Industry-Engaged HDR Program
The ³ÉÈË´óƬ aspires to prepare its graduate researchers for diverse roles and opportunities across all sectors and build a community of future makers.
Industry engagement as part of your higher degree by research program provides unique opportunities and a strong complement to your academic studies and give you a head start in future employment opportunities.
As an industry engaged HDR student at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ you will collaborate with industry leaders to design innovative research projects that address real-world problems. You will connect with an experienced industry mentor across the duration of your degree and have the opportunity to develop your research skills and sector business knowledge through a research internship. Moreover, you will undertake career-specific training and professional development through the Adelaide Graduate Research School’s Career and Research Skills Training program.
The University has identified a range of prospects, which you can find listed below. We also welcome you to work with your supervisors to identify your own industry-engagement opportunities.
Please contact hdrindustryenq@adelaide.edu.au for advice and assistance.
Key aspects of an Industry-engaged PhD
Industry-engaged HDR projects allow postgraduate researchers at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ to collaborate with a partner organisation on research and development throughout the duration of their candidature, with the option of undertaking a research internship during the degree. Projects will address an industry problem while complying with the University’s usual requirements for a PhD program. The combination of sector-relevant research and placement training provides an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with real world problems.
For more information see our FAQs for students below.
Industry-engaged higher degrees by research programs are open to PhD applicants from all areas who are eligible for onshore study in Australia. Some conditions may apply, however, and you are encouraged to view the individual projects advertised and discuss your interest with the Adelaide Graduate Research School. Applicants must also:
- Meet the ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s higher degree by research admissions criteria.
- Meet the ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s English Language Requirements at the time of application.
- Not have commenced a PhD program at the time of application.
The ³ÉÈË´óƬ, in conjunction with an industry partner, offers successful candidates a 3.5 year FTE scholarship (equivalent to the RTPS rate or higher). Additionally, for some projects our partners provide a supplementary scholarship and/or additional funding for travel or research. Please see the advertised projects for more detail.
Alongside their University team, industry-engaged PhD students will be connected with an experienced industry supervisor, who will provide specialist guidance on the project across the duration of candidature.
³ÉÈË´óƬ postgraduate students benefit from a specially tailored program of professional development activities directed by the Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST) Director of the Adelaide Graduate Research School. Selected CaRST courses and activities may include topics in intellectual property, management/leadership, collaboration, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation and participation in the University’s 3MT competition. Additionally, all students embarking on a Research Internship receive preparatory training for their placement. For more information, please visit: Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST).
Additional activities may include networking events, attendance at industry meetings, professional association meetings, seminars and conferences.
- Check your eligibility
- Identify an Industry PhD project of interest from the available opportunities advertised below. Each project page contains specific application instructions.
The Adelaide Graduate Research School’s Industry Engagement and Internships Officer is available for advice on the application process: hdrindustryenq@adelaide.edu.au.
Current opportunities
The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.
Apply today for this exciting opportunity at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ, in collaboration with the Australian Wine Research Institute and Treasury Wine Estates.
The Codan Founders' Scholarship program supports exceptional PhD candidates to undertake applied research programs in the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ. The University welcomes applications for an open opportunity under this program, for an industry PhD with Minelab, exploring the use of semi-autonomous robots in metal detection technologies.
Fivecast - Detecting and understanding influence in online social networks
This industry PhD project with Fivecast will tackle the challenge of understanding how influence spreads within online social networks. Specifically, it will focus on situations where the creation and engagement with inflammatory content might transition from being a fringe interest—relatively harmless—to becoming dangerous as the network evolves, giving the narrative a larger, more susceptible audience.
Currently, upscaling of CO2 injection into a reservoir saturated by water from core scale up to the numerical cell or a reservoir is a challenge. This innovative PhD project will address this challenge by exploring novel approaches to modelling CO2 injectivity. The successful candidate will work with researchers at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ and Shell Global Solutions to develop an analytical tool that predicts the nature of CO2 propagation in heterogeneous media while accounting for diverse factors that influence flow dynamics.
Industry PhD programs
National Industry PhD Program
The Australian Government's National Industry PhD Program provides students with the knowledge and skills to translate their research into real-world outcomes.
Defence Trailblazer Industry Research Program
The Defence Trailblazer program offers HDR students the opportunity to undertake world-leading research, at the interface of academia and the defence industry.
Codan Founders' Scholarships
The Codan Founders’ Scholarship program was established in 2023 to support exceptional PhD candidates in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering. Honouring the legacy of three founders – ³ÉÈË´óƬ graduates Ian Wall, Alastair Wood and Jim Bettison – this initiative will connect students with the company’s scientists and engineers to collaborate on a project with a real-world application. Â
The University is pleased to announce the first scholarship under this program, for an industry PhD with Minelab. Please visit the , or contact HDR Industry Enquiries for more information.
See the Research Internships page for information about standalone internship placements during candidature.
Partner with us
Make history with world-class researchers
Higher degree by research students produce the majority of the ³ÉÈË´óƬ's world-leading research. The Adelaide Graduate Research School aspires to connect these future-makers with industry, to collaborate on sector-specific projects, and solve real-world problems. Partner with us today, and help develop the next generation of industry leaders.
Additional information
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FAQs for students
What academic background should I have?
Industry-engaged PhD programs are open to all students with relevant disciplinary qualifications and experience. The ³ÉÈË´óƬ also welcomes expressions of interest from experienced industry professionals who wish to undertake a higher degree by research. To discuss your eligibility for a particular project please contact the Adelaide Graduate Research School’s Industry team: hdrindustryenq@adelaide.edu.au.
How will the degree be assessed?
An industry-engaged PhD will be assessed through the regular schedule of higher degree by research milestones. If a Research Internship is established as a component of the program the student will be required to complete a minimum three-month/60 day FTE placement with the industry partner.
I am an international student, can I participate in an industry-focused PhD program?
Yes, however, you should be aware that some industry partners may have restrictions on international student participation.
What industry exposure will I gain through my PhD experience?
As an industry-engaged HDR student you will be partnered with an industry supervisor, who will offer guidance and specialist training during the candidature. In addition, you will be given the opportunity to undertake a Research Internship of three-months duration (60 working days) with the partner organisation. Completion of an eligible Research Internship will be reflected on your academic transcript as follows: <YYYY Completed Research Internship >
Can I do my Research Internship on a part time basis, for example, 1-2 days per week?
A placement may be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis provided that you maintain your full-time enrolment status and complete the agreed number of placement days.
Please see the Research Internships page for more information about eligible projects.
What kinds of organisations are eligible to participate in an industry PhD program?
Eligible organisations must be research end-users according to the Australian Government’s definition. This generally includes most organisations within industry, government, NGOs, or community organisations, although it excludes some organisations such as research institutes or other higher education providers and their subsidiaries. Other universities and educational institutions are not considered to be research end-users. If you are unsure if an organisation is eligible, please contact the Adelaide Graduate Research School for more information.
Prior to a Research Internship, an agreement regarding intellectual property (IP) covering the placement activities must be agreed to and verified by all parties. Typically, students will assign any project and placement IP to the industry partner, while any background research IP will be retained by the student/University.
Will I be financially compensated for the additional length of time expected for program completion due to a Research Internship?
The University will fund students undertaking an eligible Research Internship for an extra three months at the standard RTPS rate (pro rata). This provides students with the flexibility to complete an industry project beyond the standard PhD completion timeframe of 3.5 years.
Please note: any supplementary scholarship included in your award will not continue past the standard completion timeframe.
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Useful links
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Further enquiries
For any other enquiries about industry-engagement opportunities for HDR students please contact:
HDR Industry Enquiries
Email: hdrindustryenq@adelaide.edu.au
Tel: +61 8 8313 0260