This density plot show that most science co-op jobs are posted on day 14 of each term.
That said, Victoria employers tend to post their co-op jobs later in the term. These will be a mix of 4 and 8 month positions.
In addition, many labs on campus don’t post jobs on the co-op portal as they expect that interested students will take initiative to reach to them individually. I recommend writing an email to the faculty members who are doing research that is interesting to you.
Finding a researcher
Not every researcher will post a job on the co-op portal, but many will have funding to hire students for the summer. Here are some links that list different researchers in the various departments who hire students:
Research Centers
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC)
- Centre for Forest Biology (FORB)
- UVic-Genome BC Proteomics Centre (will post jobs on the co-op portal later in the term)
Making the connection
You should send a brief note where you ask to set up an informational interview with a researcher or a senior lab member to discuss summer opportunities in the lab.
In this email, say what it is about the projects that this lab is working on that are compelling you to reach out. Let them know your GPA and whether you are NSERC-USRA eligible. Don’t attach a resume or transcript yet, but be prepared to provide this information at the meeting.
You may need to be persistent and send the message twice – I would recommend waiting a week before reaching out a second time.
Last but not least – another blog post that you might find helpful.