Be the first to know about all the professional development opportunities on offer for UNSW Science students. This includes science work placements, research internships and co-curricular professional development programs, events and webinars. Getting hands-on industry work experience gives you insights beyond the lab and lectures. It also enhances your CV and may earn you credit towards your degree.
You can see previous opportunities HERE.
Dates: 18 - 21 October - with multiple sessions running each day
Suitable For: All UNSW Science students
Careers in Science Week is four-day festival co-hosted by the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Health and Medicine and UNSW Employability. While there is a focus on careers in life and health sciences, all science areas are covered – everything from data science to physics and aviation! The festival will provide an open forum for you to raise questions and explore ideas about how to carve a meaningful career with a science degree.
Throughout the week, there will be a range of events specific to you and your potential career pathways.
Exploring Careers in Science
You can register your interest here. Once you’ve registered your interest in the festival, you'll be able to access the Moodle page for this event, which provides you with more information on every event throughout the week, along with details of the employers and alumni who will also be in attendance for each session.
Make sure to register for each specific session of your interest, as you will only be able to access the event link for each session after registering.
For information regarding our Science sessions above, please email renee.york@unsw.edu.au
For questions regarding other sessions in the week, please email employability@unsw.edu.au
Opportunity Type:
Deadline: Friday July 30th
Placement details: These placements are open to students eligible to enrol from the faculty of Science.
Location: Due to the ongoing physical restrictions of COVID-19, the placement will run fully online, with a combination of workshops and teamwork.
Placement Dates: The placements will run in term 3, 2021 – Monday 13 September to Friday, 19 November
Placement Workshops: Online workshops and allocated teamworking time will be scheduled during the following timeframes:
Assessment: In addition to attending the internship placement workshops, students are required to complete assessment tasks as part of the course. These assessment tasks will be mapped to the project deliverables.
How to apply: Please email your application by Friday, 30th July with the following details to wil.central@unsw.edu.au
More Information can be found Here.
Relevant For: BABS and Life Sciences Students
Deadline: Thursday September 2nd
The Student Scholarship & Volunteer Programme will provide students the opportunity to participate, learn, exchange and engage in the online AusBiotech 2021 programme as well as the in-person programme and functions on Tuesday 26 October held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Recognising, encouraging and upskilling students of all backgrounds from across Australia, aligns with AbbVie’s commitment to serving the community and driving diversity and inclusion.
You can find more information here: https://www.ausbiotechnc.org/
Successful applicants will receive:
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:
More information here https://www.ausbiotechnc.org/student-scholarship
Most relevant For: Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science students
Deadline: Ongoing applications being taken
Opportunity Type: Potential for 6 UOC science or free elective
Continual G is an innovative company, specialising in a line of dietary supplements containing gamma-glutamylcysteine (GGC), with manufacturing and research in the US and Newcastle NSW. GGC is the immediate precursor to glutathione, which is often referred to as the “master antioxidant” as it is central to our health via the control of cellular oxidative stress.
Continual G is seeking current 2nd and 3rd year bioscience university students interested in internship experiences, for 3 weeks to longer periods. You can more about Continual G and their work below;
This opportunity will enable students to;
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact A/Prof Wallace Bridge wj.bridge@unsw.unsw.edu
Opportunity Type: Co-Curricular Program
Relevant For: All UG and PG Science Students
Deadline: 9.00am Thursday 16th September
U21 will be delivered by Common Purpose, a global not-for-profit organisation that specializes in Cross-Boundary Leadership. Participants will develop ideas together, across borders and time zones, honing skills needed to thrive in the 21st century whilst tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems.
These real world problems are based off the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with many being of high relevance to your studies as science students, such as;
You can read more about these goals here.
Successful completion of the program and all activities will earn you the Global Citizens micro-credential which you can display on your LinkedIn profile, demonstrating that you have developed the skills to tackle complex global issues and stand up as a leader.
As a result of the program, you will be:
Students should register their interest at http://unsw.aglobal.education/st-application as early as possible before 9.00am Thursday 16th September 2021.
Ideal For: Open to all UNSW students
We are asking participants to reimagine the existing approaches to communicating climate change and thereby promoting positive climate action. Students will be tasked with the below challenge;
"How might we transform the way we communicate issues of climate change to diverse audiences in order to create positive action towards the regeneration of systems on individual, local and global scales?"
The hackathon is a 2.5 day event (15-17 October) and students will work on solutions for climate change, be mentored by experts, learn new techniques, collaborate with other students, pitch your ideas and have the chance to win cash prizes!
Schedule
You'll also have the chance to build new skills. Before the event you'll be given access to the below;
Registrations for the hackathon are open on Eventbrite.
Every summer, CSIRO offer around 100 research placement opportunities to high-achieving penultimate (second-last year) undergraduate students across a range of science disciplines.
Students receive a stipend for the duration of the placement. The location of the placement could be at your local CSIRO site, one of 50 locations other across the country or conducted virtually, depending on the project you'll be working on.
The program takes place over the summer break and placements typically take 8-12 weeks. All placements are full-time. Any UNSW Science students interested in applying should contact the designated project supervisor to ensure flexible start/end dates can be arranged to accommodate Term 3 exams and/or the start of Term 1 2022. Students may contact science.industry@unsw.edu.au if they have issues with course clashes.
Application Deadline: Wednesday August 4th
For further information on projects, eligibility and how to apply, see below.
Relevant For: Environmental science, marine science, biology, ecology, and food science students
Opportunity Type: 12 UOC science elective
Deadline: Applications EXTENDED to Oct 18th
The ACICIS Virtual Agriculture Professional Program (APP) provides students with a unique opportunity to gain professional experience and establish international networks in Indonesia. Further, it will help you to build invaluable workplace skills and diversify your CV!
This six-week, 160 hour virtual program covers the of fields of agriculture, food science, environment and resource management from the unique perspective of Indonesian experts in Agribusiness. Environmental science, marine science, biology, ecology, and food science students are encouraged to apply, with $3000 scholarships available for eligible students.
The Agriculture Professional Practicum program gives students the opportunity to understand cultural, commercial, and governmental factors shaping Indonesia's agriculture industry via virtual fieldtrips, seminars and intensive Indonesian language classes, alongside a supervised professional work placement with an agricultural, agribusiness, or resource management organisation based in Indonesia.
Successful applicants may apply for 12 units of credit as science electives towards their science degree, as cross institutional credit.
For more information on the Practicum Program, please click HERE.
To apply for the January-February 2022 program (January 3rd - Feb 11th), submit an online application to ACICIS by: 18 October 2021
Opportuntiy Type: Potential for SCIF3199 enrolment and 6 UOC free elective or science credit *contact science.industry@unsw.edu.au for more information
Ideal For: Penultimate or Final year Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering students
Deadline: Monday 30th of August 2021
James Hardie is the global leader in the production of high-performance Fibre Cement and Fibre Gypsum building solutions. We employ a diverse global workforce of approximately 4,900 employees across operations in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
About the Program:
James Hardie is offering the option of a 3-6 months paid internship program beginning late November, which will give you the opportunity to work alongside industry leading experts, follow latest research and work with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
During your program you will:
About the Ideal Candidate:
In this fast-paced and agile environment, James Hardie are looking for smart, real and driven individuals with a high propensity for learning and an inquisitive mindset.
They are seeking individuals who:
NOTE: Any UNSW Science students interested in applying should contact the designated project supervisor - Alicia Tan (Alicia.Tan@jameshardie.com.au) to arrange flexible start/end dates to accommodate Term 3 exams and/or the start of Term 1 2022.
Students may contact science.industry@unsw.edu.au if they have issues with course clashes.
The following documents will need to be supplied upon your application.
“What does innovation mean to you and discuss an example of innovation you admire in your chosen field?” (Maximum of 500 words)
Opportunity Type: Paid and AHEGS accredited student role
Ideal for: Domestic and international undergraduate students.
Deadline: Sunday 24 October, 2021
The UNSW Student Ambassador Program is aimed at current university students who have a passion for UNSW and would like to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and experiences with prospective students, parents and teachers. You'll also promote the University across a range of recruitment activities including school visits, campus tours, careers markets and Open/Info Days.
Ambassadors are provided with extensive and ongoing training in order to prepare them for the role and keep their knowledge up to date. Student Ambassadors develop important communication and interpersonal skills and gain valuable work experience, which will boost their career prospects.
In addition to being paid, this program is also accredited by UNSW Advantage as eligible for recognition on your Australian Higher Graduation Statement (AHEGS).
For further information on the position description and how to apply, please head to this link: https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/ambassadors
For further information please contact Bianca Gaspar:
Opportunity Type: 6 UOC general education credit for eligible science students
The UNSW Engineering ChallENG program offers, real-world, project-based learning initiatives for UNSW students! This multidisciplinary educational approach connects students, academics and industry enabling students to develop the essential technical and professional skills so they will thrive in their future career.
VIP extends project-based learning beyond a single semester. It allows time for students to gain a deeper insight into their field of study and is a wonderful opportunity in a safe environment to develop sought-after professional skills. Through VIP, students interact with the academic’s industry partners (potential employers) and receive course credit.
There are 30 vertically integrated projects available for you to apply for in 2022! You can explore them here.
Some relevant projects for Science students are below;
Throughout your project, a seniority will also provide you with leadership, management, and mentorship roles that will help prepare you for the workforce.
The application process for these projects is as below;
Note: Most UNSW students can apply to a VIP project in their first year and begin in their second year at UNSW.
More information on eligibility, prerequisites, assessment and more can be found here.
If you have further questions about this opportunity, please contact the ChallENG Program Team below;
Phone: (+61) 2 9385 5000
Email: challeng@unsw.edu.au
Application Deadline: Friday 27th August 2021
Start Date: Term 1 2022
Scholarship 1 - Australian Research Council PhD scholarship: Understanding lateral ocean transport at small scales
UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics offers a fully funded PhD scholarship and top-up scholarship in the area of ocean dynamics. The scholarship is funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Proposal DP210102745 “Understanding lateral ocean transport at small scales”, a collaboration between UNSW Sydney, the University of Western Australia, the Australian National University, and the French Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer). The outcomes of this project will contribute to the future NASA-CNES Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite mission, to be launched in 2022.
Scholarship 2 - NSW Defence Innovation Network PhD Scholarship: Kelvin wake fingerprinting for submerged vessels
UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics and the NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN) have partnered with Naval Group, a world leader in maritime defence, to offer a fully funded PhD scholarship and top-up scholarship to grow local Australian skills and support Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) career pathways in Defence. This project has been co-developed by Naval Group engineers and researchers at UNSW Sydney and Macquarie University and will be part of Naval Group’s long-term commitment to Australian defence research.
More information on both projects can be found here.
Applications are invited from domestic PhD candidates who are enrolling on a full-time basis. Applicants must have a Bachelor degree with first class honours, Master of Philosophy or Master of Research, or equivalent. The candidate must be eligible to enrol in an accredited Research Doctorate at UNSW. Applicants for this scholarship will not be considered if they do not meet the minimum UNSW requirements for doctoral candidature. Please first check the requirements for admission, at: https://research.unsw.edu.au/higher-degree-research-programs.
This scholarship is available to Australian citizens only. Successful applicants will be asked to provide a police clearance before commencing the project.
Eligible candidates interested in either project, should first contact Dr Shane Keating at s.keating@unsw.edu.au to discuss their interest and suitability for this project.
Opportunity Type: Science or free elective
Ideal for: Any undergraduate 2nd, 3rd year or postgraduate (coursework) ecology / environmental science students, including international students.
Deadline: 11:45pm, Monday 22nd November
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is a statutory (NSW Government) not-for-profit body established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, which commenced operating in 2017. The BCT is within the portfolio of the NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, and is the primary organisation delivering private land conservation in NSW.
A key project of the BCT is the Ecological Monitoring Module (EMM). The EMM seeks to measure state and change in biodiversity on BCT agreement and control sites across NSW, in order to evaluate conservation outcomes and inform adaptive management. The EMM methodology uses vegetation integrity as a surrogate for biodiversity value and is centred around the Biodiversity Assessment Method.
Internships will involve fieldwork implementing the EMM at a variety of agreement and/or control sites within a particular BCT region (see map below); undertaking plot-based vegetation surveys under the supervision of a BCT ecologist. Each project will also include an independent research component, where interns will collect and analyse data on a complementary biodiversity value (e.g. bird or reptile diversity) at the same set of sites.
Opportunities for internships over the next 12 months occur during the following timeframes:
Specific dates are to be negotiated on a student-by-student basis with the relevant BCT regional staff.
The internship is unpaid, though the BCT will cover all costs (e.g. travel and accommodation) associated with undertaking fieldwork in different regions. Students must complete the internship as part of a work-integrated-learning elective course.
If you have any questions about the above eligibility requirements, please contact science.industry@unsw.edu.au.
Please submit your application via this online form. You will be asked to submit a brief resume, academic statement and cover letter. The Cover letter should be no more than 1-2 pages and address the following relevant selection criteria.
The Student Academic and Career Success Team provides lots of resources to help you with job applications.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11:45pm Monday 22nd November
These opportunities are available all-year round!
Gain valuable career skills and experience through short term, company-backed virtual internships provided for free through Forage (previously known as InsideSherpa).
Opportunity type: Co-curricular Program
Ideal for: all science students, particularly those interested in expanding career opportunities into consulting, tech and finance industries, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Deadline: No deadline – get started whenever you like!
Forage is an online platform that provides virtual internship programs from a wide range of top companies.
These short programs (which take 5-6 hours to complete) will give you a glimpse into a variety of careers and companies that recruit STEM graduates. You’ll work on tasks that mirror the day-to-day work of employees at the organisation and receive training in a variety of practical professional skills that you can add onto your CV and LinkedIn profile. There’s even a Virtual Work Readiness program that will help you to navigate the work of virtual work.
If you are:
these short virtual internships are a must!
For more information and to register, please visit: https://student.unsw.edu.au/insidesherpa
Gain transferrable professional skills and insights into a variety of graduate roles with these short virtual experiences.
Opportunity type: Co-curricular Program
Ideal for: all science students, particularly those interested in expanding career opportunities into consulting, tech and finance industries.
Deadline: No deadline – get started whenever you're ready and work at your own pace.
In partnership with a range of graduate employers, GradAustralia is now offering a series of on-the-job learning modules and hypothetical tasks drawn from real-world examples of what it’s actually like to work in an organisation as a junior employee.
These virtual experiences are ideal for students who are:
Leverage your electives to gain relevant work experience and professional development skills.
This 6 UOC science elective gives you the opportunity to gain genuine work experience in a science or technology-related workplaces via an internship program.
These 6 UOC science elective courses are designed for science students interested in a research career. They involve a short theoretical or experimental research project (related to the student's major) that is supervised by a UNSW Science academic staff member. The internship may encompass project planning, literature review, project development, fieldwork, experimental work, statistical analyses and oral and written reporting.
BEES2051 is a specialised work placement course that allows students to work at a partner organisation in an area of Biological, Earth or Environmental science.
This 6 UOC general education or free elective course provides valuable career management training for undergraduate students. It covers:
This 6 UOC general education or free elective course provides the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams of students on real-life projects supervised by industry partners. Previous industry partners include The Australian Museum, GML Heritage and NTT.
Science communication skills are crucial for all science graduates regardless of their chosen science major. These science or free elective courses are a great opportunity to develop science communication skills or prepare for a career in science communication.
BEES2680 Introduction to Science Communication
BEES6800 The Science of Science Communication
This Real-world Industry Engagement and Employment Skills course is linked with external agencies, industries and businesses who provide projects to teams of students to work on.
