HDR placements

HDR placements require planning and coordination. We recommend discussing your interest in undertaking a placement with your Principal Advisor as early as possible. From the time a Project Brief is submitted, candidates should allow at least 2–3 months before their intended placement start date to accommodate approvals and administrative requirements.

The GRS is available to support you throughout this process.

There are two types of HDR placements:

• Self-Sourced Placements - Most HDR candidates identify their own placement opportunity, often through their professional networks or the networks of their advisory team.
• Advertised Placements - Some placement opportunities are advertised and open to eligible HDR candidates. Any restrictions, including candidature level or residency requirements, will be clearly outlined in the advertisement.

HDR placements are intended to complement your research training and professional development. Placements may be undertaken at any stage of candidature, provided you remain actively enrolled and meet any relevant funding eligibility requirements. Where possible, candidates should aim to complete their placement well before thesis submission and, if receiving a stipend, at least one month before their stipend end date.

To participate in the HDR Placement Program, you must:

• Be enrolled as an Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidate at UQ.
• Be actively undertaking your candidature. Placements cannot be undertaken while on an approved interruption.

Funding opportunities

Eligible candidates may also be able to access additional funding through the HDR Placement Program. Available funding opportunities include:

• PhD Industry Placement Scholarship - for PhD candidates who commenced from 2022 onwards and are supported by a UQ funded living stipend.
• PhD Industry Placement Award - for PhD candidates who commenced from 2022 onward and are either supported by a non-UQ funded living stipend ior not receiving a living stipend.
• Career Development Scholarship - for PhD candidates who commenced before 2022 and are supported by a UQ funded living stipend.

To be eligible for these funding opportunities, candidates must:

• Be enrolled as a PhD candidate.
• Submit a completed Project Brief within the first 18 months full-time equivalent (FTE) of candidature. The Project Brief must include:
  • a project outline;
  • the proposed placement duration;
  • endorsement from your Principal Advisor; and
  • confirmation from the host organisation.
• Complete a placement of at least 60 working days.
• Meet any additional eligibility requirements outlined for the relevant scholarship or award.

Important: If you are receiving a stipend, your placement must be completed at least one month before your stipend end date. Candidates awarded a PhD Industry Placement Scholarship will receive a three-month stipend extension upon successful completion of their placement. This should be considered when negotiating placement dates with your host organisation.

Before starting your search, download the HDR Placement Organisation Cheat Sheet to help guide you through this process.

Choosing the right host organisation is a key step in arranging your placement. Most HDR candidates partner with organisations in industry, government, or the not-for-profit sector.

When identifying a host organisation:

• Speak with your advisor, who may be able to introduce you to potential hosts or industry contacts.
• Check whether the organisation already has a placement agreement in place with UQ. If not, a new agreement will need to be established, which may take time.
• Ensure the organisation holds appropriate levels of Public Liability insurance (and Professional Indemnity insurance where applicable).

Intellectual property (IP) arising from your placement will generally remain with the host organisation. The placement agreement will outline the relevant IP arrangements, which you will have the opportunity to review before accepting your placement.

Please note that clinical placements involving direct patient contact cannot be accommodated through the HDR Placement Program due to insurance limitations and regulatory requirements.

Host organisation requirements for the Industry Placement Scholarship and Award

To be eligible for the Industry Placement Scholarship or Industry Placement Award, your host organisation must meet the Australian Government's definition of a research end-user. You should confirm this early in your planning process to ensure eligibility for funding.

Past HDR placement hosts

You can also view examples of organisations that have successfully hosted UQ HDR candidates. These examples are provided for reference only and do not limit the types of organisations that may be suitable hosts.

The Project Brief is the key document used to assess and approve your HDR placement. It outlines the proposed placement activities, expected outcomes, and arrangements between you, your host organisation, and the University.

To prepare and submit your Project Brief:

• Co-design your placement project - Work with your host organisation to develop a placement project that provides meaningful professional experience and aligns with the objectives of the HDR Placement Program.
• Confirm alignment with placement outcomes - Ensure the proposed project supports the placement learning outcomes and complements your research training.
• Complete the Project Brief template - Use the approved Project Brief template to document the placement scope, activities, timelines, and expected outcomes.
• Submit your placement request - Upload the completed Project Brief as part of the HDR Placement Request in my.UQ.

Industry Placement Scholarship and Award Eligibility

To be eligible for a PhD Industry Placement Scholarship or PhD Industry Placement Award, you must submit a completed Project Brief within the first 18 months full-time equivalent (FTE) of your candidature. 

The Project Brief must include:

• a project outline;
• the proposed placement duration;
• confirmation from the host organisation; and
• endorsement from a member of your advisory team.