An opportunity to be involved
Collaborate with our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates today.
Our research brings together the brightest minds to help address the issues of today and tomorrow. Ranked in the top 10 Australian universities based on research income, we are a recognised leader in industry-driven collaborative research.
By connecting with our HDR candidates, as a research end-user you can:
Catalyse innovation and commercialisation through knowledge transfer with our research specialists.
Assist candidates in developing translational research skills.
Establish or strengthen your research-based networks.
Provide the University with a stronger understanding of industry requirements, priorities, and culture.
"From the perspective of the Department, Maria’s contribution brought fresh perspectives and evidence-based insights to a priority area within the Healthy Tasmania Strategic Plan. Her work supported the Department’s commitment to inclusivity and equity in public health, particularly for marginalised populations.
"The internship also fostered valuable professional development for Maria, equipping her with skills in stakeholder engagement, policy translation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Importantly, it strengthened the bridge between academia and public health practice – an outcome that aligns with the TasPHRAC objective of supporting bi-directional co-location and knowledge exchange.
"We are grateful for Maria’s thoughtful engagement and the insights she brought to our team. Her work has laid a foundation for future collaboration and has exemplified the benefits of researcher internships in bridging academia and public health practice."
– Kate Garvey, Manager at Statewide Mental Health Services - Research Internship of UTAS PhD Candidate Maria
Research Internships
Research internships are educational opportunities related to a candidate’s area of research. By embedding a candidate within an industry or community setting we enable them to gain invaluable practical experience in applying their research skillset while working on an industry question or innovation. We therefore welcome industry, business, and/or community partners, external to academia, to become involved as a research end-user within a research internship.
An internship generally lasts for a minimum of 3 months, consisting of at least 60 full-time equivalent days of engagement in Research & Development (R&D) activities by the candidate, under the supervision of a suitably qualified and responsible person within that industry or community setting.
As our internships are implemented for educational purposes only, candidates cannot function as an employee while they are participating in a research internship program unless also under a formal employment agreement.
The University will normally maintain public liability, personal accident, medical malpractice (as relevant), and travel (as relevant) insurance policies for the candidate undertaking the research internship during the term of the internship period.
The Internship Agreement will outline the roles and responsibilities of all parties, and will cover intellectual property, publication, confidentiality, privacy, health, and safety.
For further information on research internships please refer to our HDR Internship Guidelines(PDF 253.3 KB), specifically made for you as our research end-user.
For further information on setting an internship please contact us - we can assist with connecting you to one of our talented candidates and their Primary Supervisor.
Key considerations for all research internships
HDR candidates will normally continue to progress through their candidature.
If in receipt of a scholarship, HDR candidates will normally continue to receive their scholarship throughout the research internship period.
HDR candidates can commence their internship at any point during their candidature, with a fully endorsed Internship Agreement. It is preferred that the Agreement be finalised prior to the first 18 months of candidature. The research internship period must be completed before completion of the candidate's degree.
Intellectual property will be addressed in the Internship Agreement and is dependent upon the Internship.
Industry PhD Programs
Industry PhD Programs entail HDR projects being co-developed between the University, the candidate, and the research end-user. By establishing an ongoing relationship across the tenure of candidature, innovation can be catalysed, leading to greater research and commercial impact for all parties.
Each of these programs should include a research internship component, which may require a separate Internship Agreement in addition to the underlying Collaborative Agreement of the program.
The CSIRO’s Industry PhD (iPhD) program connects universities, industry partners, and the CSIRO to co-develop an industry-focused, impact-driven PhD project.
If you have a project in mind, please contact the CSIRO Industry PhD Team first, to determine project eligibility and to commence the expression of interest process. If eligible, please contact us and we can assist you in connecting with a primary supervisor and our Research Funding team, to facilitate the expression of interest process with the CSIRO.
Further information
Further information on the program, including program benefits, eligibility requirements, and resources is available at CSIRO Industry PhD Program.
The National Industry PhD Program is a government-led initiative, administered by CampusPlus, which supports PhD candidates to undertake industry-focused research projects, and to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better translate university research into commercialisation outcomes.
The program consists of two streams:
- Industry Linked PhD stream: This stream is for outstanding PhD candidates to undertake research projects co-designed by the participating university and industry partner, with opportunities to be embedded in an industry setting and participate in a 12-week training program.
- Industry Researcher PhD stream: This stream is for highly capable industry professionals who are supported by their employers to undertake PhD projects in partnership with a university while retaining industry employment and salary benefits.
If you have a project in mind, please contact us and we can assist you in connecting with a Primary Supervisor and our Research Funding team, to initiate the application process within the Program.
Further information
Further information on this program, including program benefits, eligibility requirements, and resources, is available at Government National Industry PhD Program and CampusPlus National Industry PhD Program.