Life Sciences BC is hosting our 7th Annual Career Connect Day on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre – a full-day event bringing together BC’s leading life sciences employers, students, and job seekers. This is the largest life sciences career event of its kind, with hundreds expected to join for employer booths, career-focused programming, and networking.
Event details
When: Friday, January 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PT
Hello students of Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest!
It’s that time of year again, the 47th Annual Pacific Ecology and Evolution Conference (PEEC) is once again back at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, and we are now accepting registration and abstracts! This conference is organized and run by graduate students for early career scientists, and is an amazing opportunity to share your work, get valuable feedback from peers, and network with other students in your field in a supportive and casual environment.
We invite students addressing ecological and evolutionary questions across a range of backgrounds and study systems to present their work in either a 12-minute presentation, a 3- minute condensed talk, or a poster. However, presenting is not mandatory: simply attending and helping this think tank by listening and asking questions is also encouraged! Indeed, by bringing people from different labs, departments, and universities together, PEEC creates a melting pot of scientific thoughts and innovations, and an opportunity to network outside your school and research group.
This 47th edition of PEEC will be happening on April 3-5th, 2026 – so start planning now! The conference fees will be $300, subsidized thanks to our generous sponsors. Along with the conference this includes two nights accommodation and meals in Bamfield at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, a great chance to see the research facilities they offer to graduate students. Registration is now open and will close on March 6th. The registration form and other information about the conference can be accessed via our website www.peec.ca.
For more information, feel free to contact us at peec.conference@gmail.com, or visit our website and social media accounts (see below). We look forward to another successful and exciting PEEC this year!
We would like to invite you to participate in our UVic Global Community Mentorship and/or Conversation Partners Program as well as some important upcoming information sessions and workshops tailored for international students. Please see below for details!
Workshops and sessions for International Students: Check out these great sessions and workshops to help you settle into life at UVic! These sessions are tailored for new international students, but are great workshops for any international students wanting a refresher on the topics. We hope you will join.
UVic Global Community: We also invite you to join our Global Community programs to make friends, learn about other cultures, and connect with students at UVic.
Be matched with a volunteer in our Mentorship or Conversation Partners Programs for the spring term. Please register by January 15th.
@UVicInternational Instagram Account: Follow @UVicInternational for updates about events, programs, workshops and student life throughout your time at UVic.
We hope to see you participate in the Mentorship and/or Conversation Partners program and our workshops and events. We wish you all the best for 2026 Spring term!
Sincerely,
Jayanti, Cecilia and Johnny (on behalf of the International Centre for Students Team)
Jayanti Bachani Foelster, Cecilia Rose and Johnny TaoGlobal Community Advisers, International Centre for Students
Interested in puruing a M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree in life science research?
Open to undergraduate and graduate students in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program (Master 1 and 2) related to life sciences, this event offers a unique opportunity to discover the various training opportunities offered by IRIC researchers.
Location: UVic Welcome Centre, B104, Jamie Cassels Centre
Did you know, to earn employment income in Canada you must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? Having a SIN allows you to get paid for your work and access important government programs. A SIN does not give you authorization to work in Canada. Please visit our Working in Canada page for more information on volunteering and paid work.
To get a SIN, you can apply online or in-person through Service Canada, or join our upcoming SIN Application Drop-in on January 6. Service Canada representatives will be coming to UVic to help international students obtain a SIN. Worksafe BC will also be tabling to provide information on worker’s rights. Students will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, as time and capacity allow. Please see the event description for a detailed list of what documentation to bring.
Location:UVic Welcome Centre, B104, Jamie Cassels Centre
All UVic international students planning to study in BC for more than 6 months must apply for the BC Medical Services Plan. Learn more on the ICS website and on Health Insurance BC’s BC MSP application page.
Join this drop-in to get assistance with applying for BC MSP or to ask any questions you have about navigating health insurance as an international student.
Students will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, as time and capacity allow.
We are hiring for potentially seven different streams this year and will be accepting applications until 4 pm on January 9, 2026. Attached here is the job poster and descriptions of the streams.
Seasonal Auxiliary Opportunities Junior Fish Culture Technicians (STO 12) Outreach and Junior Research Technicians (STO 12)
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) is an independent, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors with a mandate to provide hatchery and related fisheries management services to various clients and partners including the Province of BC, other jurisdictions, First Nations, Crown Corporations, Community Associations and the private sector.
We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Junior Fish Culture Technicians to join our Operations Division in various locations which may include Abbotsford, Clearwater, Duncan, Fort Steele, Summerland and/or Vanderhoof. We are also seeking up to two Outreach and Junior Research Technicians at the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre in Vanderhoof. Seasonal opportunities will typically vary in duration from 2 to 5 months commencing in April 2026 and beyond.
Qualified applicants are welcome to apply on both opportunities. To learn more about these opportunities and to apply, please submit your resumé and respond to the application questions via this site or visit https://www.gofishbc.com/about-us/careers/.
These opportunities are open to both internal and external applicants, and applications will be accepted until January 7, 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected to continue to the next phase of the recruitment process will be contacted. External hires for the STO 12 positions will be paid an intern rate at the grid 10 level ($28.4499 hourly) for the period equivalent to six month’s employment (913 hours). Upon reaching 913 hours, employees will move to Grid 12, Step 1 ($30.0769 hourly).
In addition to the hourly salary, these positions qualify for compensation of $0.72 per working hour up to a maximum of $50.40 per biweekly pay period in lieu of sick time and benefits, and vacation pay at the rate of six percent of regular earnings.
For information on the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC please visit www.gofishbc.com.
Life Sciences BC is hosting our 7th Annual Career Connect Day on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre – a full-day event bringing together BC’s leading life sciences employers, students, and job seekers. This is the largest life sciences career event of its kind, with hundreds expected to join for employer booths, career-focused programming, and networking.
The UBC Micro-Certificate in Analytics for Leaders in Ocean Management offers a unique opportunity to strengthen your expertise in aquatic data sciences and marine ecosystem modelling. Designed and delivered by the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, this fully online program supports professionals in ocean science, fisheries, and policy with applied tools to make informed, data-driven decisions. Please note that this program is eligible for the StrongerBC Future Skills Grant. BC residents aged 19 and older may qualify for up to $3,500 toward tuition, which entirely cover the micro-credential cost.
Course 1: Introduction to Aquatic Data Sciences Overview: Develop skills in accessing, interpreting, and visualizing data from global aquatic databases. Gain literacy in data structures critical to supporting equitable and sustainable Blue Economy practices. Dates: January 5 – March 18, 2026Live lectures: January 7, 14, 21, 28 – February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 4 (Wednesdays) at 4:30 PM (PST) – Sessions are recorded so students can watch them later and send their questions. Instructors: Dr. Deng Palomares and Dr. Gabriel Reygondeau
Course 2: Modelling for Marine Ecosystem-Based Management Overview: Learn to apply the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modelling framework to evaluate trade-offs in marine planning, assess sustainability, and support ecosystem-based management. Dates: March 30 – May 20, 2026Live lectures on April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 13 (Wednesdays) at 5 PM (PST) – Sessions are recorded so students can watch them later and send their questions. Instructor: Prof. Villy Christensen
Assessment Format Students are invited to develop a final project that articulates an aspect they have learnt in the course to their own professional interests.Grading: 25% participation, 75% projectMicro-credential issued upon successful completion of the two courses
Tuition and Financial Support $1,620 CAD per course | $3,240 CAD for the full programEligible for the StrongerBC Future Skills Grant: BC residents aged 19 and older may qualify for up to $3,500 toward tuition for eligible short-term training.
Details: Vicente Regis Program Specialist, Extracurricular and Extended Learning Faculty of Science | Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries v.regis@oceans.ubc.ca
