The Toxopeus lab values equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from anyone with an interest in freezing bugs!
If you are interested in joining the lab, please see our Research page for information on current projects, and contact Dr. Toxopeus via email to discuss your interests in contributing to these (or related) projects.
Here is some general advice from a colleague on how to get involved in research as an undergraduate student or graduate student.
Undergraduate Student Research Opportunities
Volunteering
Students who would like to get some lab experience are welcome to volunteer.
Biol 399 – Biological Research Experience
Students who have taken Biol 111 and 112 may take this 3-credit research-focused course with permission of the instructor (for 2026: course instructors are Jen Perry and Cory Bishop).
Biol 499 – Directed Study
Get course credit to do research! Students with at least 12 credits of Biology and an average of at least 70% in those credits may pursue an area of interest not normally offered by the department by taking Biol 499 (Directed Studies) for course credit (3 and 6 credit options available) under the guidance of a professor. This can take the form of a student-led research project supported by the professor. Interested students should contact the professor at least two months before the semester in which they want to do a Directed Study.
Summer Research Assistants
Get paid to do research! Usually reserved for students who have already volunteered or completed a Directed Study project, have research experience from courses or other labs, or are successful in obtaining a summer research award. Interested students should ideally contact the professor at least four months before the summer session begins (i.e. in early January).
Honours Thesis
Get course credit and get paid to do research! Honours students conduct research (typically in the summer between third and fourth year) and write a thesis (6 credits in their fourth year) with the support of their thesis advisor (professor). Research can also be conducted during the fourth year if students prefer. Honours students must identify a faculty member who will act as a thesis advisor by September of their fourth year, but earlier discussions are encouraged. Details on the Biology Honours Program can be found here.
Graduate Student Research Opportunities
M.Sc. Program
Details on the St. FX M.Sc. Biology program are here. Students typically start their program in September (fall semester) or May (spring semester). Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply for scholarship funding (with the support of a supervisor) prior to the start of their program. The main scholarship available is NSERC CGRS-M, which is due December 1 each year and is restricted to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Ph.D. Program
St. FX does not have its own Ph.D. program, but Ph.D. students can do their thesis entirely in the lab of a St. FX Biology professor as long as they are formally registered in the Ph.D. program of another university. Many students choose to enroll at Memorial University (Newfoundland), which they can do under the supervision of a St. FX professor. Details are here. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply for scholarship funding (with the support of a supervisor) prior to the start of their program. The main scholarship available is NSERC CGRS-D, which is due October 17 each year and is restricted to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
