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HDR Industry Internships

A research industry internship is a valuable opportunity for you to enhance your research capabilities, acquire practical, transferrable research skills in an industry setting and establish professional networks essential for a successful career in industry.

“Participating in a Higher Degree by Research Internship was an incredible experience. It provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, expand my professional network, and enhance visibility within my future field. Working at the ACT Government Office of Water allowed me to translate my PhD skills into practical applications alongside a dynamic team, which will undoubtedly benefit my future endeavours.” - Joseph O’Connell, PhD Candidate

image of Joseph O’Connell, PhD candidate 2024
Joseph O’Connell, PhD candidate 2024. Read more about the research Joseph is doing in UC’s Newsroom

What is a research internship?

Research internships involve collaborating and working with an external research end-user to undertake Research & Development (R&D) activities related to your area of research. Research internships must be:

  • Agreed to in written form with a research end-user (also known as an industry partner) within the first 18 months of your candidature.
  • A minimum duration of three calendar months, with a total of at least 60 days Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)* of engagement. This can be completed in a block period or regular days per week as agreed between you, the University and the industry partner.

Internships can be paid or unpaid and can be completed remotely, online, on-site, in Australia or overseas.

*A Full-Time Equivalent day can be calculated using the standard working day for the research end-user’s industry. Where no industry specific standard exists, it’s defined by the National Employment Standards of a maximum of 38 hours per week (7.6 hours per day).

What is a research end-user?

A research end-user is an individual, community, or organisation external to academia that will directly use or benefit from the output or outcomes of your research. More information about what is or isn’t considered a research end-user can be found here.

What is a Research and Development (R&D) activity?

R&D activities are defined in the 2015 Frascati Manual as ‘creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.’

To be a R&D activity, it must satisfy all 5 of the core criteria. A R&D activity must be:

  1. Novel: aimed at new findings
  2. Creative: based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypotheses
  3. Uncertain: uncertain about the final outcome(s)
  4. Systemic: planned and budgeted
  5. Transferable and/or Reproducible: lead to results that could be possibly reproduced.

If you’re unsure what is considered R&D, it’s best to speak to your supervisor or Faculty for some guidance and advic

How do I organise a research internship?

  1. Speak to your supervisor to explore internship opportunities with industry partner organisations that align with your research.
    • It’s best to have these discussions with your supervisor as early as possible. While you can undertake an internship anytime during your study, the second year is the best time to do your internship.
    • Your supervisor is the best person to assess whether the engagement is suitable and complementary to your research, and they must endorse your internship.
    • If you’re needing support in identifying and initiating connections with potential industry partner organisations, speak to your primary supervisor and Faculty as the first point of contact. You can also consider seeking advice from the following:
  2. Approach suitable industry partner organisations (i.e. research end-user) to confirm their interest in hosting your internship.
    • The industry partner must meet the definition of a research end-user and provide a qualified professional from their organisation to supervise your internship and the activities you will be doing.
  3. Discuss internship details with your supervisor and industry partner. 
    • You need to agree on the R&D activities you will complete during the internship and ensure if aligns with your area of research.
    • You can plan for your internship to be completed in-block or regular days per week as long as the total time spent on the internship is at least 60 days FTE over a period of three calendar months or more.
  4. Complete and sign a Letter of Intent.
    • Once you, your supervisor and industry partner have agreed on the internship details, you need to complete a Letter of Intent that sets out the internship dates, duration and the R&D activities you will be undertaking.
    • The Letter will need to be signed by you, your supervisor and the industry partner within the first 18 months of your candidature.

    Need financial support? You may be eligible for the UC HDR Internship Scholarship. The internship scholarship provides funding to support eligible doctoral candidates while they undertake an unpaid research internship with an industry partner. Find out more about the scholarship and consider submitting an application.

  5. Work with your supervisor to execute an internship agreement.
    • An internship agreement is the legally binding document between UC and the industry partner agreeing to the internship conditions, including the ownership of Intellectual Property (IP). This agreement can be in the form of a Host Organisation Work Agreement (HOWA), collaborative research agreement or work contract.
    • Your primary supervisor should be the main Faculty/University contact for the industry partner during this negotiation process.
    • Your primary supervisor can contact GRS to request for the internship agreement template.

What do I need to do before I start my internship?

An internship agreement must be executed before your start your internship. All UC HDR interns must also complete the WIL Ready Internship unit in UCLearn before starting their internship.

Contact GRS to let us know about your internship and we can help you with the next steps.

I’ve completed my internship. What’s next?

Once you’ve completed your internship, you’ll need to report the internship and other industry engagement activities you’ve completed during your candidature. You can report your industry engagement by submitting the end-user reporting form via MyUC.

Read more about your reporting requirements here.

More questions?

Contact Graduate Research School if you have more questions or need further advice.