MUM Graduate Research Internship

Are you looking to stay connected with the industry while pursuing your PhD?

Monash University Malaysia Graduate Research Office (MUMGRO) has introduced a new opportunity for students to engage in short-term research projects with industry partners (research end-user), known as the Research Internship. A research internship is defined as a position with a research end-user where a student has undertaken research and development (R&D) related to their higher degree by research (HDR). It is not work experience, but rather research activities.

The Research Internship aims to give graduate research students practical experience in both research and industry settings. It focuses on developing essential skills, promoting collaboration, and enhancing professional growth. Through this internship, you will have the opportunity to apply your expertise to real-world challenges, expand your professional network, and explore potential career pathways—all while making progress on your PhD.

Let's unpack the research internship!

Who is a Research End User?
What Kind of Research Activities are Involved?
How to Establish Relevance to Your Degree
What Constitutes a Research Internship?

A research end-user is defined as an individual, community or organisation external to academia that will directly use or directly benefit from the output, outcome or results of the research. Examples include

businesses
governments
non-governmental organisations, communities and community organisations.

Specific exclusions: other Universities and organisations that are affiliates, controlled entities or subsidiaries (such as Medical Research Institutes) of Universities.

In principle, research activities must involve R&D tasks with clearly defined objectives and outcomes.

Examples of research tasks include:

Designing, building, and/or testing a product or solution
Collating and analyzing data
Conducting systematic reviews

Examples of research outcomes include:

reports leading to recommendations to support solution development /change to policy or business practice
creation of a new/improved product/design/system.

The project must be related to your degree. This can take the following forms:

It relates to your area of research
It utilises the research skills and experience you are gaining during your PhD
The research skills or experience will benefit your research or research area

intern

Application Process

Interested in taking up an internship? Review these items to ensure you meet all eligibility criteria and general requirements.
- Active Enrollment: Currently enrolled graduate research student and must remain enrolled throughout the period of the internship (not undertaking any approved leave of absence).
- Internship to Commence: It is recommended to arrange and secure a research internship within 18 months of the enrolment commencement for full-time students, or 36 months for students enrolled on a part-time basis. It is highly recommended that students commence their internship after the Confirmation milestone.
- Internship to End: The internship will be completed prior to thesis submission and within the student’s maximum candidature period.
- Internship Duration:The research internship should be a minimum of 3 months in duration, which consists of a minimum of 60 working days (full-time equivalent).
- Supervisor Support: Students must consult and obtain support from their supervisor prior to applying for the research internship.
- Relevance: The research internship must be related to the student’s research project.
Terms and conditions apply to an international research internships that require a PhD Mobility scheme.
An agreement between the university and the research end-user must be signed before your internship starts. The document will be provided once you indicate your interest.
If further information is required consult MUMGRO via MUMGRO Helpdesk or walk-in consultation at Student Hub
It is important to discuss the following with your supervisor as early as possible in your candidacy:
- Your intention to pursue an internship.
- How will the research internship complement your research project?
- The appropriate time frame within your candidacy to undertake the internship.
You will need in-principle support from your Monash main supervisor before securing one. A guide for supervisor is accessible on the intranet (only staff can access).
Finding a great internship opportunity can be a time-consuming process. You can find both local and international internship opportunities. Here are some tips to help you.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) form is designed to support your research internship journey, starting from the point when you have a potential research end-user who can offer you a research internship position. This process ensures a smoother experience throughout your internship.
Upon submitting the EOI, you will receive the following documents:
- Graduate Research Internship Agreement
- Schedule 1: Student Research Internship Details Form
- Schedule 2: Student Declaration
The student will need to complete all of the above documents in consultation with their Monash main supervisor. MUMGRO will coordinate the review and signing process.
NOTE: If you need funding support for an international internship, you may apply for a PhD Global Mobility scheme.
Once you have successfully secured an internship and obtained the signed agreement and necessary paperwork, you will need to submit an application to vary your enrollment (see below) in order to begin the internship.
You must include all relevant documents with your application:
- Executed written paperwork and agreement (signed by Student, Supervisor, Industry and Head of School)
- Ethics approval (if applicable)
Please remember to submit your application at least six weeks before the internship's start date via the Research Internships online form. Make sure to attach all the documents mentioned above. The submitted online form will go through the approval process as below:
1. First approver - Main supervisor
2. School level approver - Graduate Research Director (GRD)
3. Final approver - Monash Graduate Research Office (MGRO)
The student will receive an email from the Monash Graduate Research Office confirming their internship has been approved and processed.
It's time to prepare yourself, especially when logistical arrangements are involved.
Please keep yourself connected with your main supervisor and maintain regular check-ins.
Upon completion of the internship, the student must complete the Return from Internship form to confirm their return to study. The student will be asked to confirm details on the dates, duration and total number of contact days. The student will be required to upload a summary of the tasks undertaken and learning outcomes.
We would also like to hear any feedback you have on your experience as a research intern.
We highly recommend keeping in touch with your industry mentor after the internship has concluded.
Students can access this document for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Research Internship I am ready! Submit an EOI.

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