Research internships

Internships undertaken during candidature offer students access to industry talent, while at the same time, providing valuable work experience.

A research internship is where you will work on a paid or unpaid research project with an industry partner.

Research internships are an excellent opportunity to apply your research skills and theory in a practical manner and expand your networks and employability by working on short-term industry research projects.

Finding an internship opportunity

It is important to discuss research internship opportunities with your supervisory team as early as possible and aim to secure an internship with the support of your supervisor and the research end-user (partner organisation) within the first 18 months of your enrolment (or within 36 months if you are part-time).

Some of the ways you can find an internship opportunity include:

• Self sourced: Your supervisors may have ideas on a suitable industry partner to work with that may complement your research. Alternatively, once you have obtained supervisory support, you can contact an organisation directly and follow our step-by-step guide [145kB].
  
• Industry PhD programs: If you are undertaking an CSIRO Industry PhD, National Industry PhD program or an industry sponsored doctoral degree with a valid research end-user, you may be eligible to claim an internship incentive. If you are unsure, email a copy of your agreement to ROC-Excellence@curtin.edu.au
  
• Service providers Curtin University works with APR Intern, Biodesign Australia, and Curtin Industry Exchange, as these organisations match doctoral students with industry partners to work on paid research projects.

How to claim an internship incentive

A research doctorate student who is completing a Doctoral Degree (Research) or Doctoral Degree (Professional) qualification may be eligible to claim up to $4,000 for undertaking an eligible internship.

To claim the internship incentive, your industry-based research project must meet the following criteria:

• The internship must be a minimum of 3 calendar months in duration, and at least 60 full-time equivalent (FTE) days of engagement;
• The project must be related to your area of research and comprise of research and development activities;
• An eligible research end-user (external to academia); and
• A signed internship agreement within the first 18 months of course commencement (or 36 months for a part-time student).

You can undertake your 60 day industry internship at any point throughout your degree, but you must satisfy all requirements before you complete your course.

Internship frequently asked questions

Research internship documents and guides

• PhD Internship Flyer [.pdf 1MB]
• Guidelines – RTP Eligible Internships [.pdf 406kB]
• Internship Agreements
  1. Internship Master Agreement [.pdf 296kB] – Organisation and Curtin signs
  2. Internship Participation Agreement [.pdf 457kB] – student and Curtin signs
  3. Partnership Contract: request via ROC-Excellence@curtin.edu.au
• A short step-by-step guide for PhD students [.pdf 145kB]
• Internship Work Plan Instructions (enclosed within contracts) [.pdf 71 kB]
• Internship Work Plan Blank Template (attach to the contract) [.pdf 138 kB]
• Pre-Internship Checklist (access via ‘SONIA’ forms)
• Internship completion form (access via SONIA forms)
• Research internships and RSP briefing for students and supervisors [.pdf 681 kB]

Internship Preparation Workshops

To register, login to UniHub and under ‘Events’ search for HDR Internship Preparation Workshop. Workshops run 10am to 3pm AWST.

• Stay tuned for 2025 workshop dates coming soon.

Contact us

Email ROC-Excellence@curtin.edu.au for further information.