Work with UTS and an industry organisation to solve a real-world challenge during your PhD
The Industry Doctorate Program (IDP) is a collaborative research project between an industry partner, a PhD candidate, and UTS.
During the IDP you’ll work closely with a panel of UTS academic supervisors and have access to UTS’s facilities and support. You’ll also be immersed in your industry partner’s organisation and work with industry supervisor(s) who want to apply your research as it’s produced.
The program will help you cultivate the expertise and deep innovative capabilities to become an industry leader.
IDP-trained researchers learn to scan horizons for future disruptions, create evidence-driven solutions, and build competitive advantage in their sector. From robotics to data to social change, the IDP prepares organisations and professionals for the future by delivering new solutions to challenging problems.
About you
Undertaking research training through the IDP helps you future proof yourself as a leader in your field.
You may be interested in an IDP if you’re:
- looking to conduct research as part of your existing job
- tackling an industry problem that an organisation has an interest in, or
- keen to apply your research in real-time.
You’ll have the opportunity to gain:
- deep expertise and specialised knowledge, built on your existing experience
- world-class research skills and leading-edge innovation capabilities
- the opportunity to address a real-world problem that’s meaningful to your industry
- mentoring from global experts
- full access to all UTS graduate research facilities and resources, and
- an internationally recognised, prestigious qualification.
There’s no limit to the type of partner organisation you can have. Many will benefit from your expert skills, innovation and evidence-driven change.
Explore an Industry PhD.
Research structure
Research topic: Your industry partner defines the research problem. You’ll be the primary researcher on the problem, supported by the academic rigor of our expert supervisors.
Timeframe: 3-4 years
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Outputs: Your project deliverables will be agreed with your partner organisation, supervisors and faculty. It doesn’t need to be a stand-alone thesis, it could be a practice-led output that sits alongside a written analysis.
Cohorts: You may work on a problem as an individual, or as a research team (cohort). A cohort allows the organisation to develop a team approach to the problem space, deepen in-house expertise, and ensure innovations have sustainable internal support.
Your IDP checklist
Check your eligibility
Check the eligibility criteria for a PhD.
Check your funding
Generally, IDP partner organisations fund your research, but you’ll need to check this with them.
Pre-approval process
Seek pre-approval from your potential faculty and industry partner
Find a supervisor
Find industry organisations and supervisors with similar research interests to you.
Gather your documentation
Gather and prepare the relevant documents for your application
Additional funding for IDP students
Discover how IDP students can access funding to enhance research skills and networks.
Submit your application
You can apply for the IDP at any time.
Read more about the IDP
See how we work with you to transform your research into a structured PhD program.
“As an embedded PhD, you can identify industry issues which affect how you work. You understand all the nuances that can help ensure that your research has an impact.”