how to find a supervisor for phd in canada

School of Graduate Studies

Find a supervisor.

If you’re enrolled in a thesis-based graduate program, you will conduct your own research under the guidance of a supervisor. You are responsible for selecting your research topic and seeking out a potential supervisor.

The supervisory relationship is a foundation of graduate education, particularly in the doctoral-stream programs.

The success of good supervision is a shared responsibility. It depends on both student and supervisor communicating well, being tolerant and understanding, and each holding the other to high standards. The graduate unit (department, centre, or institute) also plays a role, providing clarity and consistency of expectations, upholding academic standards, administering the program fairly and effectively, and intervening where necessary to help resolve problems.

“ I enjoy teaching graduate courses and seminars, but my favourite part is supervising dissertations.

Choose a supervisor.

The responsibility to find a supervisor, in most graduate units, rests with the student. Securing a supervisor may however even be a condition of admission. Some graduate units assign a supervisor, typically in master’s programs. How do you know? Check your graduate handbook or with your graduate administrator.

Full members of graduate faculty may serve as the sole or major thesis supervisor for either doctoral or master’s students in the graduate unit while associate members of graduate faculty may serve as members of a doctoral supervisory committee, but may only be the sole or major supervisor for master’s students.

Faculty members A to Z listing .

Get Advice & Support

Talk to your graduate unit. Read your graduate handbook. Know what procedures your graduate unit has in place to help you find a supervisor, or to change a supervisor in the unlikely event that becomes necessary.

The SGS Graduate Supervision Guidelines – Students is a good resource, a set of best practices, general guidelines, policies, and suggestions that provide direction on choosing a supervisor, establishing a supervisory committee, and maintaining a productive working relationship among all three. The guidelines include a supervision checklist for students.

Identify Clear Expectations

Your supervision relationship will benefit from having clear, shared expectations with your supervisor. Set timelines for each stage of work. Identify preferred methods of communication. Discuss intellectual property issues. Complete an intellectual property awareness form . Identify publication expectations and other matters.

Know Your Deadlines

All doctoral students are required to have a supervisor and supervisory committee in place by the end of the second year of their program. Some graduate units have earlier deadlines. Securing a supervisor, supervisory committee and an approved thesis proposal is a requirement for doctoral students to achieve candidacy in their program. Know your deadlines. Compliance with the deadlines is required to maintain satisfactory progress and good academic standing in your degree program.

Maintain Healthy Supervisory Relations

A doctoral student is expected to meet with the supervisory committee at least once a year, and more often if the committee so requires. Supervisory Committee meetings are vital for monitoring doctoral progress in a doctoral program.

The supervisory committee consists of your supervisor and at least two faculty members. Its role is to provide support to you and your supervisor by broadening and deepening the range of expertise and experience available, and by offering advice about, and assessment of, your work. Graduate students who establish their supervisory committees early in their programs and who meet with their committees regularly, tend to complete their degree programs successfully, and sooner than students who wait to establish their committees.

Further information on maintaining good academic standing and supervision is found in the General Regulations section of the SGS Calendar and on the policies and guidelines page of this website.

Recognize Your Supervisor

Do you know a great graduate supervisor who has made a big difference in a student’s development as a researcher and in pursuing future academic and professional careers? The JJ Berry Smith Award for Doctoral Supervision recognizes outstanding performance in the multiple roles associated with doctoral supervision. It is awarded annually to an active faculty member who, over a minimum of 15 years, has demonstrated excellence in supervision at U of T. Recognize your supervisor.

When Problems Arise

Should a problem arise in your supervisory relationship, try to resolve the difficulty amicably through informal discussion first. If that does not resolve the problem, there are several avenues to pursue within your graduate unit: the supervisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator and the Chair of the graduate unit. If the graduate unit is unable to find a satisfactory solution, advice may be sought from the Vice-Dean, Students, School of Graduate Studies. If all else fails, and if the nature of the issue is academic, you have recourse to a formal academic appeal.

Main navigation

• Graduate programs
• How to apply
• Research & supervision
• Student experience
• Connect with us
• Connecting with a supervisor
• NSERC training opportunities
• Research Centres/Institutes

The majority of graduate programs are NOT impacted by recent government announcements about tuition increases. PhD students from the rest of Canada will continue to pay Quebec fees. International PhD fees will see the same 3% increase as Quebec fees.

Connecting with a Supervisor

How to find and connect with potential supervisors.

Your relationship with your supervisor will be one of the most important factors contributing to the success of your graduate studies. Taking the time to find a supervisor who will complement your research and learning style will help to ensure the success of this relationship. Below are some important considerations to assist you in your efforts.

Do you need to select a supervisor?

Every department at McGill has different admissions procedures. While some will expect you to connect with a potential supervisor prior to applying, others will assign a supervisor to you after you have been accepted. Make sure to carefully read the requirements of the program into which you are applying, available on the departmental website, to find out the supervisory procedures for that department. If it is unclear, contact the Graduate Program Director to clarify.

Identify Potential Supervisors

• Browse our Program Pages to identify the department in which your research of interest is taking place.
• Develop a shortlist of potential supervisors from the Faculty members working in your area. In comparing them, try to identify who would be the ideal supervisor for you both in terms of research interests and teaching/learning style.
• Review Faculty member research profiles to locate potential supervisors with research interests similar to your own. Check Departmental websites under the menu heading ‘Faculty’.
• Think laterally – if you don’t find what you’re looking for in one department, look at the research profiles of Faculty in related fields.

What to look for

By looking at a Faculty member’s CV and talking to them as well as to their current and former students, you can get a good idea as to who might be the best supervisor for you. 

A good supervisor should be able to provide you with some direction, while allowing you to take initiative. There are a number of factors that can promote a successful supervisory relationship. These include:

• Expertise : Are they working on your area of research?
• Experience: Have they supervised many students before?
• Availability : Will they be available to meet with you when you need them?
• Research agenda : How active is their research?
• Publishing: How often do they publish? Do they co-author with other professors in the department or with students?
• Collegiality and interpersonal relationship: How well will you get on with each other?

Make a connection

Prior to researching and speaking to potential supervisors, make sure to contact the academic unit offering your program in order to establish a relationship. 

The Graduate Program Coordinator will be your main contact person within the unit and will provide you with pertinent information. They will answer your questions about program requirements, the admissions process, supplemental materials, funding opportunities and the procedure for finding a supervisor within the department.

When you are ready to contact potential supervisors, approaching them by email is a good initial step. Ensure that your messages are tailored to each professor, not generic. You must catch the interest of the professor quickly and make a good first impression.

• Write a concise and professional letter.  The message should start with Dear Professor/Dr. (lastname) and end with "Yours sincerely" followed by your full name and contact information (or the formal equivalent in a message written in French). 
• Attach your Curriculum Vitae and unofficial transcripts. Note, you may complete and submit the Canadian Common CV . State why you are writing  (e.g.  I am applying to the M.Sc. program in specify program).
• State why you are interested in graduate studies (including career goals) and emphasize any research or leadership experience and analytical skills.
• If you already have funding, state the amount, duration and source.
• State why you are approaching this particular professor, and why your research interests and goals are a good match. Refer briefly to specific published articles by the professor that interest you.
• Offer an opportunity for further discussion (teleconference, videoconference, or if you are in Montreal, an in-person interview).

Questions and issues to discuss with potential supervisors:

• Capacity:  Does the professor currently have graduate students? Not enough? Too many? Looking for more?
• Expectations: Working hours, frequency of student-supervisor meetings, group meetings, reports, record keeping, contribution to general duties, assistance from and to other personnel/students, and meeting program milestones.
• Expected attendance at journal clubs, seminars, etc, aside from official requirements of the Graduate Program.
• Financial considerations: stipend, presentation/attendance at conferences.
• Conventions on authorship (within the norms of the discipline and McGill’s Regulation on the Conduct of Research .
• Review of written work : extent of supervisor’s involvement with student’s presentations, thesis preparation, time frame for return of comments, etc.
• Supervisory style: keeping in mind the questions above.
• Student Success :   how many students have they supervised through to graduation? Have the students finished their program in good time? Have many of the students published? How have the students done in the job market?
• Personality: trust your instincts as to whether you would be a good match.

Visit Campus

If at all possible, try to visit McGill and meet with your potential supervisor. Not only will this give you an opportunity to show them how excited you are to work together, but it will also allow you to get a sense of their personality. After identifying potential supervisors, call or email them to find out if they are taking on new students.

Away from McGill?

If you are unable to visit with your potential supervisor in person, you will need to rely on communication by phone, email or videoconference. Even if you are communicating at a distance, try to establish a personal connection. Show your potential supervisor why you are interested in working with them in particular.

Talk to current/former students

Talking to the current and former students of a potential supervisor is a good way to find out about their supervisory style, and will allow you to determine whether you work in a similar way.

• If you are visiting McGill, consider meeting up with some students in person to discuss working with this supervisor.
• If not, ask either the professor or the Graduate Program Coordinator/Secretary to provide you with email addresses or phone numbers.

Questions to ask current/former students

• What has been their experience working with this supervisor? Is the supervisor readily available when questions or problems arise?
• What is expected of them as graduate students working under this supervisor? Does the supervisor take a hands-on or laissez-faire approach to supervision?
• What do they feel are this supervisor’s strengths in terms of graduate supervision?
• What do they feel are their weaknesses in terms of graduate supervision?

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

Finding a supervisor for your MSc or PhD

All students must secure an appropriate LMP Graduate faculty supervisor before initial registration in a graduate program.

Selecting a supervisor is of utmost importance and should be made carefully. 

Although you are encouraged to contact potential supervisors before being admitted, supervisors can only officially accept you as a student after you have met the admission requirements and received an offer of admission (see MSc and PhD application process and deadlines ). 

The process is complete when the faculty member agrees to accept you into their research program and agrees to pay the required stipend.

You should then notify the graduate office of the agreement by email ( [email protected] ) and copy the supervisor. 

• International (visa) students:  you are encouraged to contact faculty members during the application phase in order to have the support of a potential supervisor prior to the application deadline. You may be recommended for admission but will not gain admission without securing a supervisor.  

Tips for selecting a supervisor 

• Go the  Faculty Directory : you can filter by those accepting MSc or PhD, using the 'refine by' field. We regularly update our website to reflect who is accepting students. Only faculty  marked ‘yes’ under Graduate Faculty will supervise students . If you are interested in COVID-19 related research, see  COVID-19 research and initiatives in LMP .
• Browse through the list of researchers to find potential supervisors. 
• Read publications from potential supervisors to determine whether the research topics align with your interests. 
• why you are interested in the laboratory;
• describe your educational background;
• provide a short description of your past research experience(s), and;
• request an interview. 

See  Supervision Guidelines for Students and Faculty   on the School of Graduate Studies website.

Join our mailing list: find out more about LMP programs

Search for faculty members in our directory

Find a supervisor

Before being admitted to a research program, you must have a professor who agrees to act as your major research paper or thesis supervisor. The supervisor will guide you throughout your research and the writing of your project. We strongly recommend that you find a supervisor before submitting your application.

Before you contact a potential supervisor

Here is some advice to follow before you make the first contact:

• When possible, talk to professors in the academic unit about your field of interest, and find out who would be best able to supervise you.
• Take a look a the  list of available MRP and Thesis supervisors  (PDF, 147KB)
• Read the scholarly publications of  potential supervisors  to see if their field of research and methods are tailored to the topic or project you have in mind.
• Make a list of questions to ask during the interview and points to be addressed.
• When meeting with a potential supervisor, you should make sure to come prepared with as much information as possible about your topic of interest.

Making first contact

• Send an e-mail to the potential supervisors to introduce yourself.
• State clearly, what your interests are and how they match those of the professors you are contacting.
• Include information on your academic background.

When you meet with a potential supervisor come prepared with as much information about your topic as possible. Make a list for yourself of questions you would like to ask and issues you would like to discuss when you meet, and bring this list to the meeting.

If you cannot come on campus for your meeting, ask for a telephone or Internet interview.

Remember, a professor is not obliged to agree to supervise you if he or she feel the collaboration will not be successful due to a lack of compatibility.

Following your meeting

After establishing a good relationship with your supervisor, here are the next steps:

• if you have not done so already,  submit your application and prepare your documents ;
• familiarize yourself with  course sequences  and  program requirements ;
• keep in regular contact with the professor who has agreed to supervise you and start reading articles related to your areas of interest.

Finding a Supervisor

How to seek a postdoctoral fellow position at york.

Any individual interested in becoming a Postdoctoral Fellow at York is responsible for taking the required first step of securing the support of at least one prospective supervisor who is a York faculty member. Requests and/or proposals for this support must be made directly by the prospective Fellow to the prospective supervisor.

To find and contact a prospective supervisor, the potential postdoctoral fellow is advised to:

• Visit the websites of the Faculties, departments and units of interest to them to see if there are any postdoctoral opportunities available;
• Browse the Research Chairs section of the York Research website;
• Every department at York has a website which can be found online by clicking on the relevant Faculty ;
• Each departmental page has an online list of faculty members and their research topics.
• Once a potentially compatible faculty member is identified, requests and/or proposals for a postdoctoral supervisory relationship can be made directly to the specific faculty member(s);
• It is also recommended that interested applicants review the available external funding opportunities , in tandem with a search for a prospective supervisor, to become aware of potential funding sources which they may use to fund their research at York.

Connect with FGS

• Brightspace

Find your supervisor

Do you need a supervisor?

If you are planning to apply for a thesis-based master’s or PhD program, you may need to identify a supervisor to oversee your studies before you begin the application process. Some faculties will pair you with a thesis-supervisor after you are accepted, and course-based programs don’t require a supervisor at all. 

To find out if it’s necessary to secure a supervisor, please check with the  faculty,  department, or school  that offers your program. 

Identifying a supervisor 

• Visit the website of the  faculty, department, or school  that offers your program to discover current faculty members who share your research interests.  
• Once you’ve found one or two potential supervisors, read a few of their publications to learn more about their area of study and to determine if they have the right expertise for the project or subject area you plan to focus your thesis work on. 
• If your prospective supervisor looks like a good fit for your research interest, send them a clear and concise email explaining that you are planning to apply for a program in their faculty or department and are looking for a supervisor.  Feel free to include your research interests as well as unofficial transcripts and a CV.

Other steps to consider

Meet our faculty , magnificent mentor.

National accolades

• A-Z Directory
• Campus Maps
• Faculties and Schools
• International
• People and Departments
• Become A Student
• Give to Memorial
• Faculty & Staff
• Online Learning
• Self Service
• Other MUN Login Services

Become a Graduate Student

• Finding a research supervisor

Graduate students in research-intensive programs (i.e., one that requires a thesis) will often need a faculty supervisor.

We strongly encourage you check with your graduate program of interest to see if a supervisor is needed, and to find a supervisor at the time of application if necessary. This will increase your chances at admission, and allow for a better and more productive graduate student experience .

Finding a Supervisor

There are a few ways you can find a supervisor:

• If you are an undergraduate student at Memorial, consider the senior courses you are taking or have taken that interest you the most. If the subject matter is something that you can envision studying further independently, talk to the course instructor about either supervising you for a master’s project, or advice on who might be looking for graduate students in that area.
• Talk to current graduate students about their experience working with their supervisors or other faculty members in your discipline. 
• If you completed your prior degree at a different university, you have a few options. Try reviewing the faculty directory on the departmental website . They should offer a list of all active faculty members, their research interests, publications, current and past graduate students, and contact information. Try looking at the faculty directors of multiple departments that might be related to your field of study.
• Do a search using www.yaffle.ca , using keywords that best describe your research interests. The search results should yield several names of faculty members in your area of interest along with their contact information. You can also search for faculty members who are specifically seeking graduate students and willing to supervise . Please keep in mind not all of Memorial’s graduate supervisors are listed on this site.
• Contact the Graduate Officer of the academic unit or program you are interested in, and ask for suggestions on faculty members who might be looking for students. Graduate Officers can also provide important information on admission and program requirements, the application review process, and funding awarded for students in research programs.

Contacting a Supervisor

When contacting potential supervisors, it is important to make a good first impression. We suggest you take the following steps:

• Review the faculty member’s information online and become familiar with their research. Consider their publications as well as those of their graduate students.
• Write a concise introductory email to the faculty member you would like to work with. Introduce yourself, your academic credentials (GPA, academic awards, research experience, etc.), and the kind of research you would like to pursue and the reason for it. Tailor your email to the individual recipient and do not send a general email to multiple faculty members.
• Use formal salutations (“Dr./Professor” followed by last name) and close (“Yours sincerely” followed by your name and contact information). Attach your current CV and transcripts.
• If you have your own funding (e.g., external scholarship), specify the source and amount you have been awarded.
• Advise them you have applied for a graduate program at Memorial University and ask them if they might be interested in serving as your supervisor for a program.
• Ask for further discussion by phone, videoconference or in person (if possible).
• If you don’t receive an immediate response, do not be discouraged. Faculty members might just need some time to review and get back to you, especially in the middle of a busy semester or during the summer if they are in the field or away at a conference.

Questions to Ask a Supervisor

When communicating with potential supervisors, it is important to discuss a few topics in addition to research interests and plans:

• Most full-time graduate students in research programs must be funded. Ask about funding levels for your program and options for scholarships in your field.
• Ask about potential start date for your program and whether they might be away on research leave at any point during your study period.
• Discuss the work of the faculty member’s current and past graduate students. What kind of research are current graduate students doing now, and what kind of careers do former graduate students now have?
• What kind of professional skills training opportunities will you have as a graduate student? Will you be able to publish, present at conferences, and network with peers?
• What is the faculty member’s supervisory style? Do they meet with graduate students frequently, or expect graduate students to work fairly independently?

If you have any other questions, please reach out. The School of Graduate Studies, as well as 60 academic units across all of Memorial’s campuses, are committed to making the admissions process clear and seamless. In addition to our Graduate Officers, who can serve as invaluable resources for you, our dedicated team of professional staff are available to answer any question you might have, within one business day.

• Research news

Related Content

• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Research Supervisors

Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

The supervisor is the key person in a thesis-based graduate degree program. The principal role of the supervisor is to help students achieve their scholastic potential and to chair the student’s Supervisory Committee. The Supervisor will provide reasonable commitment, accessibility, professionalism, stimulation, guidance, respect and consistent encouragement to the student. Learn more

Graduate programs have different expectations regarding prospective students contacting faculty members. Some require commitment of a faculty member as thesis supervisor prior to applying while others assign supervisors in the first year. Please review the requirements for each program in the degree listing under the heading "Admission Information & Requirements" in step 3 "Prepare Application" under "Thesis Supervision".

Advice on how to reach out to supervisors

Supervisor Directory

Other researcher directories.

• Engineering - Find an Engineering Expert
• School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
• School of Nursing
• School of Community and Regional Planning
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Forestry
• Faculty of Land and Food Systems - Directory
• Faculty of Law
• Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences
• Department of Emergency Medicine
• Department of Medical Genetics
• Department of Medicine (Experimental Medicine, Dermatology and Skin Science)
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
• Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
• Department of Physical Therapy
• Department of Psychiatry
• School of Audiology and Speech Sciences
• School of Population and Public Health
• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Researcher Search Tool
• Department of Botany - Research Faculty
• Department of Microbiology & Immunology
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Physics & Astronomy
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Statistics
• Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Department of Zoology
• Department of Mathematics
• The UBC Calendar lists the names of faculty members in faculties, schools and departments.
• Sustainability Expert Finder

Reaching Out Tips

Complete these steps before you reach out to a faculty member.

• Familiarize yourself with program requirements. You want to learn as much as possible from the information available to you before you reach out to a faculty member. Be sure to visit the graduate degree program listing and program-specific websites.
• Check whether the program requires you to seek commitment from a supervisor prior to submitting an application. For some programs this is an essential step while others match successful applicants with faculty members within the first year of study. This is either indicated in the program profile under "Admission Information & Requirements" - "Prepare Application" - "Supervision" or on the program website.
• Identify specific faculty members who are conducting research in your specific area of interest.
• Read up on the faculty members in the program and the research being conducted in the department.
• Familiarize yourself with their work, read their recent publications and past theses/dissertations that they supervised. Be certain that their research is indeed what you are hoping to study.
• Do not send non-specific, mass emails to everyone in the department hoping for a match.
• Address the faculty members by name. Your contact should be genuine rather than generic.
• Include a brief outline of your academic background, why you are interested in working with the faculty member, and what experience you could bring to the department. The supervision enquiry form guides you with targeted questions. Ensure to craft compelling answers to these questions.
• Highlight your achievements and why you are a top student. Faculty members receive dozens of requests from prospective students and you may have less than 30 seconds to pique someone’s interest.
• Convey the specific ways you are a good fit for the program.
• Convey the specific ways the program/lab/faculty member is a good fit for the research you are interested in/already conducting.
• Be enthusiastic, but don’t overdo it.

G+PS regularly provides virtual sessions that focus on admission requirements and procedures and tips how to improve your application.

• Why Grad School at UBC?
• Graduate Degree Programs
• Application & Admission
• Info Sessions
• Research Projects
• Indigenous Students
• International Students
• Tuition, Fees & Cost of Living
• Newly Admitted
• Student Status & Classification
• Student Responsibilities
• Supervision & Advising
• Managing your Program
• Health, Wellbeing and Safety
• Professional Development
• Dissertation & Thesis Preparation
• Final Doctoral Exam
• Final Dissertation & Thesis Submission
• Life in Vancouver
• Vancouver Campus
• Graduate Student Spaces
• Graduate Life Centre
• Life as a Grad Student
• Graduate Student Ambassadors
• Meet our Students
• Award Opportunities
• Award Guidelines
• Minimum Funding Policy for PhD Students
• Killam Awards & Fellowships
• Policies & Procedures
• Information for Supervisors
• Dean's Message
• Leadership Team
• Strategic Plan & Priorities
• Vision & Mission
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Initiatives, Plans & Reports
• Graduate Education Analysis & Research
• Media Enquiries
• Newsletters
• Giving to Graduate Studies

Strategic Priorities

• Strategic Plan 2019-2024
• Improving Student Funding
• Promoting Excellence in Graduate Programs
• Enhancing Graduate Supervision
• Advancing Indigenous Inclusion
• Supporting Student Development and Success
• Reimagining Graduate Education
• Enriching the Student Experience

Initiatives

• Public Scholars Initiative
• 3 Minute Thesis (3MT)
• PhD Career Outcomes

Find a research topic and supervisor

• Retourner à la page précédente

Are you looking for a research topic for your master’s or PhD?

Selecting your research topic and your supervisor are major steps when you pursue a master’s or PhD degree. That’s why most programs strongly urge you to identify your research interests and research supervisor before you apply for admission.

Defining your research topic

Arts and humanities.

Most arts and humanities programs let you choose and define your own research topic. You may be asked to provide a draft proposal of approximately five pages, including a description of your field of interest and a series of questions about a specific theme, along with your application for admission. This is the first step in preparing your research proposal, whether you have found a supervisor yet or not.

It’s a good idea to find a professor to supervise you before you apply, even if it’s not an admission requirement for your program. That way you can present a stronger research topic that the admissions committee is more likely to deem feasible.

If you do not find a professor to supervise you before you are admitted to the program, you could run into problems later if professors have already agreed to supervise other students and are unavailable to work with you.

Pure and applied sciences

In most pure and applied sciences programs, your research supervisor will recommend a research topic. In many cases, you’ll be contributing to the efforts of a team working on a funded project.

For programs in these fields of study, selecting a research supervisor before you apply for admission is highly recommended and may even be mandatory . Read the official description of your program to find out if this is an admission requirement.

Finding a research supervisor

Making initial contact with professors in your chosen field of study in order to find a research supervisor is your responsibility. It’s a good idea to select subjects that interest you, then find out more about research groups and chairs at the University, professors’ research interests, and projects that are recruiting new students.

Research units and professors’ fields of interest

For more information on research at our university, as well as our faculty members and their work and main fields of interest:

• Read about Université Laval’s research units
• Check the Research section in the official description of your program for information on professors’ areas of research
• Visit the websites of Université Laval’s faculties

Directory of research projects and expertise

This directory lists the research projects and expertise of professors currently recruiting master’s and doctoral students for their teams. Explore offers by faculty, program, or student profile.

• Go to directory

Are you a Université Laval professor looking to publicize your research expertise or offer to supervise a new master’s or doctoral student as part of a project? Register your offer online today.

Contacting faculty members

Once you have identified one or more faculty members whose areas of research interest you, it’s up to you to contact them and, if necessary, the head of the program you wish to enroll in.

Before you start

Make sure you personalize your messages to professors. We also strongly recommend you only contact a few professors at a time. Start by contacting those whose research interests overlap the most with your interests and previous research experience. If your research interests cover several fields, feel free to contact professors in related departments.

It’s also a good idea to read some of the professors’ recent publications or some recent work by their students (master’s or PhD theses) before you contact them.

Drafting your email

Always personalize your emails to faculty members. Make sure you include:

• Why you want to work with him or her
• Your academic background
• Your research interests or, if you have one, a draft of your research proposal and how it relates to the professor’s area of expertise

Also attach:

• Your CV (including your scientific achievements and publications, laboratory experience, etc.)
• Your academic records
• A motivation letter
• One or two recommendation letters

If you have obtained funding, indicate what type, how much, and its duration. Treat the email as if it was a job application and make sure to present yourself in your best light to make your application interesting.

Following up on your request can show that you’re really interested in working with a particular professor. However, sending too many emails or messages can be counterproductive. Remember that professors get a lot of requests. Give them time to look over your application and consider it. We also strongly recommend you try to meet the professor, even if you don’t live in Québec City. If you are unable to meet with them in person, try to set up a phone interview.

Submitting an online request

Some faculties will let you register online to find a research supervisor in your field.

Research projects and expertise

Explore research projects from various fields and the expertise of some of our professors.

Postdoctoral fellowship

If you would like to become a postdoctoral fellow, visit the website of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Research and training internships

Are you a student in another country? Why not do a training or research internship at UL?

• Skip to global menu .
• Skip to primary navigation .
• Skip to secondary navigation .
• Skip to page content .
• Return to global menu .

• Search Geography
• Search UVic
• Search for people
• Search for departments
• Search for experts
• Search for news
• Search for resources
• prospective students
• identify a potential supervisor

Identify a Potential Supervisor

After identifying and contacting potential supervisors, remember to complete the application process .

• Identify a potential supervisor

In our program, you will work closely with an academic supervisor.  Our faculty members are active researchers whose interests span the breadth of the discipline. We have research strengths in coastal systems, geomatics, human geography, physical geography, and resources management.

See a list of faculty members who are eligible to supervise graduate students and their interests below.

• Return to primary navigation .
• Return to secondary navigation .
• Return to page content .

Find a supervisor

For many of our academic programs, you will be working closely with a faculty supervisor who will guide you through your research project or thesis. It is often helpful to find a supervisor who has similar research interests to your own. Use the form below to search through our faculty. Note that this list is not comprehensive. If you cannot find a faculty member who is doing work in your field, contact the Graduate Chair of a similar program and they may be able to suggest a potential supervisor.

Before contacting a potential supervisor, we recommend that you review our Tips for Finding a Supervisor page. 

Supervisor search

What field do you want to do research in? We'll tell you who is doing work in that area and what programs may be a good match for you:

What could make this page better?

Thank you for helping us make the university website better. Your comment will be forwarded to the editor of this page. Please note that this form is not intended to provide customer service. If you need assistance, please contact us directly.

Finding a Supervisor

Not all programs require you to secure a supervisor before applying. Generally, research-based programs require a supervisor for your thesis project. The Master of Science in Bioscience, Technology, & Public Policy and the Master of Environmental & Social Change programs require that you find a supervisor and write a research proposal before being admitted.

For the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science & Society program, a supervisor is required if you are applying to the research-based program. Applicants to the Master’s in Development Practice: Indigenous Development program are not obligated to consult with or secure a supervisor before applying. Upon admission to the MDP, students will be assigned an academic supervisor according to their area of interest. If you are unsure if you need to find a supervisor, you should contact the program chair .

If you have been advised that you require a Graduate Supervisor, you will need to contact professors to determine if they are taking on new graduate students. The first step is often to browse the web pages of faculty members in your department to see which research projects interest you. To contact a professor, be sure to send a tailored enquiry, rather than a generic message, attach a copy of your Curriculum Vitae, and offer an opportunity for further discussion (via teleconference, video-conference, or in-person interview).

You may also consider contacting the Graduate Program Chair with a brief research proposal, asking if they could recommend anyone in the program engaging in similar work. It is always a good idea to reach out to the Graduate Program Chair before applying to any graduate program. They will be your main point of contact to answer questions about eligibility requirements, funding, or assistantship opportunities.

A Graduate Advisor is responsible for assisting students with planning a program of study and ensuring that students are aware of all general regulations, program requirements, and degree regulations of the graduate department. Advisors also attend all supervisory committee meetings as well as student thesis, clinical or technical practicum examinations and prepare an annual report of the progress of the graduate student.

A Graduate Supervisor is responsible for supervising and providing guidance on all aspects of a student’s thesis, practicum, or research program and staying informed of the student’s progress and preparing an annual report summarizing progress in research, clinical, or technical activities and ensuring that scientific research is conducted in a way that is effective and safe. Supervisors review and evaluate student theses and major research papers in draft and final form and attend all supervisory committee meetings as well as student thesis, clinical or technical practicum examinations.

Back to FAQ index

This website would like to use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. You may change your preferences at any time. Learn more about our use of cookies.

Emergency Alert Notification

Monday, May 14, 2020, at 12:00pm

This is a test of the emergency alert notification pop-up.

How to Find and Contact Potential Supervisors while Applying for MS in Canada/US

• June 14, 2021
• Post graduate , Study Abroad

The majority of Masters (MS) programs in Canada require securing a potential supervisor in your desired field of studies  prior to submitting an application . If you are particularly keen on pursuing a thesis-based or research-based Master’s program, this is kind of mandatory. In fact, even if you are looking for MS at the top universities in the US, contacting potential supervisors is recommended. In this post, we will discuss how to find and contact potential supervisors while applying for MS in Canada (or US).

Why is it important to contact supervisors prior to submitting an application?

A supervisor is a professor (or faculty member) who oversees your research and the development of your thesis. They provide mentorship, support, and guidance throughout your Master’s program. 

Your relationship with your supervisor will be one of the most important factors contributing to the success of your graduate studies.

Taking the time to find a supervisor who will complement your research and learning style will help to ensure the success of this relationship.

Your master’s thesis or dissertation is an important component of your degree program. Additionally, it will also shape your future job prospects. Read How to Choose a Master’s Dissertation (Thesis) Topic to Improve Job Prospects .

So, by all means, you should make sure if you are going to work with the right mentor.

Do all Masters Program in Canada Require Contacting Supervisors Before Submitting an Application?

Every department at Canadian universities has different admissions procedures. While some will expect you to connect with a potential supervisor prior to applying, others will assign a supervisor to you after you have been accepted.

Make sure to carefully read the requirements of the program into which you are applying, available on the departmental website, to find out the supervisory procedures for that department. If it is unclear, contact the  Graduate Program Director  to clarify.

For coursework-based and professional Master’s programs, usually, you don’t need to contact potential supervisors. So, the best way forward would be to contact the department/program graduate coordinator to determine if having a supervisor before you apply is required for your program.

Your graduate or course coordinator will be able to answer questions about program requirements, the admission process, supplemental materials, and funding opportunities.

This video will help you as you prepare to research, contact, and select a supervisor for your graduate studies.

How to Find Potential Supervisors for MS?

Start with asking yourself questions about your own research interests and learning style:.

• What topics of research do I want to explore? Why do I find a particular topic or area of study interesting? How familiar am I with this topic?
• What skills and knowledge do I have that complement my research interests? What expert knowledge do I want to acquire? What skills do I want to enhance or develop?
• What level of supervision do I thrive under when completing independent learning? Am I an independent learner and worker, or do I require more supervisor involvement and guidance?

These questions will help you understand your personal needs as a graduate student. It is important that both the student and supervisor are able to communicate clearly and to understand roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Once you’ve determined your field of study, and, if the graduate program of your interest requires securing a potential supervisor at pre-admission stage, you can begin your search. 

What to look for in Potential Supervisors?

By looking at a Faculty member’s CV and talking to them as well as to their current and former students, you can get a good idea as to who might be the best supervisor for you. 

A good supervisor should be able to provide you with some direction, while allowing you to take initiative. There are a number of factors that can promote a successful supervisory relationship. These include:

• Expertise : Are they working on your area of research?
• Experience:  Have they supervised many students before?
• Availability : Will they be available to meet with you when you need them?
• Research agenda : How active is their research?
• Publishing:  How often do they publish? Do they co-author with other professors in the department or with students?
• Collegiality and interpersonal relationship:  How well will you get on with each other?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to identify potential supervisors or MS in Canada/US:

• Browse the Program Pages of your target/shortlisted universities to identify the department in which your research of interest is taking place.
• Faculty profiles or websites will often provide details about conference participation, course instruction, publications, and CVs.
• Create a shortlist of potential supervisors from the Faculty members working in your area. In comparing them, try to identify who would be the ideal supervisor for you both in terms of research interests and teaching/learning style.
• Review Faculty member research profiles to locate potential supervisors with research interests similar to your own. Check Departmental websites under the menu heading ‘Faculty’.
• Think laterally – if you don’t find what you’re looking for in one department, look at the research profiles of Faculty in related fields.
• Consider how your research interests and experience may intersect with a faculty member’s and identify opportunities to expand your knowledge in the desired area.
• Use your findings to further refine the list of potential supervisors to explore further.

How to Contact Potential Supervisors for MS?

• Review the faculty member’s information online and become familiar with their research. Consider their publications as well as those of their graduate students.
• Write a concise introductory email to the faculty member you would like to work with. Introduce yourself, your academic credentials (GPA, academic awards, research experience, etc.), the kind of research you would like to pursue, and the reason for it.
• Few universities (e.g. Queen’s or Lethbridge) have got specific forms for contacting potential supervisors.
• Use formal salutations (“Dr./Professor” followed by the last name) and close (“Yours sincerely” followed by your name and contact information). Attach your current CV and transcripts.
• It is advisable to have a CV/Resume prepared with your educational history, research interests, and CV/Resume highlights (e.g., work experience, scholarships, publications, and conference papers) to aid you as you fill in the contact form. 
• If you have your own funding (e.g., external scholarship), specify the source and amount you have been awarded.
• Advise them you are going to apply for a graduate program at the university and ask if s/he might be interested in serving as your supervisor for a program.
• Ask for further discussion by phone, video conference, or in-person (if possible).
• If you don’t receive an immediate response, do not be discouraged. Faculty members might just need some time to review and get back to you, especially in the middle of a busy semester or during the summer if they are in the field or away at a conference.
• After contacting a potential supervisor, please allow 5 business days for the faculty member to respond. Faculty members are very busy and it may take time for them to respond to your email.

How to Increase the Chances of Getting Response from Potential Supervisors?

• While sending the email, stress how your interests align and why you’d like to join the professor’s research group.
• Be specific. Send a specific email that makes it clear you know the area of research of the potential supervisor and that it aligns with your interests.
• You should understand the potential supervisor’s research and read their recent publications. In the email, you must clearly express interest in some areas of that research.
• Gain as much relevant project and/or lab experience as possible. This will help you find out how you like to learn and conduct research. Then, you can search for potential supervisors who match your learning and working styles.
• Tailor your email to the individual recipient and do not send a general email to multiple faculty members. Ideally, you should not reach out to more than three professors in the same department. Professors within the same department are likely to discuss the resumes.
• Talk to current grad students and/or recent alumni (who are working with your shortlisted potential supervisors) to discuss their research, workloads, working experience with supervisors, the application process, etc.
• Do follow up if you don’t receive a reply after one week

Example of Email for Contacting Potential Supervisors

Dear Dr. Smith,

I am a prospective graduate student at the University of XX. I am in my final year of the undergraduate program in Biology with a focus on plant breeding research. My GPA is 86% and my TOEFL iBT is 100.

My current research project for my master’s program is in canola breeding for fungus disease resistance and I have just submitted a co-authored article which was accepted by XXX. I have attached a brief research interest statement with more details. I was reading about recent work in genetically modified wheat on the website and it looks very interesting. I am interested in building upon my master’s experience and expanding my research into related areas. I have attached a copy of my C.V. for your review.

I wish to begin MS in XX in September YYYY and would be very interested in working under your supervision. I would appreciate if you could review the attached documents and let me know what the possibilities might be.  

Yours Sincerely,

Related Articles:

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying to US and Canada for MS Programs

How to Contact Potential Supervisors for PhD in STEM fields

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 .

Share this:

Discover more from stoodnt.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Spring 2024 PhD graduates dinner reception

A doctoral degree represents the culmination of hard work and dedication; seeing it through to the finish line is a testament to hard work and perseverance!

Doctoral graduate students (including up to one guest of their choosing) and their graduate supervisor(s) are invited to attend a complimentary dinner reception to commemorate their achievements.

Note : This event is in addition to the University-wide convocation ceremonies taking place in spring 2024.

Information on how to register for the event will be emailed directly to doctoral students who have been approved to graduate for spring 2024 and their supervisor(s). We encourage PhD graduates, their guests, and supervisors to submit photos of your (or your student’s) time at Waterloo for a collage. This collage will be presented at the event and on the GSPA website following the event. You can submit photos using our Qualtrics photo submission form . The deadline to submit photos is June 2 .

Event details

Federation Hall (FED)  – the building is wheelchair accessible, and parking is available in the pay lot across the road (Lot M).

Event parking:

Lot M – Visitor Pay and display  (permit valid in lot M only) 

Visitor parking is available by purchasing a ticket from the pay and display machine. A valid permit must be always displayed. Pay & Display permits purchased here are valid only in M-lot. The permit machine accepts coins, WatCard, Visa or Mastercard. Machines in these lots do not issue change.

What to expect:

• You will be greeted as you enter the front door of Fed Hall (FED); you will go up the ramp to the front entrance of the event venue, where you will find a reception desk for check-in of graduates, guests, and supervisors/co-supervisors.
• A drink ticket (for alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages) will be provided to each guest upon check-in.
• Graduates will be provided with a gift.
• A coat check will be available (please note, we cannot be responsible for lost/stolen items).
• Seating is not pre-arranged. You are welcome to sit where you wish.
• Present your ticket at the bar for a beverage of your choice (there will also be a wine pouring during dinner). Additional drinks can be purchased for a fee. Debit/credit cards are accepted (no cash).
• A buffet dinner with dessert and coffee will be available. Tables will be called up to partake in the buffet.
• After dinner there will be short speeches from doctoral graduates, as well as senior administrators from the University of Waterloo; the formal speech component will also include a highlight of photos submitted by students, guests, and supervisors.
• If you require any additional details, please contact Ashley Ryan , Graduate and Postdoctoral Programming Specialist.

Events by date

• February (5)
• January (7)
• December (7)
• November (12)
• October (13)
• September (10)
• January (2)

Events by audience

• Current graduate students (2)
• Future graduate students (4)

Events by type

• Workshop (2)

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)

Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201

Graduate Studies Academic Calendar

Website feedback

• Contact Waterloo
• Maps & Directions
• Accessibility

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .