Clinical Ethics Fellow

Overview

The Centre for Clinical Ethics (CCE) at Unity Health Toronto and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, in collaboration with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Sinai Health System, invite applications for a two‑year, full‑time fellowship in clinical, organizational and research ethics, starting September 2026 in Toronto, Canada. This is an externally funded fellowship with secured funding. Complete applications are due by the end of the day on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Program Goals and Vision

The primary purpose of the fellowship is to train individuals to be competent practising healthcare ethicists across the continuum of care and in both faith‑based and non‑faith‑based settings, while cultivating leaders prepared to shape future healthcare ethics practice. Fellows will be trained in clinical consultations, organisational consultations (including policy review), research ethics review, ethics education, and academic bioethics scholarship. The training encourages recruitment of candidates representative of the communities served and focused on health equity.

Program Structure

A Fellow spends the first six months at Unity Health Toronto and/or with clinical ethicists across partner systems, focused on immersive education. Subsequently, Fellows undertake a series of six‑month clinical rotations across CAMH, SickKids, Sinai Health System, and a final rotation at Unity Health. Work is in‑person, 9 am‑5 pm, with 70‑80% devoted to onsite activities and 20‑30% to structured learning and scholarship. Fellows may graduate between 18‑24 months; completion of the 18‑month mark is required to receive a certificate. The final rotation focuses on transition to practice.

Compensation

• Approximately CAD $55,000 per year with eligible cost‑of‑living increase.
• Paid statutory holidays.
• Reimbursement for University of Toronto registration fees, Canadian Bioethics Society conference registration, and, with approval, other relevant conferences/workshops.
• Comprehensive health insurance program as a full‑time temporary employee at Unity Health.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Graduate degree in a field relevant to bioethics (bioethics, disability studies, equity studies, Indigenous studies, law, medical science, philosophy, religion, theology) and coursework in ethics, including bioethics.
• Exceptional path candidates (Indigenous elders, community leaders) with advanced capabilities in moral reasoning, analysis, recommendation formulation, and communication.
• Applied experience in ethics or healthcare (e.g., regulated or allied health professional), interest in translating academic skills to real‑world contexts, or background supporting moral decision‑making.
• Applicants already holding or able to provide Canadian work authorization; no visa sponsorship.
• Strong emphasis on candidates who are Indigenous, Black or racialised, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, and otherwise contribute to diversification.
• Requirement to have completed degree or submitted thesis for defense before start date, unless a prior exception is granted.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Rotation sites are generally physically accessible; further accommodations will be provided as needed. Persons with disabilities will be accommodated during recruitment.

Applying

Submit the following items through Human Resources.

• Full curriculum vitae (no page limit).
• Cover letter of 1‑3 pages.

In Your CV and Cover Letter Statement, Consider Emphasizing

• Interest in healthcare ethics and motivation for the fellowship.
• Experience in clinical, organisational, or research ethics.
• Unique interdisciplinary, interprofessional, or international training that enriches bioethics capacity.
• Experience in applied ethical problem‑solving, health and social care settings, or with vulnerable populations.
• Experience with consultation, policy review, teaching, knowledge mobilisation, advocacy, leadership, collaboration, and scholarship.
• Sensitivity to faith‑based and secular moral reasoning.
• Scholarly project proposal: a separate 1‑2 page statement proposing a feasible bioethics‑related project for the fellowship (no REB required).

We do not require a writing sample, reference letters, or a rotation preference statement at the application stage. These may be requested later.

Recruitment Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of CCE staff, possibly including staff from CAMH, SickKids, and Sinai. Interviews will be held in March 2026. Candidates requiring accommodation should contact Human Resources.

For questions, email Lynda Sullivan at Lynda.Sullivan@unityhealth.to.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment. We adhere to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accommodation requests are handled confidentially in compliance with privacy and dignity standards.

Contact Information

Schedule an informational Zoom session: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Zoom Meeting ID: 647 9449 6362. Passcode: 476482.