Co-op is the integration of academic studies with relevant and paid work experience. What are the benefits of Co-op?

• Learn the skills needed to find and succeed at a job
• Gain relevant industry work experience
• Expand network of industry professionals
• Explore areas of interest
• Build life-long friendships
• Apply classroom knowledge to real life projects
• Increase job prospects after graduation
• Earn money

Science Co-op regularly profiles students on its Co-op Chronicles. Check here to view the bios of co-op students: https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/community/chronicles/madison-levagood. Find more bios and podcasts profiling students and employers on the Science Co-op Community page here: https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/community. 

PHAS Dept. Undergrad and Communications Coordinators do not administer or oversee Co-op programs, including applications and work placements. Please visit the Faculty of Science Co-op program website for information about the Co-op program in Physics and Astronomy, Biophysics, and Engineering Physics.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is pleased to offer summer research opportunities for outstanding undergraduate students through the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program. Through these awards, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) subsidizes eligible professors to hire students to work on their research projects. The program creates interesting research-related jobs and gives students the opportunity to gain valuable research experience in an academic setting.

For more information about the NSERC USRA including departmental application procedures, click here.

Students are also encouraged to contact researchers whose research is in their area of interest directly for summer research opportunities. Sometimes researchers hire summer students beyond the USRA program. For a list of current researchers, click here.

Physics and Astronomy Job Links

• Mcdonald Insitute - Undergraduate opportunities and careers in Astroparticle physics
• Click here to see various different employment possibilities after BSc Physics degree.
• Physics.org Careers from Physics is an interactive introduction to career possibilities stemming from a physics degree.
• Physics Jobs is the definitive online resource for job announcements, career enhancing courses or calls for proposals accessed globally by the physics and engineering community. {self description -- ed}
• The American Institute of Physics Career Service Center is the leading career network for physics, engineering and related physical sciences. It connects industry, academic and government employers with the most qualified, career-minded professionals.
• Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) Career Page
• Job Future (Services Canada) Physics Pages
• American Physical Society (APS)
• Physics Central (APS)
• PhyLink - A science news site with Physics company listings
• Physics Today journal -- read "real-world" experience of physicists in a variety of fields (1948-present also available through UBC Library).

Every year, the department organizes a career night for students to see what they can do with their Bachelor of Science degree in physics & astronomy fields across Business, Education, Industry and Research. 

This event is open to all science undergraduates, high school students and their families. 

Join us for our 2026 Career Night, happening on Wednesday, November 19th in HENN 202. See more details on our Events page.

Here are some resources for resume building and interview preparation for Co-op, job and research opportunities:

• Help with interviews
• Help with resumes and cover letters
• Help with writing a letter of intent

Interested in Graduate School? See here for helpful resources.

See below for free PHYS, ASTR and ASTROPHYS resources:

• See UBC Library free Physics resources for UBC students
• See UBC Library free ASTR/ASTROPHYS resources for UBC students
• See APS Physics resources for undergraduates
• See APS Physics - publications that serve the international physics community with peer-reviewed research journals, news and commentary about the latest research published in the Physical Review journals, news about and for members, information about physics and its place in the world, and blogs covering science policy, as well as fun and educational science news.

Wanting to get experience in science communication and instruction? We have many opportunities available for students who wish to hone their science communication and education skills through our year-round PHAS Outreach Programs: 

• For Youth: Youth outreach instruction with Embers, Guides, or Scouts; Phenomenal Physics Summer Camps, Faraday Show
• For Teens: Physics Circle, Physics Olympics, Physics Olympiad, Science Slams!
• For Adults: How the Universe Works, Saturday morning lectures

Volunteer experience brings opportunities to meet other researchers, students and professionals in the field. It's a great way to expand your networks and practice your skills for your own professional development.

Contact outreach@phas.ubc.ca to find out more!