Biochemistry Co-op gives you a head start exploring career options with the opportunity to work in various industries within the field of structural and molecular biology. Many of our placements will put you at the cutting edge of science and will give you an opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in school. Your work experience will take the form of four consecutive four-month work placements in a variety of different research areas including biomedical research, pharmaceutical development and clinical healthcare studies. Co-op placements begin after your 3rd academic year and take place in organizations throughout Canada or internationally. Completion of all four work terms is required in order to receive a Co-op designation on your transcript.
Application Deadlines
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 3 | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
Application requirements
If you wish to apply to the Biochemistry Co-op, you must be a third-year student enrolled in the Biochemistry Major, Combined or Honours programs at UBC.
- Have a minimum cumulative average of B- (68%)
- Be a full-time UBC (Vancouver) student in good academic standing in mathematics, English and the sciences
- Have at least 30 credits remaining of your graduation requirement at the time of application
- Currently enrolled in BIOC 301
- Good communication skills, and a responsible, mature attitude
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork and time management
- Demonstrated interest in your chosen field
- Be flexible and willing to accept a work placement outside the Lower Mainland
Work terms schedules
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 + Apply for Co-op | Study Term 6 + Co-op Workshops | Work Term 1 |
| 4 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 | Work Term 4 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
This highly recommended schedule enables students to complete their program within the shortest time frame. Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your coordinator.
Sample Jobs and Companies
BC Cancer Research Centre
Research Assistant Using a mixture of established protocols and novel assays, the prospective student will be an integral part of the scientific team attempting to understand the biological function of CLK2 and eIF4A3 in splicing and/or validation of the splice signature. Role of the student: The student will receive initial supervision but is then is able to propose the direction of the project depending the initial progress and results. They will gain experience in screening, biochemical and cell-based assays such as genetic engineering, protein expression & purification, cell culture and imaging.
Sanofi Pasteur
Analytical R&D Co-op, Biochemistry Platform ARD Biochemistry Platform Department is supporting both GMP and non-GMP testing of the viral, bacterial, and recombinant protein vaccines from preclinical, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III through to registration. Product testing (drug substances, drug products, toxicology lots, demo lots, GMP lots, adjuvants) spanning Release, Characterization, In-Process Control, In-Process Monitoring, Process Development Support Testing, Investigational and Stability Testing Activities will include: • Biochemical assays (e.g. cIEF) • Biophysical assays (e.g. spectroscopy, particle sizing, calorimetry) • Maintain proper records in laboratory notebooks; prepare required reports and procedures for department databases and other documentation.