Innovative Science Intern Program
28 August 2014 at 3:36 pm
A new industry internship program is being launched by innovation Not for Profit veski and AMSI Intern as part of a new $700,000 Victorian Government initiative to allow more women to pursue and maintain careers in science.
The Inspiring Women Industry Internships features a suite of integrated initiatives including fellowships, internships with industry and a dedicated web portal.
Ten Inspiring Women Internships will be available to female honours and masters students in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math) and will be hosted by regional and metropolitan businesses that have an under-representation of women in STEM roles and are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, a skills shortage.
Supported by the Victorian Government’s Office of the Lead Scientist, the partnership will connect women honours and masters students — to foster high-end quantitative and analytical research expertise — with Victorian industry, Not for Profits and Government Agencies to address a research problem currently facing their organisations.
The program will also provide eligible Victorian SMEs, government agencies, large businesses and Not for Profits across all industry sectors with access to one of ten funding grants supported by the Victorian Government.
"The veski Inspiring Women program is action-focused and delivers a suite of integrated initiatives including fellowships, industry internships and a dedicated web portal as well as professional development and networking activities,” veski Chief Executive Officer, Julia Page said.
“The Inspiring Women Internships allow female students to transfer their skills from theory to real-world application, while companies and organisations gain a competitive advantage by accessing high-quality research expertise.
“As part of the program, veski will also deliver professional development and networking events to support women involved in the industry internships and ensure they are ‘job ready’.”
Research projects will be four months duration with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics), and all IP will remain with the organisation.
"Victorian industry and government will also gain access to, and benefit from, the specialist knowledge of the students’ academic mentor,” National Program Manager, AMSI Intern Cate Ballard said.
“These internships will not only provide career choice for female scientists, they will promote links between academia and industry and help meet the current and future skills needs of the state,” Victorian Government Lead Scientist, Leonie Walsh said.
Government agencies, SMEs and large business based in Victoria seeking more information can access full details, including eligibility criteria, online amsiintern.org.au/veski
Since 2004, veski has delivered fellowships, awards and international networks to inspire innovation across Australia and support outstanding scientists and leading researchers and their families.
The programs include five of Victoria’s most prestigious science and innovation awards: the veski innovation fellowships; the Premier’s Award for Health & Medical Research; the Victoria Prize for Science & Innovation and the Victoria Fellowships; and the Victorian Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.
AMSI Intern is a university and industry collaboration that connects business and other organisations to the vast research expertise in Australia’s universities.
