Science Research Internship (SCIE90036)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Off Campus
Semester 2 - Off Campus
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This subject allows students to undertake a 3-6 month internship with a host organisation in an area relevant to their potential career destination. Students may undertake a defined research project within the host organisation and/or participate in team-based research or business activities, while also being exposed to the broader operational contexts of an organisation.

The internship will provide students with the opportunity to apply their research skills and capacity in an organisational context, gain practical experience and build professional networks in order to further enhance their career options. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their employability skills including communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, organisational, project-management and time-management skills, and gain a greater understanding of career planning and professional development considerations and employer expectations.

Prior to placement students may be required to undertake preparatory seminars and/or online training modules covering topics that will include professional standards of behaviour and ethical conduct, working in teams, time management and workplace networking. Placements must be approved by the student’s supervisor in consultation with the Subject Coordinator. More information is available on the subject webpage here: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/internship-subjects/phd-internships. If you have problems finding a placement you should contact the Careers and Industry team in the Faculty of Science (contact details can be found under the specific study period on the Dates and Times page).

Students may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and/or assign ownership of any intellectual property generated during the internship to the host organisation.

If primary research is carried out during the internship, obtaining relevant ethics approval is the responsibility of the host organisation.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an enhanced capacity to apply theory to practice in a relevant context
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply relevant research methodologies rigorously and appropriately
  • In the context of the conditions, cultures, and practices of a workplace identify the complexities of professional decision making and management
  • Understand the value of industry and professional networks and their importance to self-reliance, lifelong learning and career progression
  • Understand and critically reflect upon key professional attributes sought by employers

Generic skills

On completion of Science and Technology Internship, students should be able to demonstrate:

  • Flexibility, adaptability, time management and organisational skills as a result of their participation in the workplace;
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a professional workplace and to work with and interact with a wide range of people inside and outside their host organisations, including working in teams;
  • Understanding of organisational culture and ethics, safe work practices, and the diversity of workplaces;
  • Analytical, problem-solving, research, and report-writing skills;
  • Ability to manage and plan work;
  • Capacity for initiative and enterprise;
  • Capacity for lifelong learning, self-reliance and professional development

Last updated: 4 March 2025