OPPORTUNITIES
As Canada’s premier health care museum, the Canadian Museum of Health Care offers a meaningful and dynamic environment for those interested in the intersection of health, heritage, and education. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as emerging and established professionals. Opportunities range from volunteer roles and internships to contract and seasonal positions in areas such as collections, education, public programming, and visitor services.
Get Involved with the Museum
Board of Directors
The Canadian Museum of Health Care is seeking dedicated volunteer leaders to join our Board of Directors to help shape the future of Canada’s health care story. As Canada's only museum devoted to the history of health care, we preserve and share over 30,000 artifacts that document the evolution of medicine, public health, and the patient experience in this country.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Board service is a volunteer commitment of approximately 2-3 hours per month, including six board meetings per year, and active support for the Museum's fundraising and community engagement work.
We welcome applications from candidates across Canada. Board meetings are held virtually, and we are committed to making board participation accessible regardless of where you are located.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking individuals with professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
Business management and organizational leadership
Finance, accounting, or audit
Fundraising, development, or donor relations
Strategic planning, law, or community engagement
Beyond professional skills, we are looking for people who are genuinely passionate about Canada's health care heritage and the role museums play in building informed, healthy communities.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your current CV or résumé and a short statement of intent (no more than one page) describing your interest in the Museum, the skills you would bring to the board, and the position you are applying for to the attention to:
Dr. Simge Erdogan-O'Connor, Museum Director
32 George Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 2V7
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Alternative Practicum
The Canadian Museum of Health Care proudly serves as a placement site for Queen’s University’s Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) students completing their Alternative Practicum. This unique, three-week placement allows teacher candidates to apply their skills in a museum setting while exploring non-traditional forms of education and public programming. Participants engage in meaningful projects such as developing learning resources, designing exhibits, or supporting educational initiatives that connect health history with diverse audiences.
For further information and to apply, contact us here.
Internships and Field Placements
The Canadian Museum of Health Care offers enriching internship experiences for students and emerging professionals interested in health history, museum practice, and public engagement. Interns contribute meaningfully to the Museum’s work through placements in collections, exhibitions, education, communications, and visitor services. Each internship is designed to support learning goals while offering hands-on experience in a professional heritage environment. Internships may be arranged as unpaid academic placements, work-integrated learning opportunities, or paid positions funded through external grants and programs such as Young Canada Works and Canada Summer Jobs.
The Museum collaborates closely with interns to ensure mentorship, skill-building, and a supportive, inclusive atmosphere throughout the experience. Whether you're pursuing a career in museums, health care, or education, an internship at the Canadian Museum of Health Care provides a unique opportunity to explore the past while shaping the future of public history.
If you are interested in having an internship or placement at the Canadian Museum of Health Care, contact us here.
Volunteers
Volunteers play a vital role at the Canadian Museum of Health Care. Whether supporting collections care, assisting with public programs and events, or enhancing visitor experiences, volunteers make a meaningful impact on the Museum’s daily operations and community outreach. We welcome individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are enthusiastic, dependable, and passionate about history, health care, or education.
Volunteer opportunities are flexible and can be tailored to individual interests and availability. In return, volunteers gain valuable experience, learn new skills, and become part of a supportive and engaging museum community. Training and orientation are provided, and all contributions are deeply appreciated.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Canadian Museum of Health Care, contact us today.
Margaret Angus Research Fellowship
Applications are now closed for the 2026 Margaret Angus Research Fellowship
Every spring, the Canadian Museum of Health Care accepts proposals for a resident 16-week summer research fellowship (May – September), which will investigate a topic relevant to the history of health and health care. The fellow will communicate the results of their research by posting updates via the Museum’s blog, producing a scholarly manuscript that will become part of the Museum’s collection, and giving a public presentation in the fall.
Topics of research should focus on artefacts in the Museum’s collections or key themes/developments/individuals in the history of health care. It must clearly relate to the history and/or science of health and health care.
Please keep an eye on this space for the 2027 call for applications.
Applications must include:
A letter of application explaining the candidate’s interest in the fellowship, detailing their suitability for the position, and noting their selected topic.
An up-to-date CV including the candidate’s name, address, and contact information; education to date; previous employment experience; and other relevant activities.
A brief research proposal (300-350 words), which describes the topic and proposed research plan, reasons for the candidate’s choice of this topic, and how the project would utilize the Museum’s collections, reference materials, and/or exhibits, and/or enhance the Museum’s educational programs.
Two academic letters of reference.
Submit your application package to:
Rowena McGowan, Curator
Canadian Museum of Health Care, Ann Baillie Building, 32 George Street
Kingston, ON | K7L 2V7
rowena.mcgowan@kingstonhsc.ca
Applications are currently closed.