News & Events

Cross-Disciplinary Internship (CDI) Program

Deadline January 24, 2025

Event Details

Opportunities

Date: January 24, 2025

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

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Poster for the CDI (cross-disciplinary internship) program with an image of two scientists looking at a spherical device.

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.

Application Deadline

Extended to Friday, January 24, 2025 at 4pm EST.

Internship Amount

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

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 24, 2025. 

Notice of Decision: Early February 2025 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.

Please see the CDI homepage for application guidelines and forms.