Cross-Disciplinary Internship Program

The Cross-Disciplinary Internship (CDI) program provides a salary reimbursement for full- or part-time students registered in non-physics majors to participate in astroparticle physics research. Student applicants can be enrolled in any post-secondary level; college diploma, undergraduate, or graduate studies. This program links students with leading astroparticle physics researchers in Canada for opportunities to expand research collaborations, knowledge, and research-based skills. This year, we are also broadening the definition of “supervisor” to include opportunities for postdoctoral researchers to apply as supervisors to host a cross-disciplinary intern.

Inquiries and Application Guidance: Prior to submitting your application, potential applicants and their supervisors must contact Dr. Alexandra Pedersen at admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca prior to submitting an application to discuss the project. Please use “CDI Program – [LAST NAME]” as the subject line.

 

Could your skills collide with astroparticle physics for amazing results?

 

Previous participants in the Cross-Disciplinary Internship program have come from a wide variety of research fields, including chemical engineering, education, neuroscience, Microbiology and Oceanography, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The research projects provide a unique opportunity for students and faculty to explore a variety of possibilities in and around the science.

Knowledge mobilization is a key aspect of the program, and students are given free reign over the form thier knowledge mobilization project takes. Recent CDI participant, Danika Watson created a zine (a simple comic book) to illustrate her engagement as a geographer working on the nEXO neutrino experiment. Artist and cultural educator,

Elvira Hufschmid, worked with professor Renée Hložek at UofT/Dunlap and produced a participatory virtual event on art and metaphor. An illustrator was invited to capture the content graphically (below).

 
An artist's summary drawing from Elvira Hufschmid's Art & Science ‘Jam Session’ event features insights from the event in an artistic way. Written quotes on the drawing include

 

Application Deadline

Friday January 19, 2024 at 4pm EST

Extended to Friday, January 26, 2024 at 4pm EST

Internship Amount

$12,000 CAN + $500 CAN from supervisor towards student opportunities

 

“I would like to inform future cross-disciplinary interns that it may seem daunting initially to transition from your expertise and dive into a new discipline, but it’s really worth taking the risk and immerse yourself in new research as it will immensely help you in this inter- and the cross-disciplinary era of research.”

— Abisha Patel (2021 Cross-Disciplinary Intern, Undergraduate student in Neuroscience, University of Alberta)

 

Eligibility: Prospective students must have the following qualifications to apply: 

  • Enrolled in a post-secondary program outside of physics (as in college diplomas, undergraduate or graduate degrees); 
  • Eligible to work in Canada; 
  • A strong record of academic achievement; 
  • Enthusiasm for discovery-based research and intellectual curiosity; 
  • Returning to studies after the internship is complete;
  • An open mind to cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing and learning about astroparticle physics. 

Prospective faculty or postdoctoral supervisors must be:

  • Affiliated with the McDonald Institute or have astroparticle physics research based in Canada;
  • Be available for hands-on, discovery-based learning over the course of the program;
  • Eligible to hold an institutional account for grants or awards (if you are a postdoctoral fellow, please contact admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca for assistance in navigating this process as part of your application);
  • Able to provide office space, lab materials, and a minimum of $500 CAN towards student opportunities (if you are a postdoctoral fellow, please contact admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca regarding this contribution).

Application Process: Students must meet (in-person or virtual) with an astroparticle physics faculty member or postdoctoral fellow (the “supervisor”) at the institution of choice who is willing to be their CDI supervisor. Together, the student and supervisor are required to co-develop a research proposal for submission. Students are required to attach an unofficial transcript to the application and submit the application form as a single PDF document by the deadline.   

Application Submission: Please send a single PDF submission to admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca with “CDI Program – [SUPERVISOR LAST NAME]” as the subject line no later than 4pm EST Friday January 19, January 26, 2024. 

Notice of Decision: Early February 2024 via email for competition applications.

The Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute is committed to creating space for more equitable, diverse, and inclusive research and research training environments. If you require documents in alternate formats, please contact us, and we will do our best to meet your needs.

 

Who are potential CDI supervisors?

Supervisors and students apply for CDI together, and so interested students are encouraged to contact astroparticle physics faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research scientists who are eligible to be supervisors.

See a snapshot of the faculty in our network and the McDonald Institute faculty as a starting point. Anyone working in astroparticle physics at the postdoctoral level and above at any of our partner institutes is also eligible.

Previous CDI Recipients and Projects

The McDonald Institute’s Cross-Disciplinary Internship (CDI) program offers students and young researchers unique opportunities to connect their unique and diverse research to astroparticle physics. Find out what you can expect as a CDI recipient!

Get notified!

If you wish to be notified for the next Cross-Disciplinary Internship call for applications, fill out the form below.