Partner with us

Collaborate with our impact-driven researchers and students to exchange ideas and expertise.

Joint research and consultancy

ARC Linkage programs

The Australian Research Council (ARC) is an independent body established by the Australian Government to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake quality research. An ARC Linkage Grant is an effective way to leverage your research dollar, giving you access to University expertise to meet your organisation’s research and development challenges. 

Your organisation can partner with our researchers to apply for a grant that, together with a contribution from your organisation, provides the critical mass to get research underway. Our staff will coordinate the paperwork, and the ARC brokers agreements with industry partners that take care of all the statutory requirements.

Industry/Government research contracts and consultancy

You can work with us to establish agreements to undertake research and development. We provide professional opinion and expertise, as well as laboratory-based or field-based testing services.

Commercialisation services

Joint research and development can often lead to innovations with commercial potential.

We have a strong record of commercialisation success and have access to University innovation and commercial development specialists through the UQ Research Partnerships Office.

The Office works with 2 commercialisation companies to achieve innovation and impact through partnering, licensing and startups:

UniQuest: specialises in global technology transfer and facilitates access for all business sectors to UQ’s expertise, intellectual property and facilities
JKTech Pty Ltd: assists mine sites to achieve future production targets through advisory services and training across the value chain.

Contact us

Visit our people section to find an expert in your area of interest.

If you’re considering a direct partnership with us, email our Research Administrator to discus your idea: senv.research.admin@uq.edu.au

Student industry placements

Student placements

Placements offer our industry partners the opportunity to host some of our brightest young scientific minds.

Students obtain invaluable practical experience that allows them to hone their skills in a realistic work environment and prepare for the challenges of transitioning to working life, while gaining credit towards their degree.

In turn, hosts can add value to their organisation by engaging enthusiastic and knowledgeable students who bring to the workplace fresh ideas, perspectives and skills, and who can be an extra resource for project work or research tasks.

UQ provides insurance for students who undertake unpaid placements.

Student placement types include:

Higher degree by research (e.g. PhD) students

Under the UQ Graduate School's Career Development Framework, HDR students are encouraged to consider sourcing an industry or government placement and working with the Graduate School to facilitate it. 

If you are interested in hosting an HDR student, read the advice given to students and contact the Graduate School.

Postgraduate coursework (Masters) students

One semester (up to 13 weeks) industry placement/internship – full-time or part-time.

Students undertake a technical project often with a research focus, or undertake work that involves any aspect of the industry partner’s operations and can be paper-based (review of the regulatory landscape around a new environmental initiative) or hands-on (ecological surveying).

Honours students

One-year research project.

Generally technical in nature and can be lab-based or field-based; paper-based projects with a commercial or management focus are also possible.

Must be suitable as preparatory training leading into a higher degree by research studies and have the potential to lead to publication(s) or be the foundation for further collaborative research.

Undergraduate students

120-160 hours for second- and third-year students.

Available in the winter break (June/July) or in summer (November to February), full-time or part-time.

Undertake technical or paper-based projects, and can have a focus on research and development, depending on the needs of the company.

For more information, visit Science placements or email the Faculty of Science placements team: placements@science.uq.edu.au.

Science engagement in your workplace

Science Engagement in the Community (SCIE3010) is a project-based course where students develop, deliver and evaluate a science engagement strategy or activity with an external community audience.

If you would like our students to work with you on a community engagement project, and can provide some guidance and mentorship in Semester 2 (August to November), please contact Course Coordinator Dr Gurion Ang to discuss the opportunity: gurion.ang@uq.edu.au

Support tomorrow’s leaders

Giving

Supporting students in programs that align with industry needs and vision helps ensure not just a transformative education for the students, but also that Australian businesses have the talent they need to succeed and thrive long into the future.

Scholarships encourage high-achieving students, including those from rural and remote areas who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend university. They clear the way for those who face financial challenges to focus on their studies instead of on work and paying the bills.

Your support of these students forges a relationship with them and demonstrates to them that you are forward-thinking and that you care. In today’s competitive marketplace, student leaders choose their employers based on things like that, every bit as much as on salary and annual leave.

Scholarships come in many shapes and sizes, can be for domestic and/or international students, and may be tailored to support experiential learning through industry placements or research projects.

To discuss how you can make a difference through scholarships and prizes, email the UQ Science scholarships team: science.scholarships@uq.edu.au. 

Participate in our industry events

Our regular industry events give students and graduates the chance to network with and learn from industry experts. We also invite industry experts to provide guest lectures or participate in panels in our undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.

By attending or speaking at our events, you can raise your organisation’s profile within our School community and meet some of the talented students who are keen to develop their knowledge and gain hands-on experience.