In Program 3, we’ll be integrating our research projects with placements to provide students and postdocs with experience working first-hand in plant biosecurity.
This approach, coupled with entrepreneurship training, will develop new innovators with a mindset for research translation and industry transformation.
Community building, networking, and fostering novel collaborations will be a key aspect of our Centre.
– Program Leader, Deputy Director Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi
Details
Plant biosecurity in Australia is a shared responsibility undertaken by a highly networked ecosystem of stakeholders, governments, and industry partners.
The Centre has 27 partner organisations that span the breadth of the sector and promise to facilitate a strengthened collaborative national network on plant biosecurity.
Placements
We will facilitate the development of “job-ready” graduates that are networked across multiple partner organisations. Students and early career researchers will be placed in partner organisation to gain in-depth understanding of working principles and how their research can lead to impact for end-users.
Each student and early career researcher funded by the Centre will have a minimum of 12 months placed within a partner organisation or several organisations. This time might be taken in a single chunk or in multiple experiences. For example, a student might spend a month with Plant Health Australia, attend fortnightly team meetings with DAFF, and undertake fieldwork in Burdekin Productivity Services several times. Or a student might be primarily based at CSIRO and only attend campus occasionally.
The Training Centre has budget set aside to cover travel costs for placements. In the first six-months of enrolment, students will create a placement plan with their university supervisors and relevant partners that meets their needs and interests and will support the project. These placements are a fantastic opportunity to explore future career options, build networks and gain skills for employment.
Translating research outcomes
We will equip trainees with skills to translate research into real-world applications with the industry end-users involved in the innovation and translation process. This will be facilitated by our Research-to-Impact translation course.
The Centre will work with partners to integrate and expand existing programs such as CSIRO’s ON, Startup Onramp, or Farmers2Founders unique 5-step program, which is tailored toward agrifood startups.
Centre Forums
Our annual Centre Forums bring together students, postdocs, partners and academics to share project updates and generate new ideas. Where possible, we hold them alongside major conferences, such as the PBRI Symposium.