New Partnership to Accelerate Innovation in Australian Aerospace Industry
With hopes of catalysing innovation in the aerospace industry, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute’s (AMSI) APR.Intern program in conjunction with Swinburne University of Technology’s Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub have established a partnership that will aim to increase the number of aerospace PhD internship projects undertaken by mid-2024.
The partnership will amplify APR.Intern’s focus on increasing employability, on broadening business and university collaborations and the AIR Hub’s focus on industry led applied research. The collaboration will contribute to increasing PhD industry engagement by facilitating the placement of PhD students from the AIR Hub and Swinburne to undertake short-term focused research projects as an intern embedded with an aerospace industry partner for up to six months. The program is a cost-effective solution for industry, paying a modest stipend for the student but receiving significant expertise in return.
To show greater support for the initiative APR.Intern, and the AIR Hub, in partnership with the Defence Science Institute (DSI), will conditionally provide one subsidy per project valued at $10,000 to SME partners with projects that relate to Defence aerospace in 2023 and 2024.
Additionally, in alignment with APR.Intern’s and the AIR Hub’s commitment to increasing the number of women in STEM industry careers, the Women in STEM Subsidy is available to AIR Hub partners that engage a female PhD candidate from a STEM discipline. The $7,500 subsidy, funded by the Australian Government Women in STEM & Entrepreneurship (WISE) grants program, will be able to be combined with the DSI subsidy which would total $17,500, making this opportunity readily accessible for SME’s.
Recognising AIR Hub’s leverage in cutting edge research, state of the art facilities and expert teams across aerospace partner organisations, AMSI Director Professor Tim Marchant said the collaboration would create new research opportunities for Australia’s aerospace sector.
“AMSI is pleased to support this exciting initiative, which will provide AIR Hub research students with new internship opportunities in the aviation sector,” he said.
The partnership represents a wealth of opportunities for both industry and research students. Students engaged in the research projects will build valuable industry networks while developing soft skills that will enhance their employability. Industry partners will benefit from a cost-effective solution to R&D challenges with minimal administration, and will be able to diversify their workforce and research capabilities.
The AIR Hub’s Director Dr Adriano Di Pietro pointed to how APR.Interns brings research and industry together, facilitating advanced development and cutting edge research to be undertaken on site embedded within industry teams.
“The AIR Hub and Swinburne are excited by this opportunity to grow Australia’s talent in aerospace industry researchers, giving our students exposure to real industry challenges and the art of possible by working on applied projects. We know these internships will attract those considering an industry focused research and development career.”
AIR Hub PhD’s are focused on:
- Aerospace materials, including multi-functional materials,
- Smart aerostructures including design,
- Advanced manufacturing including automation and industry 4.0
- Digitalisation including model based systems engineering (MBSE),
- Clean propulsion systems including electric and hydrogen technology, and
- Flight trials including advanced air mobility operations.
The collaboration between APR.Intern and AIR Hub will aim to develop innovative technologies and solutions that can improve the efficiency and sustainability of Australia’s aerospace industry.
Delivered by AMSI, Australian Postgraduate Research (APR) Intern is Australia’s only national all sector – all discipline internship program placing PhD students into business.
