Physics Co-op
Want to graduate with paid work experience from a top employer already on your resume? A Science Co-op in physics 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 Physics Co-op Roles
- Systems Developer
- Laboratory Assistant
- Computational Engineering Assistant
- Lab Technician
- Analytical Co-op
- Research Assistant
- Data Analysis Co-op
Physics Co-op Employers
Hear what physics co-op students have to say…
Matthew Garayt, SFU alumnus
B.C. Children’s Hospital, Respiratory Clinic, Columbia Containers and E-One Moli Energy
After graduating from SFU, I worked at E-One Moli Energy full-time for almost two years and am currently a PhD student working on lithium- and sodium-ion batteries at Dalhousie University. Through the co-op program, relationships and connections are built that can lead to opportunities down the road. For example, my work term at Columbia Containers was borne out of an interview from a previous term where I did not receive an offer but showed interest in their organization and remained in contact with them.
Symphony Huang, SFU alumnus
Kavanagh Lab, SFU (Summer 2017), E-One Moli Energy (Summer 2018), Luican-Mayer Lab, uOttawa (Summer 2019)
I completed 3 co-op terms during my undergrad in Physics at SFU: one in an industrial setting at Moli Energy and two in separate academic research laboratories. I was lucky enough to obtain my third work placement at the University of Ottawa, thanks to networking at the CCUWiP conference I attended in January 2019, where I met professor Adina Luican-Mayer, who researches quantum materials and later hired me in her lab the following summer. Having co-op experience helped me identify what I enjoyed working on and which skills I wanted to continue developing. So that led me to go on to study quantum materials at McMaster University with professor Bruce Gaulin and I had the opportunity to travel the world for neutron scattering experiments and conferences. I now work at Svante Technologies in Vancouver as a material characterization specialist, supporting product development through microscopy, experiments, and method development. My co-op and graduate school experiences trained me well for my first full-time role in industry, training me as a scientist and as a professional.
Kristy Ma, Chemical Physics major
ALS Environment (Summer/Fall 2023), BC Research (Summer/Fall 2025)
Working as a co-op student at ALS and BCRI allowed me to apply what I learned in class to real laboratory work and gain valuable hands-on experience that I would not have had in an academic setting. These roles also allowed me to explore various areas of the field, from industry-based testing to research-focused work, and to gain insight into how laboratories operate across different environments. Having different co-op experiences helped me better understand the type of work I enjoy and build confidence in connecting and interacting with colleagues. Overall, these opportunities helped me grow both professionally and personally while preparing me for future work in the field. My advice for future co-op students is to stay curious and ask questions whenever you can. Even if a task or technique seems complicated at first, most colleagues are very supportive and happy to teach.