The Forest Research Institute (FRI) at UniSC, in partnership with Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), is supporting a new co-funded PhD internship scheme to drive innovation in Australia’s forest and wood products sector.
This internship program places high-performing PhD candidates with industry partners to deliver targeted research, address real-world challenges, and build stronger industry–research linkages.
What’s provided to students
Each successful intern will receive $18,000 in funding to support reasonable operating, travel and living costs during the placement, funded through the FRI and FWPA. Student’s PhD stipend payments will be put on hold for the duration of the internship.
Please note: The PhD program will be suspended while the internship is being completed, which will extend the PhD timeframe. Internship placements must be completed by May 2027.
Examples of Internship projects
- Remote sensing and geospatial analysis
- Forest inventory and resource modelling
- Forest restoration and biodiversity assessment
- Climate change and fire mitigation
- Mapping supply chain gaps and opportunities in forestry
- Developing digital tools for plantation productivity
- Pest monitoring and management
Eligibility
- Open to currently enrolled UniSC PhD students affiliated with the FRI or working in relevant research areas
- Students must have enough time remaining on their candidature to undertake the internship and complete their PhD
- Projects must align with the strategic priorities of FWPA and the forest and wood products industry. Refer to FWPA research priorities
Before applying, you should first discuss your interest with your supervisory team. Your supervisor/s will most likely have ideas for possible projects, a network of industry partners and can assist you to approach potential internship hosts.
Applicants should provide a short-written response (max. 300 words per criterion) addressing the following:
1. Relevance of research to the forest and wood products industry
Describe how your proposed internship project and broader research expertise align with the priorities of FWPA and the Australian forest and wood products sector. Highlight any applied elements or potential for real-world impact.
2. Proposed internship activities and outcomes
Outline the internship topic or challenge you propose to address, or identify an area of interest for potential industry collaboration. Describe the expected activities and potential benefits to the host organisation.
3. Industry engagement experience or potential
Provide examples of any past or current industry engagement, or describe how you would approach working within an industry setting (ie communication, collaboration, understanding industry needs).
4. Skills and capabilities
Summarise the technical, analytical, or professional skills you would bring to and gain from the internship. These might include research design, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, modelling, or fieldwork.
5. Internship value to your career development
Reflect on how this internship will contribute to your professional development, including research translation, industry exposure, and future career goals.
6. Internship readiness
Confirm your availability to undertake the placement (part-time or full-time), your expected PhD timeline (e.g., stage of candidature), how you will manage the internship in the context of your PhD program and your capacity to deliver project outcomes during the internship.
7. Confirmed industry host organisation
Identify the proposed host organisation and contact person. The application must include a signed letter of support from the host organisation confirming:
- Their willingness to host the intern for a 3-month placement
- Provision of appropriate desk and/or lab space (in-kind)
- A named supervisor who will oversee the intern’s work
Benefits for industry partners
- Fresh perspectives and research-driven solutions
- Enhanced links with academic expertise and future workforce
- Flexible internship design (on-site, remote or hybrid)
- UniSC-supported administration and recruitment
- Full intellectual property (IP) retention
- Students are covered by UniSC insurance for the duration of the program
Requirements for industry partners
- Supervision: Provide day-to-day guidance and oversight to the student.
- In-kind contribution: Provide the intern with suitable desk / lab space for the duration of the placement. While there is no direct cash contribution required, industry partners may contribute consumables, data or project materials where needed.
Interested in hosting?
Email your expression of interest to [email protected]
Questions?
Please email Dr Helen Nahrung or Jodie Winning, or visit our Contact us page.
How to apply
1. Project Development
- Review the FRI-FWPA PhD Internship Program Overview
- Discuss your interest with your supervisory team
- Formulate possible project ideas
- Connect with industry partners
- Approach potential internship hosts
2. Lodge your interest
- Submit an HDR Student Expression of Interest via Sonia Online
3. Finalise your project details
- Address the FRI-FWPA PhD Internship Program Selection Critera
- Complete and submit a HDR Internship Application via Sonia Online
- Submit your associated Selection Criteria to [email protected]
4. Approval and attendance
- Await outcome of application from FRI's selection committee
- If successful, the Graduate Research School coordinates the establishment of a collaborative research agreement (CRA) and internship scholarship stipend
- The Graduate Research School undertakes a host risk assessment (HRA) with industry partner
- Once CRA, HRA and stipend are established, internship can commence