In a world where market-leading chemical companies have R&D budgets in the billions, there are excellent opportunities to put your chemistry skills to work in industry.

But where do you start? How about a graduate course where you spend most of your time working in industry – and getting paid to do it?

If you’re keen to work in industry-based research – perhaps engineering new-generation materials, perhaps bringing new pharmaceuticals to market – then get your career off to the best possible start with the Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry).

The core of this unique degree is a major industry-based research project, but you’ll also extend your chemistry skills, and cover commercially relevant topics including entrepreneurship, IP law and chemical regulations frameworks.

Working on real-world problems in industry

You’ll leave the course with a major research project to feature in your CV, and an enviable professional network.

In this supervised project, you'll develop your technical skills and your ability to evaluate and analyse data, while working within a chemical, materials, pharmaceutical or biotech company. Even better, you’ll receive a stipend in recognition of your work.

More than just technical know-how

You probably know that employers today are looking for more than just specialist technical skills. To round out your skill set, select from a range of high-level professional subjects, including business, scientific communication, modelling, programming and more.

Created in consultation with industry

We work with our industry networks and Chemistry Australia to build a course that will give you work-related skills for now and into the future, as we adapt our teaching to this constantly evolving discipline.

The Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry) is a 200-point course, made up of:

• An industry-based research project (150 points)
• Coursework core and elective subjects (50 points).

The research project will be conducted within industry laboratories, supervised by staff from the Faculty of Science and from the industry partner. You’ll produce a project proposal and a final research report/thesis, and deliver a seminar on your findings.

You’ll select your elective subjects from a wide range on offer, ranging from chemistry, business, statistics, modelling, ethics and scientific communication.

Example of previous industry projects include:

Year: 2020
Industry partner: Dulux Innovation Centre (Clayton)
Academic supervisor: Dr Georgina Such from the School of Chemistry
The project involved the synthesis and characterisation of novel paint additives. The goal was to reduce release of volatile organic compounds during drying to improve consumer desirability, and included the testing and evaluation of the experimental products in prototype coatings using industry standard methods.

Year: 2020
Industry partner: Qenos Technical Centre (Altona)
Academic supervisor: Professor Uta Wille from the School of Chemistry
The project involved understanding the behaviour of polymer stabilisers in real world applications. Analytical methodology was developed to measure the active and inactive forms of stabilisers in high-density polyethylene composites and products, post compounding and after they have been in service. Changes in molecular structure due to the chemistry of inactivation were investigated and used to inform the design of better stabilisers, leading to longer lasting products.

More research projects to come

With a Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry), you could forge a career in research-focused chemical, pharmaceutical or biotech companies, with a job title such as materials chemist, pharmaceutical chemist, biotechnologist, polymer chemist, organic chemist, nanotechnologist, inorganic chemist, process chemist, product manager, business development manager or patent attorney.

Technical and professional skills

On graduating from the course you’ll have a high-level education in chemistry, plus impressive research experience.

Additionally, you’ll have strong professional skills in:

• Commercialisation of science
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Collaborative teamwork
• Scientific communication, both written and oral
• Leadership.

Further study

At the end of the course, you’ll be well-placed to undertake a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in chemistry, if you choose.

To be considered for entry, you must have completed: An undergraduate degree in chemistry (or equivalent), with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75 per cent, or A qualification and

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.