Co-op employers

Exceptional students, personalized quality service, and satisfied employers – this is Science Co-op at the University of Manitoba.

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Why Science Co-op

Hiring from UM Science Co-op connects you with high-caliber talent and the opportunity to play a role in shaping the development of the next generation of leaders in the digital economy, research, and science.

  • Lab team

  • Located in the heart of Canada, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Science brings together a community of students, researchers, and faculty dedicated to discovery and innovation, in the field, in the lab, and in the classroom. With more than 50 degree programs and more than 5500 students, our faculty is a hub of unique voices in learning and discovery; all contributing to important conversations.

    Our students learn in an environment with a century-long tradition of expanding boundaries. From breakthroughs in wireless communications to the prevention of Rh diseases, HIV/AIDS, and the invention of Canola.

    Faculty members who guide our students leverage their expertise for practical problem-solving such as product development, customer behavior modeling, neurocomputing, data security, bioinformatics, and climate change adaptations.

Hiring process

There are four steps to the hiring process for Science Co-op:

  1. Posting your job
  2. Reviewing applications
  3. Interviewing
  4. Making an offer or ranking

To get started, please contact the Co-op office or the appropriate Co-op coordinator to get started.

Co-op schedule

Co-op students alternate their academic terms with paid work term placements. Each work term is completed within a 4-month period. Work terms will add a minimum of one year of career-related experience to your academic program, extending your program from 4 years to 5 years. Students should plan their program over a two-year period, to ensure they obtain all required academic and co-op requirements.

Computer Science

Academic Schedule

FALL

(Sept – Dec)

WINTER

(Jan – April)

SUMMER

(May – Aug)
Year 3 Study term – 3A Work term 1 Study term – 3B
Year 4 Work term 2 Study term – 4A Work term 3
Year 5 Final study term – 4B    

The above table represents the schedule for Computer Science students who enter co-op in September of their third year and participate in their first work term in January. This is referred to as a “regular stream”.

There are a variety of reasons why co-op students may not follow this schedule. Here are three situations that might find students “out-of-stream”:

  • Students seeking their second degree require fewer credit hours than first-degree students. These students may be allowed to join co-op at different times.
  • Students seeking a joint Honours degree can normally only participate in summer work terms. Intake for these students occurs in December with an anticipated first work term in the summer between the second and third year.

It is possible some students who enter co-op in September will not receive job offers for the winter work term (January to April). If these students have followed all co-op procedures and guidelines, job placement may be deferred to the summer recruitment period, and may require an eight-month work term (May to December).

Life and Physical Sciences and Computational Sciences

There are two basic schedules Co-op students in Computational, Life and Physical Sciences can choose for alternating their academic and work terms.

Winter Start

Academic Schedule

FALL

(Sept – Dec)

WINTER

(Jan – April)

SUMMER

(May – Aug)
Year 3 Academic term Work term 1 Work term 2
Year 4 Academic term Academic term Work term 3
Year 5 Final academic term Graduate  

Summer Start

Academic Schedule

FALL

(Sept – Dec)

WINTER

(Jan – April)

SUMMER

(May – Aug)
Year 3 Academic term Academic term Work term 1
Year 4 Work term 2 Academic term Work term 3
Year 5 Final academic term Graduate  

NOTE: Schedule B is strongly recommended for international students to allow time for application and obtainment of co-op work permit required for every international student who is successfully admitted to science co-op to apply for co-op positions. See more details.

Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your coordinator.

Psychology

This is the basic schedule for Psychology Co-op students for alternating their academic and work terms.

Summer Start

Academic Schedule

FALL

(Sept – Dec)

WINTER

(Jan – April)

SUMMER

(May – Aug)
Year 3 Academic term Academic term Work term 1
Year 4 Work term 2 Academic term Work term 3
Year 5 Final academic term Graduate  

Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your coordinator.

Programs and skills

Salaries and funding

  • Salaries are at the discretion of the employer but should be competitive.

    Life and Physical Sciences, and Computational Sciences (Data Science, Mathematics, and Statistics): The hourly wage range for students is from the provincial minimum to $24.00, with an average wage of $15.00 per hour.

    Computer Science: The hourly in-town wage range for students is $18.50 to $29.00.

    You can also explore potential funding or wage subsidy programs.

  • funding innovation

International employers

Science Co-op connects employers from around the world with our top achievers. They bring unique knowledge, resourcefulness, and ambition. Add the best and brightest of today’s young scientists to your organization.

Resources

Associations:

Employer Incentive Programs:

Other:

Loans, Financial Aid, and Awards:

Contact us

Science Co-op offices
Engineering Information and Technology Complex (EITC)
EITC E2-482, 483, 484 and 499
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 5V6 Canada

Science.Co-op@umanitoba.ca
204-474-7863
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.