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APR.Intern is here to help your business grow.
We facilitate short-term PhD student placements that connect businesses with Australia’s brightest emerging research talent. Over 3-6 months, businesses can fill a skills gap and benefit from PhD-level research expertise.
We’re here to provide an easy, cost-effective solution to tackle some of the R&D challenges facing Australian businesses today. PhD student placements bring specialist knowledge from both the research student and their Academic Mentor.
Businesses also have the opportunity to be progressive industry leaders by supporting the future PhD workforce with invaluable, hands-on experience.
THE BENEFITS
- Rapid results in 3-6 months
- A cost-effective solution to tackle R&D challenges, with sector-specific subsidies available
- Business retains all IP
- Minimal administration; APR.Intern manages all HR
- Fill a skills gap with PhD student and Academic Mentor’s expertise
- Grow your diverse workforce and accelerate innovation
Open Up Your World
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HOW IT WORKS
- Talk to APR.Intern – we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish
- Outline your project needs
- We’ll source student and mentor teams from universities across Australia to find the perfect match
- Interview and select the right candidate for your business
OUR NETWORK
We have a growing pool of specialist PhD students from all of Australia’s leading universities.
Search through our online database of available students here.
PROGRAM COSTS
The cost of engaging a PhD student intern starts at $20,000 for a 3-month internship.
Discounts are available for businesses with existing university connections, and subsidies are available for businesses in Defence, Manufacturing and MedTech sectors through our program partnerships.
FAQ
What is the working arrangement between the student and the industry partner?
The primary aim of the program is for the student to gain relevant professional training and skills within a workplace setting, relating to their area of study. Students do not undertake day-to-day commercial activities, but focus on a short term, self-contained research project related to their field of study. There is no employment contract between the student and the industry partner and as such the student is not held to obligations whilst undertaking the internship. Students remain enrolled at the university whilst completing the internship and receive a scholarship, not a hourly rate. The project contract outlines that the industry partner is under no obligation to create an employment relationship with the student and that the primary purpose of the internship is for the intern’s educational purposes.
What is the program’s policy regarding confidentiality and disclosure?
We support the creation of confidentiality and non‑disclosure agreements between participating parties providing the reasonable rights of interns and their mentors are maintained. It is important that these agreements don’t impair the ability of academic mentors or interns to publish their results or for a student to complete his/her thesis. In some instances, these agreements can call for delays in the period before which publications should take place.
What is APR.Intern’s policy regarding Intellectual Property (IP)?
APR.Intern makes no claim whatsoever to IP. Ownership of Project Intellectual Property created during the project will vest upon its creation in the Industry Partner.
Can our industry contribution be “in-kind”?
There are no in-kind options with this program.
Can the industry partner be outside of Australia?
The eligibility of a foreign company to participate in the APR.Intern program will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
Do I get to choose the PhD student?
Yes, all industry partners ultimately have the final say in which student and academic mentor they wished to work with.
How are projects developed?
The industry partner identifies a challenge requiring the expertise of an APR.Intern, this challenge is then developed into a project by the intern, mentor and industry partner.
How long are projects?
Internships can range from 3-6 months.
