Jaroslaw W.

First, I would like to thank all the experts who enlighten us on
immigration matters, in particular Mr. Miller, whose previous reply
made me seriously consider a postdoctoral fellowship.

I've done some web research and contacted potential institutions.
There are some possiblilities but the problem is with what exactly a
fellowship is from the immigration officials' point od view. In other
words, what kind of research job offer, which is related to my
qualifications, allows me to untertake research work without
additional hastle of obtaining work permit.

As I understand it, I need a letter from a research institution
offering me research position. In my case it would be research on
health system financing. Now, a consulting firm, run by researchers
with Ph.D. degrees, is willing to invite me, but offers only small
funds, posiibly 5000 dollars for one year. In addition they might
cover my flight expences and housing - everything is subject to
negotiations and that's why I need to know in advance what I should
ask for. I have my own funds to prove to the visa officials that I can
support myself in Canada during my fellowship. From what I gather, my
wife would easily obtain an open permit which would give us additional
income.

The real questions are:
1. Who can "invite" me as a reasearch fellow, aside form universities?
A private company, a private consulting firm, a think tank, an NGO?

2. Who can provide the funds? What if I have a rich uncle or my family
runs a fundation? What is the minimum amount?

3. Can the fellowship be in kind, such as airfare+housing+food? A real
possiblilty for me would be to be a fellow while undergoing training,
the training being a form of benefit.

I understand, that the amount of fellowship is taxed and subcject to
pension contributions and that the time while working counts towards
my retirement.

One more thing. Since my research work is largely independent and
web-based, would it be possible to be a research fellow while
teleworking part of the time. Let's say I go to Canada, discuss the
work and then go back to Poland to do actual reaseach, while
teleconferencing every day or so. It might make a lot of sense because
of the famous/infamous "Canadian work experience" which I might need
for my future career. I understand that Canadian work experience need
not be performed physically in Canada, as long as I am employed (as a
research fellow) by a Canadian institution/company.

Thanks in advance,
Jaroslaw

Abram Schwartz

What is your area of specialization? What school/country is your PhD
from? If you are in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Applied
Math, let me know through the news group. I work at the university and
know several professors who are hiring postdocs for their research
projects at the moment.

Jaroslaw W. wrote:
    > First, I would like to thank all the experts who enlighten us on
    > immigration matters, in particular Mr. Miller, whose previous reply
    > made me seriously consider a postdoctoral fellowship.
    >
    > I've done some web research and contacted potential institutions.
    > There are some possiblilities but the problem is with what exactly a
    > fellowship is from the immigration officials' point od view. In other
    > words, what kind of research job offer, which is related to my
    > qualifications, allows me to untertake research work without
    > additional hastle of obtaining work permit.
    >
    > As I understand it, I need a letter from a research institution
    > offering me research position. In my case it would be research on
    > health system financing. Now, a consulting firm, run by researchers
    > with Ph.D. degrees, is willing to invite me, but offers only small
    > funds, posiibly 5000 dollars for one year. In addition they might
    > cover my flight expences and housing - everything is subject to
    > negotiations and that's why I need to know in advance what I should
    > ask for. I have my own funds to prove to the visa officials that I can
    > support myself in Canada during my fellowship. From what I gather, my
    > wife would easily obtain an open permit which would give us additional
    > income.
    >
    > The real questions are:
    > 1. Who can "invite" me as a reasearch fellow, aside form universities?
    > A private company, a private consulting firm, a think tank, an NGO?
    >
    > 2. Who can provide the funds? What if I have a rich uncle or my family
    > runs a fundation? What is the minimum amount?
    >
    > 3. Can the fellowship be in kind, such as airfare+housing+food? A real
    > possiblilty for me would be to be a fellow while undergoing training,
    > the training being a form of benefit.
    >
    > I understand, that the amount of fellowship is taxed and subcject to
    > pension contributions and that the time while working counts towards
    > my retirement.
    >
    > One more thing. Since my research work is largely independent and
    > web-based, would it be possible to be a research fellow while
    > teleworking part of the time. Let's say I go to Canada, discuss the
    > work and then go back to Poland to do actual reaseach, while
    > teleconferencing every day or so. It might make a lot of sense because
    > of the famous/infamous "Canadian work experience" which I might need
    > for my future career. I understand that Canadian work experience need
    > not be performed physically in Canada, as long as I am employed (as a
    > research fellow) by a Canadian institution/company.
    >
    > Thanks in advance,
    > Jaroslaw

Jaroslaw W.

My education is a little complicated. I believe this may apply to an
increasing number of people who venture into variuos fields on the
belief that multidisciplinary approach pays off. I seriously doubt it
does - narrow specialization seems to be favoured.

I did my B.A. at a top US liberal arts college. Then I did my medical
studies in Poland and became a doctor. I had many other interests,
read the "wrong" books, and started to question the "medical model" of
health. This brought me to health systems and I did my doctoral
studies in management/finance with a focus on health systems
financing.

Althought it seems to be a narrow field it is not too easy to find a
place to do research. I've been contacting individual scholars and I
have established some contacts, but I'm still far form being offered a
paid fellowship. If I were a PR I could easily apply to Health Canada
or look at some international development organizations. Research in
my field in unlike in computer science or applied math, it's more like
organizational theory, strategic management, population health and it
has quite a bit to do with politics. Of course I could do some menial
office work and web site maintainance and not just lofty research, as
long as I'm actually learning in the process.

By the way, not being able to find a job for a couple of years might
be very beneficial. If you work with somebody you usually follow their
research patterns, you keep asking the same questions. When you are
free form duties and motivated enough, and connected to the Internet,
you can come up with some brand new concepts. I think I did, mostly
because it's more than a job for me, it's a way of life

I would appreciate any advice and contacts that could make my search
more fruitful.

Jaroslaw

Abram Schwartz <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
    > What is your area of specialization? What school/country is your PhD
    > from? If you are in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Applied
    > Math, let me know through the news group. I work at the university and
    > know several professors who are hiring postdocs for their research
    > projects at the moment.
    >
    > Jaroslaw W. wrote:
    > > First, I would like to thank all the experts who enlighten us on
    > > immigration matters, in particular Mr. Miller, whose previous reply
    > > made me seriously consider a postdoctoral fellowship.
    > >
    > > I've done some web research and contacted potential institutions.
    > > There are some possiblilities but the problem is with what exactly a
    > > fellowship is from the immigration officials' point od view. In other
    > > words, what kind of research job offer, which is related to my
    > > qualifications, allows me to untertake research work without
    > > additional hastle of obtaining work permit.
    > >
    > > As I understand it, I need a letter from a research institution
    > > offering me research position. In my case it would be research on
    > > health system financing. Now, a consulting firm, run by researchers
    > > with Ph.D. degrees, is willing to invite me, but offers only small
    > > funds, posiibly 5000 dollars for one year. In addition they might
    > > cover my flight expences and housing - everything is subject to
    > > negotiations and that's why I need to know in advance what I should
    > > ask for. I have my own funds to prove to the visa officials that I can
    > > support myself in Canada during my fellowship. From what I gather, my
    > > wife would easily obtain an open permit which would give us additional
    > > income.
    > >
    > > The real questions are:
    > > 1. Who can "invite" me as a reasearch fellow, aside form universities?
    > > A private company, a private consulting firm, a think tank, an NGO?
    > >
    > > 2. Who can provide the funds? What if I have a rich uncle or my family
    > > runs a fundation? What is the minimum amount?
    > >
    > > 3. Can the fellowship be in kind, such as airfare+housing+food? A real
    > > possiblilty for me would be to be a fellow while undergoing training,
    > > the training being a form of benefit.
    > >
    > > I understand, that the amount of fellowship is taxed and subcject to
    > > pension contributions and that the time while working counts towards
    > > my retirement.
    > >
    > > One more thing. Since my research work is largely independent and
    > > web-based, would it be possible to be a research fellow while
    > > teleworking part of the time. Let's say I go to Canada, discuss the
    > > work and then go back to Poland to do actual reaseach, while
    > > teleconferencing every day or so. It might make a lot of sense because
    > > of the famous/infamous "Canadian work experience" which I might need
    > > for my future career. I understand that Canadian work experience need
    > > not be performed physically in Canada, as long as I am employed (as a
    > > research fellow) by a Canadian institution/company.
    > >
    > > Thanks in advance,
    > > Jaroslaw