Industry Research Program

Our Industry Research Program successfully recruited 29 highly skilled students to work on industry-led research projects at PhD or Masters levels.

Modelled on the National Industry PhD Program, the program was co-designed with industry to:

build broad and deep technical knowledge aligned to industry needs
drive job-ready skills of the future
promote university-industry collaboration
support research commercialisation.

PROGRAM FEATURES

Integrated academic-industry supervision – Candidates work with a joint academic-industry supervision team.
Generous support for talented researchers – Candidates receive a generous $50,000 per annum stipend (pro-rated for part-time students) co-funded by their industry sponsor and Defence Trailblazer.
Embedded workplace experience – Candidates undertake onsite placements with their industry sponsor throughout their study.
Flexibility for industry professionals – Industry professionals are enabled to undertake flexible full-time or part-time study while working.
Academic and professional development support – Candidates can access funding support to undertake academic and professional development opportunities including work placements with their industry sponsor.

Spotlight on QuantX Labs industry PhD student Lachlan Pointon

Adelaide University PhD student Lachlan Pointon is carrying out atomic and laser physics research in the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS). His Defence Trailblazer-supported industry PhD with QuantX Labs focuses on developing the next generation of portable rubidium optical atomic clocks.

“Development of the next version of portable optical atomic clocks is vital to Australia’s defence industry and critical infrastructure,” said Lachlan.

5 Mar 2026 Read More

Defence Trailblazer industry PhD student explores fresh path for quantum systems at Diraq

UNSW PhD student Richard Rademacher is applying his skills and Defence experience to the growing quantum computing industry. His PhD project with industry partner Diraq aims to expand knowledge of modelling and simulation of silicon spin qubit quantum computers.

17 Sep 2025 Read More

Case study: Strategic maritime planning tool for enhanced defensive hypersonics

Saab Australia and academic experts from the University of Adelaide and UNSW are developing a strategic planning tool for maritime defence to respond to advanced threats.
Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the planning and decision support tool is designed to enhance the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to conduct its operations, with a specific focus on optimising defensive postures against hypersonic threats.

5 Aug 2025 Read More

The Defence Trailblazer Industry Research Program is now closed. For further information, please contact workforce@dtb.solutions

If you are a company interested in sponsoring, or a PhD candidate or industry researcher interested in undertaking an industry-focused research project, please consider the National Industry PhD Program. The National Industry PhD Program supports PhD candidates to undertake industry-focused research projects and be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better translate university research into commercialisation outcomes. Upon completion, candidates will have the ability to work at the interface of research and industry, and across the sectors in future.

Companies and candidates can find out more about research higher degrees at the University of Adelaide and UNSW:
• Adelaide Graduate Research School
• UNSW Graduate Research School
• UNSW Australian Graduate School of Engineering (AGSE)