Careers, Research & Summer Jobs
Explore opportunities in sustainability, environment, agriculture, and beyond
McGill Research Opportunities
Get hands-on research experience as an undergraduate with these funded programs
🔬
NSERC USRA
Undergraduate Student Research Awards provide $7,500+ for 16 weeks of summer research with a faculty supervisor. Over 3,000 awards available nationally.
🎓
Science SURA
McGill’s Science Undergraduate Research Award funds students to work alongside professors during the summer in labs across the Faculty of Science.
🌍
Arts Internships
Faculty of Arts internships in climate change, environmental sustainability, and conservation with organizations like Climate Reality Project.
💼
Science Internship Program
Register internships through the Science Field Studies & Internship Office. Available to B.A. & Sc. students after completing 27 credits.
🌱
McGill CAPS
Career Planning Service resources for environment and conservation careers, including job boards, career profiles, and employer listings.
📋
Experiential Learning
McGill’s central hub for finding research experiences across all faculties, including Agriculture & Environmental Sciences and Medicine.
Government & Public Sector
Federal and provincial agencies with opportunities in environment, agriculture, and sustainability
Environment & Sustainability
Environmental organizations, career resources, and industry directories
♻️ Consulting & Industry
Agriculture & Food Systems
Organizations focused on sustainable agriculture, food security, and agribusiness
🌾 Farming & Production
Geography & Science Associations
Professional societies for networking, conferences, and career development
Tips for Getting Started
📧 Reaching Out to Professors
Read about their research on their websites and scan recent publications. Contact professors during office hours or via email (but don’t send generic emails to many professors at once). Be specific about why you’re interested in their work.
⏰ Application Timing
NSERC USRA deadlines are typically in late winter (February-March) for summer positions. Start reaching out to potential supervisors in the fall to discuss projects. Many government jobs post in January-February for summer positions.
🌐 International Students
If you’re an international student, check with International Student Services (ISS) about work permit requirements. Some programs like Science Internships require a Co-op Work Permit (CWP) for full-time work during the academic year.
💡 Funding Opportunities
Many employers can receive wage subsidies through ECO Canada programs. If you find an opportunity that isn’t formally funded, let potential employers know about ECO Canada’s Environmental Employability Pathways Program which offers up to $12,000 in wage funding.
Have Questions?
Current SSS students can share their experiences finding research and jobs. Ask us anything!