Doing research with external organisations

You can find short placements in the Weekly HDR Bulletin e-newsletter, through APRIntern, or by browsing websites of organisations relevant to your research.

You and your supervisor can also set up a short placement through your professional networks and relationships.

It’s important to involve your supervisor in initial discussions with potential partners. Your supervisor will help ensure your placement complies with RMIT requirements.

Any industry engagement that contributes to your Higher Degree by Research must be endorsed by your supervisor.

Discuss possible placements with your RMIT supervisor before you engage with a partner.

Your supervisor will make sure the placement:

• fits into your program
• is articulated in your research plan
• is reviewed at each milestone review
• is covered by a formal written agreement that defines things like supervision, financial arrangements and intellectual property.

We recommend you complete the moderated online Research Plus modules related to workplace culture and career development, to help prepare for your industry engagement.

RMIT created these modules to help HDR candidates be work-ready and carry out the roles they have studied for.

Depending on your placement, you may be jointly supervised by both RMIT and external supervisors.

Clear communication with your RMIT supervisor and external supervisor or research partner is essential for a successful experience and strong industry partnerships into the future.

At the start of the placement:

• Meet with your RMIT supervisor and external supervisor to work out timelines and deliverables.

During the placement:

• Meet regularly with your RMIT supervisor to discuss your progress, seek feedback and check the placement is going to plan.
• Participate in three-way meetings with your RMIT supervisor and external supervisor to seek and provide feedback and to review timelines and deliverables.

It is common for candidates to create intellectual property during their industry engagement. Details of who owns this intellectual property must be negotiated before the placement starts and be included in a formal written agreement. You can read more about how IP is managed at RMIT on the Researcher Portal at Understanding Intellectual Property (IP).

You should only take leave of absence during your industry engagement in exceptional circumstances. 

Reasons for not taking leave of absence during industry engagement include:

• Candidates have a maximum leave of absence entitlement of 12 months during their candidature. Taking leave during an internship consumes leave you may later need due to illness or personal circumstances.
• International candidates on a student visa are not eligible to take a leave of absence for the purpose of undertaking an internship.
• Under the research scholarship terms and conditions candidates are not eligible for scholarship payment during leave taken for the purpose of undertaking an internship.

Contact SGR Strategy & Policy by emailing hdr.outreach@rmit.edu.au or submit an enquiry to Research Training Services for further advice on leave of absence.

Extensions of candidature will not be granted on the grounds that the candidate had undertaken a placement or other industry engagement.

Your candidature clock will continue to run while on an industry placement, and you must plan to manage your research progress accordingly.

You may wish to plan for your placement to occur during your examination period when you are still a current candidate but are waiting for your examination results.

If you are experiencing issues around progress or expectations which you have been unable to resolve through meetings with your supervisor and partner organisation, contact your HDR Delegated Authority or Research Training Services team for advice.

If you are concerned that the partner organisation is not fulfilling their commitments under the Student Partnership Agreement, contact your supervisor, HDR DA or the SGR Strategy & Policy team by emailing hdr.outreach@rmit.edu.au for support.

If you have experienced violence, sexual harm, concerning, unwanted, uncomfortable or threatening behaviour during your placement, contact RMIT's Safer Community team for support.

Resources and support provides other assistance for HDR candidates which may be helpful if things go wrong during an internship.

Industry engagement must be completed within the terms of your existing Confirmation of Enrolment and visa. 

Participating in industry engagement is not grounds for a visa extension.

If you wish to undertake industry engagement while your thesis is being examined, you must hold a valid visa for the duration of the industry engagement.  

Contact the Department of Home Affairs for advice on the impact of industry engagement on a student visa.