RNA-seq Analysis Workshop

Hands-on Training in RNA-seq Data Analysis

RNA-seq technologies are an important tool for biomedical research, particularly for determining the molecular mechanisms that drive stem cell fate. This intensive course provides theoretical background and practical skills for the analysis of both bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data.

The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is pleased to offer the popular RNA-seq Analysis Workshop once again, with sessions covering both bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq. The course will be held from June 1-2, 2026 (with an invite-only tutorial session on June 3, 2026).

Workshop participants without a strong background in R are encouraged to take the online R tutorial session before their session starts – details for the online R tutorial session will be provided to successful applicants. An optional third day will be offered for the workshop and will be by invitation only for those trainees with their own RNA-seq data. The tutorial session will be spent on the analysis of these data with support provided through online interaction with the workshop instructors.

The workshop is organized by Dr. Ted Perkins and the Ottawa Bioinformatics Core Facility.

Who Should Attend?

This RNA-seq Analysis Workshop is designed for stem cell biologists (and other end users) who are looking to gain an understanding of the bioinformatics concepts and processes used to acquire, analyze, and interpret bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data.

Learning Objectives

Through a mixture of interactive lectures and computer lab exercises, participants will learn about RNA-seq data acquisition and analysis and will gain hands-on training in RNA-seq data analysis. The course content is focused on RNA-seq data, but many aspects are applicable to data obtained from other platforms such as ChIP-seq and mass spectrometry.

The course will provide:

A basic understanding of bulk and single cell RNA-seq technologies.
Training in how to process raw RNA-seq data into differential gene expression lists.
An understanding of the different statistical tests used to analyze gene sets.
Experience with functional annotation enrichment analysis tools.
Experience with the analysis of bulk and single cell RNA-seq data.

Additional Details

The main workshop will be held as a two-day session from June 1-2, 2026. The third day of the workshop (June 3, 2026) will be by invitation only for those trainees with their own RNA-seq data, and will be spent on the analysis of these data with support provided through online interaction with the workshop instructors.

Dates/Times (all held 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. EDT):

Main Workshop: June 1-2, 2026

Invite-Only Tutorial: June 3, 2026

Workshop participants who are not familiar with R are encouraged to complete an online R tutorial before the workshop. Tutorial details will be provided to accepted applicants.

How to Apply

Complete the application form here by 11:59 PM (sender’s time), April 21, 2026.
Provide your CV as part of the application form.
After you submit your application, your academic supervisor entered above will automatically receive an email with instructions to upload a confidential letter of support. Please follow up with them to ensure they receive this email and submit their letters by the application deadline described on the website. We strongly recommend contacting your references well in advance of the deadline. The SCN Training & Education Committee will review all complete applications, and applicants will be informed of the competition outcome by early May.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a trainee/highly qualified personnel (HQP) (i.e. a graduate student, post-doc, research associate and/or technician) currently working on a research project in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine in a Canadian lab.
If you’re unsure whether you are eligible, please email trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca for confirmation.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate that they will apply the techniques learned at the course to their own research project within one year.

Conditions

Note that participants in this course are required to use their own laptop computers, with head-set for audio and webcam for video interaction. A second monitor/screen is also highly recommended.
Spaces are limited for this training opportunity. SCN will cover the registration costs (paid directly to the organizers) of this workshop for applicants who attend all sessions and complete all elements of the online content within the designated period. For applicants who fail to attend all sessions or complete the course content, a fee of $700 will be charged to their supervisor to cover the costs associated with delivering this training opportunity.
By accepting a place in this opportunity, the recipient agrees to complete a survey describing the value of the training and networking opportunities. This information will be used at SCN’s discretion on its website, newsletters and for the purpose of reporting to their funding agencies.
By registering for this event, attendees also accept to have their pictures taken and used in materials as described above.