Comprehensive · Source does not publish commencement date
DECISION SUMMARY
Key facts at a glance
Eligibility
International route mentioned
Funding
If not self-funded, the fellow is paid by the Complex Spine Surgery program at a salary of CAD 70,000 per year, plus a proportion of surgical-assist billings if eligible to bill.
Deadline
1 February 2027
Duration
Typically one year (can be extended based on career goals)
Hands-on
Unclear — confirm privileges
Clinical exposureFour months on the neurosurgical spine rotation at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, four months on the orthopaedic spine rotation there, and four months on a combined rotation at the University of Alberta Hospital with all nine surgeons. 3–4 days per week in the OR, about 400 surgical cases; whole spectrum including deformity correction and intradural pathology; optional exposure to the Stollery Children's Hospital scoliosis clinic. Clinical fellowship with in-patient care and consults; spine call about 1:4 second call.
Participation levelClinical participation and hands-on restrictions must be confirmed directly with the host.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
Can an international surgeon apply?
≈Partially published
International applicants
International applicants are considered; applicants whose medical school language was not English need the stated IELTS/OET levels.
?Confirm directly with host
Clinical role
Clinical or combined training pathway; exact duties remain appointment-specific. Hands-on participation and operative restrictions are not explicitly published.
—Not published
Medical registration
Registration and licensing requirements are not published by the cited source.
—Not published
Language
No formal language requirement is published by the cited source.
≈Partially published
Visa or work authorisation
Not published on the programme page
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY72% of core application fields verifiedChecked 3 Oct 2026 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-04-01
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ funding✓ benefits✓ eligibility✓ international eligibility✓ deadline✓ application process✓ required documents✓ official contact✓ faculty✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— positions · official sources conflict— commencement / intake · not published by the cited official source— accommodation / relocation · queued for source review— Language requirement not published · queued for source review— Registration information not published · not published by the cited official source— visa / work authorisation · not published by the cited official source— application portal · not published by the cited official source— Verified faculty photograph not available · queued for source review
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadline1 February 2027
Commencing dateIntake date not published
Application route / cycleApplications for the 2028 position are open from 1 September 2026 to 1 February 2027; applicants are notified of interview by 1 March, interviews run until June and selection follows. The most recent window (for the 2027 position) has ended.
Minimum level of training in general spinal surgery; completed orthopaedic or neurosurgical residency (complex spine fellowship)
For fellows whose medical-school language of instruction was not English: IELTS preference above 7.0 in each segment or OET above B in each segment
Application also through the University of Alberta postgraduate medical education office once selected
Application documents
Curriculum vitae
Cover letter describing interest in the University of Alberta spine program and career aspirations
Three letters of reference
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
One-year complex spine fellowship in Edmonton with a published CAD 70,000 salary and an open 2028-position application window. Note: Positions: University of Alberta page states four per year; the Canadian Spine Society directory states two clinical positions per year. Fellowship administrator: University of Alberta page names Pam Weber; the Canadian Spine Society directory names Jennifer Granfield (same email nsurgpg@ualberta.ca).
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Fellowship certificate from the University of Alberta; salary as stated.
HOST INSTITUTION
About University of Alberta
Combined neurosurgery and orthopaedic Complex Spine Program at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and University of Alberta Hospital; participating centre in the Canadian Spine Outcomes Research Network. Host: University of Alberta / Royal Alexandra Hospital and University of Alberta Hospital.
