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: 2.4
- 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鈥�
Isaac Lauren
RISE program 鈥� 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鈥檚 co-op experiences .
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鈥� 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.