Undergraduate Research Opportunities | Chemistry
Research Opportunities
The Department of Chemistry offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to gain hands-on laboratory experience. Whether you are interested in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, environmental, materials, or biological chemistry research, working alongside faculty members and graduate students provides a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scientific challenges.
Undergraduate research helps students build confidence, strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and explore potential career paths in academia, industry, healthcare, government, and beyond. It is also an excellent way to develop meaningful mentorship connections and become part of a vibrant scientific community.
CHEM*4900/4910: Research Project in Chemistry
CHEM*4900 and CHEM*4910 provide senior undergraduate students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Through a combination of laboratory research, data analysis, and scientific communication, students gain firsthand experience in the research process while making meaningful contributions to ongoing investigations in the Department of Chemistry.
See the Course Calendar to learn more→
Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities
Students can gain paid summer research experience through programs such as the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) and Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA). There are also opportunities for Indigenous and international students.
Learn more about undergraduate summer research opportunities→
Co-op
Opportunities for co-op positions in the Department of Chemistry are posted as they come available at Experience Guelph - check regularly.
Learn more at Experience Guelph→
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities are available to support in research-related activities. Contact a faculty member to see if they are currently accepting volunteers.
Find a list of Faculty Members on Our People page→
Visiting International Research Students
The Department of Chemistry welcomes Visiting International Research Students (VIRS) from partner institutions around the world, providing opportunities to participate in research and experiential learning under the supervision of our faculty members. Through these placements, students gain valuable research experience, develop international connections, and contribute to ongoing projects within our vibrant research community.
MITACS
Mitacs Globalink Research Internships are available for talented undergraduate students from around the world to participate in full-time research projects under the supervision of faculty members.
Hear from Undergraduate Researchers
I found that the URA position I did for the summer was very valuable and I am thankful to have had the opportunity. I learned so much stuff in the lab that wasn’t covered in previous courses and helped me further develop my lab skills. It also gave me valuable experience in research, and I think I will try to pursue grad school after I graduate!
As a URA in Rui Huang’s lab, I learned how protein engineering can be used to investigate biologically important targets such as p97. I also developed skills in experimental screening and biochemical characterization while strengthening my ability to think critically about research questions and experimental design. This experience has reinforced my interest in research and has helped shape my long-term goal of pursuing further studies in the field.
This is for me a great opportunity to discover the world of research while improving my English skills. I am working in a lab and experiencing a real immersion in the work (conferences, research project, supervising events for students), but also in the life of a PhD or MSc (celebrating birthdays together, going to cinema) with this great team. So far, I have learned to run NMR and gel electrophoresis, conduct organic reactions including column chromatography and know how to follow proper lab protocols. This experience is rewarding for my personal life but also for my future job as I want to work in R&D.