Chemistry Co-op
Want to graduate with paid work experience from a top employer already on your resume? A Science Co-op in chemistry can get you going. Hone your skills and knowledge in real industry scenarios, explore different roles and workplaces in B.C. or abroad, and build your networks and references. Plus, a Science Co-op can help you find work during any semester, not just over the job-competitive summer months.
CO-OP QUICK FACTS
- Integrate work experience with your academic studies and get the opportunity to gain a year or more of paid work experience during your program
- Complete a minimum of three work terms and earn a Co-operative Education Designation with your Bachelor of Science degree
- Join the co-op program early in your studies for the most flexibility when scheduling courses and work terms
- Apply two terms in advance of your first intended work term (e.g. apply to co-op in Fall to prepare for a Summer work term the following year)
- Minimum CGPA to apply: 2.5
- During each work term, you are enrolled in the Co-op Practicum course and maintain your status as a full-time student
- Visit the co-op website for upcoming application deadlines
Example Chemistry Co-op Roles
- Analytical Development Co-op
- Chemistry Research Assistant
- Failure Analysis Co-op
- Formulations Lab Assistant
- Lab Analyst Co-op
- Laboratory Support Technician
- Process and Cell Development
- QC Chemistry Analyst
- Research and Development Co-op
- Student Field Chemist
Chemistry Co-op Employers
Hear what chemistry co-op students have to say…
Isaac Lauren
RISE program – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Nanotechnology, Germany (Summer 2025) and E-One Moli Energy (Spring/Fall 2023)
I began my first co-op in 2023, studying lithium-ion cells at E-One Moli Energy. The research experiences I gained there ultimately enabled me to work in the electrochemistry group of Prof. Stefanie Dehnen, a well-established inorganic chemist, in Karlsruhe, Germany, studying solid-state electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries. I was able to utilize and improve skills I had already learned in a different context, while also gaining experience with new tools and synthetic techniques. Perhaps the most fun I had was becoming friends and socializing with everyone in the group. I let myself explore my interests in the musical and visual arts in a country with a rich history of both, which also helped me reflect on my future goals.
Read more about Isaac’s co-op experiences here.
Brianna Wu
Canadian Border Services Agency (Spring 2025)
I worked at a Canada Border Services Agency satellite lab as a student chemist, analyzing various drugs and substances that pass through the Canadian border. Our primary function was to determine the composition of suspicious materials to aid border officers’ responses. Going into it, I had little idea of what exactly I wanted to pursue post-graduation. However, as I worked, I was able to learn more about myself and what direction I wanted to pursue career-wise.
Mariya Konovalova
STEMCELL Technologies (Summer/Fall 2024)
Working at STEMCELL Technologies was an awesome experience. I primarily worked in the laboratory doing rheology, spectroscopy, and synthesis, but I also had many opportunities to craft presentations and present my data to other teams in the company. Through my co-op placement, I was able to find more direction for my future career and educational goals, not just through the work itself but also through discussions with my team members and supervisors.