviewed by a human recruiter and all hiring decisions are made by people. In some cases, AI-assisted tools are used to help review applications based on job-related qualifications.

All positions posted on the SickKids Hospital's Careers Site represent current vacancies, unless otherwise posted in the job description.