Why should I pursue a research degree with industry?
Ask better questions.
Refine your ideas.
Find the best solution for society.
UNSW Engineers are self-starters by nature and reputation, driving new paradigms in areas such as energy resources, medicine and AI. With the adoption of powerful learning tools such as short courses and generative AI study-buddies, research skills have never been so valuable.
That's why the AGSE have introduced a new mode of experiential learning to close the gap between research and industry, to open new doors to impact. People who wish to advance their skills through our PhD or Masters will equip themselves with the discipline and capacity to collaborate with industry and build original ideas from scratch.
Open your critical eye to the world
Embarking on a research degree is fundamentally different to any other degree. As an engineering researcher, you are on a single-minded mission to shift the boundaries of science and technology in society. Simultaneously, this gives you a platform to deep-dive into your own natural curiosity by holding a magnifying glass up to the world around you. Every hypothesis starts with a question: what are you curious about?
- What problems do you see?
- Who is responsible for solving this problem?
- How can we improve as a society?
- Where are our gaps in knowledge?
An industry-linked program is a little different. Our Industry PhD and Master of Industrial Research programs have been purpose-built for the mission-led learner, to streamline their journey from research to impact. This allows students to work at the cross-section of theoretical inquiry and commercial design, bringing a fresh perspective to sector-specific goals and barriers. As the eyes of industry, your mission is simple: to shine a light on society's biggest blindspots, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation.
To the mission-led learner
Life is research!
Beyond the library or laboratory, research is an active force in every major life decision. Whether it be choosing a degree, changing home-loans, conducting a risk assessment for a new product, finding cost-efficiencies in a supply chain, or raising a child; we are constantly learning to sharpen our judgement.
By undertaking a research degree at the AGSE, you'll cultivate the ability to reflect, reason and reform your own thinking. This is a balancing act between optimism and skepticism, building on existing knowledge whilst embracing lateral ideas with an open mind. In an environment of limited time and competing ideas, you'll also learn to trust your instincts and fight for your ideas, even when your logic is being challenged.
Questioning. Experimentation. Analysis. Translation. Impact. These are not the qualities of a researcher; they are the rituals of a visionary. Timeless and transferable principles which help us transcend the present day. As you investigate the mechanics of everyday life, you may just discern a crack in the universe - and disrupt a multi-billion dollar industry in the process.
"The original discovery of the crack closure phenomenon was made when I was a graduate student at UNSW. I wasn't aware [at the time] that I was going to contradict many of the existing teachings in "
- (1983), UNSW PhD Graduate and distinguished researcher for NASA satellite design
Research degrees aim for original and impactful ideas. Many dedicate their lives to this pursuit, and the work is never truly finished. UNSW researchers, Professor Martin Green and Professor Andrea Morello, exemplify the power of persistence over decades. Convincing your peers of the importance of your ideas is a life-long battle - mastering the art of communication is essential.
A typical thesis is between 60,000 and 100,00 words, but what if you didn't have 3-4 years to deliver your magnum opus? What if you only had 3 minutes?
Skills you'll master during the completion of your thesis:
- Planning: Learning time and project management to optimise research tasks with guidance from experienced supervisors
- Articulation: Communicating your ideas effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders
- Endurance: Iterate, refine, and adapt until the answer finds you
- Collaboration: Working in teams of multi-disciplinary engineering specialists with divergent perspectives
- Translation: Converting designs into working prototypes for industry
A word from our Fearless Director
Deciding to pursue a research degree is a daunting prospect for anyone. As a former PhD survivor myself, I had my fair share of highs and lows, but it taught me to always look at the world from different angles, take initiative and look for opportunities outside my comfort zone. Within 6 months, I was on a plane to Germany!
If you're curious but unsure if research is the right path for you, here are a few personal tips from my time in the lab.
Megan Lord
Professor at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering and founding Academic Director of AGSE Industry PhD Program
Tips to help you on your research journey:
- Ask yourself what a research degree achieves and why you wish to pursue a research degree in the first place, establishing a clear goal to help guide you throughout your academic journey, both personally and professionally.
- Find a topic, problem or question that you are passionate about spending a few years investigating.
- Find a supervisor who you can trust and confide in during the highs and lows of the project.
- Make the most of this time by networking with other students, academics and industry contacts related to your project, field and beyond to prepare yourself for life after your PhD!
Flexible research opportunities tailored to you
Two degrees, three learning models.
-
Completing a PhD within the AGSE Industry PhD program includes:
- Meeting all the requirements for the PhD degree in Engineering in a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent (FTE)
- Enrolment in one of our 8 Engineering Schools under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
- A minimum of 60 days full-time equivalent industry placement related to the project with an industry supervisor
- A tailored professional development program
- Industry, academic, and peer networking and mentoring
- Transcript recognition of the program participation
- Whether you are a recent university graduate or an experienced industry professional, the flexible program models will suit your needs:
Industry engaged Industry sponsored Industry employed Complete your PhD funded by a university scholarship with industry engagement. Complete your PhD co-designed with industry and funded by an industry scholarship. Complete your PhD integrated with employment in industry. Scholarship
Industry engaged Industry sponsored Industry employed Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 3.5 years full-time:ÌýÌý´Ç°ùÌý Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 4 years full-time:ÌýÌý´Ç°ùÌý Not applicable
Tuition fees
All program models
For domestic candidates, tuition fees are offset (i.e. no tuition fees apply).
For international candidates, apply for a tuition fee scholarship (maximum of 3.5 years FTE) or visitÌýHDR Fees and CostsÌýfor details.
Industry support
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Supervision during industry placement
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Optional:
Co-supervision throughout the PhD project
Top-up scholarship (min $10,000Ìýpa)
Scholarship (starting at the UNSW RTP rate for up to 4 years full-time)
Supervision during industry placement
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Optional:
Co-supervision throughout the PhD project
Employee salary
Industry supervisor throughout the PhD project
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and expertise access)
-
Completing a Master of Industrial Research (MIR) within the AGSE Industry PhD program includes:
- Meeting all the requirements for theÌýMaster of Industrial Research degreeÌýin a minimum of 1.5 years full-time equivalent (FTE)
- Enrolment in one of our 8 Engineering School under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
- A supervisor based in industry
- Industry, academic, and peer networking and mentoring
Whether you are a recent university graduate or an experienced industry professional, the flexible program models will suit your needs:
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Complete your MIR funded by a university scholarship with industry engagement.
Complete your MIR co-designed with industry and funded by an industry scholarship.
Complete your MIR integrated with employment in industry.
Ìý
Scholarship
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 2 years full-time:ÌýÌý´Ç°ùÌý
Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 2 years full-time:ÌýÌý´Ç°ùÌý
Not applicable
Tuition fees
All program models
For domestic candidates, tuition fees are offset (i.e. no tuition fees apply).
For international candidates, apply for a tuition fee scholarship (maximum of 2 years FTE) or visitÌýHDR Fees and CostsÌýfor details.
Industry support
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Industry supervisor
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Optional:
Top-up scholarship (min $10,000Ìýpa)
Scholarship (starting at the UNSW RTP rate for up to 2 years full-time)
Industry supervisor throughout the MIR project
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Employee salary
Industry supervisor throughout the MIR project
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and expertise access)
Where do I start?
- Find a Supervisor with an industry-engaged project you're interested in pursuing.
- Apply to UNSW and identify yourself as an industry-engaged applicant.
- Once you have accepted your admission offer, you will be considered for the AGSE Industry PhD Program.
- Accept the invitation and join our cohort of fearless thinkers!
Apeksha Goswami from the School of Chemical Engineering won second prize at the 2023 '3 Minute Thesis' competition and was awarded $1500 for her innovative research into meat marbling.
Our Industry Partners
We work with a diverse mix of sectors including energy, water, food, IT, medicine, and space to bring a fresh lens to stubborn problems along their engineering value chains. Our program connects different generations of leaders to grapple, grasp and overcome these challenges, to unlock their deepest-held values, and bring their vision for humanity to life.
"These PhD students are highly skilled people so we gain access to their academic expertise. They really help us to innovate...We're proud to invest in them."
- Dr Lidija Kotula, Weet-Bix Scientist at Sanitarium Health Foods