The University of Wollongong has launched a research internship program aimed at connecting businesses with PhD researchers to support innovation and address industry challenges.
According to a university media release, the initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while contributing to Australia’s research translation pipeline.
It also responds to demand from businesses for job-ready researchers and closer engagement with universities, while providing PhD candidates with opportunities to apply their research in real-world settings.
UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Alan Rowan said the program facilitates direct collaboration between researchers and industry. “This initiative connects PhD researchers directly with industry to co-create practical solutions and deliver real-world impact. These collaborations give organisations access to world-class expertise while helping develop highly skilled graduates ready to contribute,” Professor Rowan said.
The program builds on a pilot supported by the Australian Government’s Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship program, which placed more than 30 PhD candidates with over 20 organisations.
According to the university, the expanded offering is open to a broad range of disciplines, including engineering, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, health and environmental science.
From an industry perspective, the internships are intended to provide access to research expertise and new approaches to product development and commercialisation. Heath Cooper, founder of Sample Assist, said the company had seen immediate benefits from hosting a PhD researcher.
“As a medical technology company, digital innovation in health is at the heart of what we do. Hosting a UOW PhD candidate gave us the opportunity to work with the best and brightest minds to solve some of the health industry’s biggest problems,” Cooper said.
For participating students, the program offers experience working outside academia and exposure to potential career pathways. Adile Kaban, who completed an internship with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, said the experience had broadened her career outlook.
“This internship has been the bridge I needed to connect my research with industry. I now feel more confident pursuing career opportunities that were previously out of reach,” Kaban said.
UOW said businesses can register interest through its Research Partnerships and Innovation team, while PhD candidates can submit an expression of interest to participate in the program.
