Careers by Major - Behaviour, Genetics & Neurobiology

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Behaviour, Genetics & Neurobiology graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions available to graduates.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Sleep Technician
  • Neurologist*
  • Genetic Counsellor*
  • Animal Assisted Therapist
  • Cardiovascular Technician*
  • Public Health Nurse*
  • Electroneurodiagnostic Technician*
  • Psychologist*
  • Epidemiologist*
  • Speech-Language Pathologist*
  • Biochemical geneticist
  • Developmental Service Worker*
  • Pediatrician*
  • Child and Youth Worker*
  • Molecular Geneticist
  • Cytogeneticist
  • Audiometric Technician
  • Pharmacologist*
  • Medical Lab Technician*
  • Veterinarian*
  • Rehabilitation Counsellor*
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Pathologist*
  • Zoologist*
  • Kinesiologist*
  • Biochemist*
  • Probation Officer*
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer*
  • Anatomist
  • Trial Consultant
  • Medical Librarian
  • Medical Geneticist
  • Social Worker*
  • Personal Care Attendant*
  • Health Care Administrator*
  • Health Records Professional*
  • Mental Health Nurse*
  • Addictions Counsellor*
  • Psychiatrist*
  • Psychiatric Aide*
  • Audiologist*
  • Police Psychologist
  • Biological Technician*
  • Case Manager
  • Special Education Teacher*
  • Toxicologist*
  • Clinical Geneticist
  • Cytotechnologist*
  • Oncologist*
  • Occupational Therapist*
  • Community Worker*
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychologist*
  • Ecologist*
  • Bioinformatics Specialist*
  • Microbiologist*
  • Physicians Assistant
  • Environmental Health Officer*
  • Animal Behaviourist
  • Genealogist
  • Medical Scientist
  • Technical Writer
  • Immunology Technologist

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide available through your Career Centre Online account.

Who employs graduates from this program?

  • Hospitals
  • Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
  • Rehab and Surgery Centres
  • Universities and colleges
  • Research laboratories/ institutes
  • Medical Clinics
  • Academic training hospitals
  • Biotechnology Companies
  • Community health and social service agencies
  • Pharmaceutical firms
  • Cancer detection centres
  • Sleep Centres
  • Psychiatric facilities
  • Neurology clinics
  • Psychology Research Development Services
  • Nursing homes, adult daycares and long-term care facilities
  • Social Advocacy Organizations

Skills developed by students in this program

  • Analyze ideas and information
  • Communication skills
  • Writing and speaking effectively
  • Design experiments and conduct studies
  • Gather, analyze and interpret data
  • Identify and understand needs
  • Independent Research
  • Inform and explain ideas
  • Make critical decisions under stressful situations
  • Observe and compare people/data/things
  • Perceive and understand individual differences
  • Understand and identify neurological diseases

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation.  Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Polysomnographic (Sleep) Technologist, MedSleep Inc.
  • Medical Assistant, Appletree Medical Group
  • Sleep Technician Trainee, Sleep Disorders Clinic Centre for Sleep & Chrono
  • Client Care Representative, Shepell-fgi
  • Laboratory Research Associate, NOVX Systems Canada Inc.
  • Neuropsychometrist, Centre for Neurodiagnostic Services
  • Guidance Consultant, ComPsych Canada Ltd.
  • Research Assistant – Neurosurgery Rese, St. Michael’s Hospital
  • Medical Assessment Administration, CWC Assessments
  • Clinical Assistant, Unionville Family Wellness Centre
  • Administrative Coordinator, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
  • Data Quality Assurance Professional, Q2 Metrics, Inc.
  • Team Leader, Appletree Medical Group
  • Research Assistant, Women’s College Hospital
  • Junior Clinical Trials Coordinator, Mediprobe Research Inc.
  • Vestibular Technician, Toronto General Hospital
  • Psychology Assistant – Junior Position, Cancelliere Psychology Professional Corporation
  • Junior Bioinformatician, Prostate Cancer
  • Clinical Informatics Specialist, Rouge Valley Health System
  • Laboratory Research Technician, Clinical Genomics Centre
  • Dual Diagnosis Specialist, Canadian Mental Health Association-Halton Region
  • Health Writer (Science background), Jack Digital Productions Inc.
  • Report Writer Assistant, Pharma Medica Research Inc.
  • Study Coordinator Assistant, Queen Spadina Medical Centre
  • Customer Service/Data Analysis, Bio Basic Inc

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions 

  • Summer Researcher, Meditch International Inc.
  • Community Food Program Assistant, Stonegate Community Health Centre
  • Seasonal Field Technician, Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
  • Senior Counselor, Moorelands Community Services
  • Undergraduate Biochemical Research, UTM Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences
  • Community/ Employment Resource Worker, East Scarborough Storefront
  • Medical Information Summer Student, Glaxosmithkline, Inc. / Hudson RPO

Part-Time Positions

  • High School Math/Science Tutor, The Heddington Learning Centre
  • Research Assistant, Institute for Work & Health
  • Superstar Facilitator, Dynamix – Teambuilding for Kids and Teens
  • Year-Round Volunteer, Toronto Zoo
  • Veterinary Clinic Receptionist, Meadowvale Animal Clinic
  • Indexing Assistant, Mediacorp Canada Inc.
  • Market Researcher, Millenium Research Group (Medical Research Company)
  • Food Bank Coordinator, UTM-Students Union
  • Research Assistant, Public Services Health and Safety Association
  • Data Entry, Lannick Recruitment

Work-Study Positions

Previous postings have included:

  • Laboratory Technician, Physiology, Department of Biology
  • Participation Assistant, UTM AccessAbility Resource Centre
  • Bioinformatics/ Genome Research, Department of Biology
  • Infant Language & Speech Lab Assistant, Department of Psychology
  • Community Development Program, Research Assistant, UTM Student Housing & Residence Life
  • Team Leader – Mental Health, UTM Health Counselling Centre
  • Undergraduate Research Trainee, Department of Psychology
  • Science Outreach Assistant, UTM Research Office

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Neuropsychologist, Baycrest
  • Biomarker Research and Development Associate, Ontario Cancer Biomarker Network
  • Social Worker, Markham Family Health Team
  • Health Care Policy Consultant, Patient’s Association of Canada
  • Genetic Counsellor, North York General Hospital
  • Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cardinal Health Canada

Volunteer Positions

  • Infection Control Administrative Volunteer, Toronto Grace Health Centre
  • Apprentice Special Needs Instructor, The BODiWORKS Centre for Specialized Wellness
  • Medical Office Assistant, Dr. T K Wong Medicine Professional Corporation
  • Clinical Research Volunteer, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Social Skills Volunteer Leader, Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto
  • Volunteer Project Assistants, Membership, Canadian Institute for Health Care Professionals
  • Rehabilitation Program Volunteer, Toronto Grace Health Centre
  • Volunteer Speech/Language Pathologist Assistant, Toronto District School Board
  • Clinic Assistant, Bayview Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine Clinic Inc.

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at UTM

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

Behaviour Genetics Association (BGA)
“The purpose of the Behavior Genetics Association is to promote the scientific study of the interrelationship of genetic mechanisms and behavior, both human and animal; to encourage and aid the education and training of research workers in the field of behavior genetics; and to aid in the dissemination and interpretation to the general public of knowledge concerning the interrelationship of genetics and behavior, and its implications for health and human development and education.”

Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
INMHA “supports research to enhance mental health, neurological health, vision, hearing, and cognitive functioning and to reduce the burden of related disorders through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.”

Brain Canada
Brain Canada’s is “the pre-eminent private source of funds in Canada to support neuroscience research capacity building within multidisciplinary research programs.”  They are also “a leader in neuroscience research strategic planning and a major partner with the public sector and voluntary health organizations in developing and supporting the neuroscience research agenda; and an important voice for innovative neuroscience research as a public good.”

Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF)
The CNSF works to “enhance the care of patients with diseases of the nervous system through education, advocacy, and improved methods of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.”  CNSF “is an umbrella organization representing four National Specialty Societies. These four organizations form the ‘membership’ of the CNSF and share a common interest in the functions and disorders of the brain and nervous system.”  The four organizations are the Canadian Neurological Society (CNS); the Canadian Association of Child Neurology (CACN); the Canadian Neurosurgical Society (CNSS); and the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists (CSCN)

Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses (CANN)
“CANN standards of practice and promotes continuing professional education and research. Members collaborate with individuals, families, interdisciplinary teams and communities to prevent illness and to improve health outcomes for people with, or at risk for, neurological disorders.”

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Careers for Scientific Types & Others with Inquiring Minds
  • Careers for Scholars & Other Deep Thinkers
  • Social & Rehabilitation Services
  • Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals
  • Animal Lovers & Other Zoological Types
  • Great Jobs for Biology Majors
  • Clinical Laboratory Science Careers
  • Opportunities in Biological Science Careers
  • Your Career in Psychology: Psychology and the Law
  • Your Career in Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Career Centre Library Panel Packages:

  • Biochemistry: The Chemistry of Life (2009)
  • Career Panel for Biology (2011)
  • Beyond the Stethoscope: Careers in Health Care (2006)
  • The Amazing World of Physiology (2008)
  • Psychology: Networking with Professionals (2010)
  • Careers in Counselling (2005)

Web Links:

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).