BHVI

The Institute’s postgraduate research programme offers potential candidates outstanding education and career opportunities.

• A wide range of research opportunities: The Institute welcomes students from a large number of disciplines and provides a range of research project opportunities. Senior researchers work with students to design research projects of value and interest.
• Excellent science and facilities: The Brien Holden Vision Institute is a premier research institution with an outstanding reputation in vision and eye care research and development. Students have access to state of the art equipment, computer facilities, clinical and laboratory research and expertise.
• A multidisciplinary and international research environment: Students have access to related research areas and information from the Institute’s collaborators, including national and international research organisations. Students have the opportunity to work with world experts in eye research and to work within cross-disciplinary projects to facilitate teamwork, collaboration and project management skills.
• Interaction with industry: Students are exposed to all aspects of industrial work, including planning and review meetings, research presentations, the protection of IP and commercialisation strategies. Industry and other end-users are also involved in supervision and review panels and students with relevant projects are given the opportunity to work directly with industry in their research.
• Quality supervision: Senior researchers act as student mentors and supervisors are provided with training to ensure supervision standards remain high.
• Training: Training for students is available in research design, project management, scientific writing and statistics. New students undergo needs assessment upon enrolment, and a modular induction programme has been established which includes practical modules such as laboratory safety, radiation, animal handling, basic laboratory techniques and basic microbiology. The Institute makes a particular effort to ensure that students are well trained in the management of IP and the commercial opportunities arising from research.
• National and international conferences: The Institute supports a high level of student involvement in conferences as an important component of research training and career development. Students are funded to attend at least one international and national conference during their enrolment and are encouraged to apply for travel grants to attend additional meetings.
• Ongoing review and support: All students are reviewed annually to monitor their progress and stimulate the development of skills and opportunities. The Postgraduate Review Week includes research and career training. In 2008 this included 60 hours of seminars, tutorials and workshops on relevant issues such as project planning, writing a scientific paper, applying for grants and managing and protecting intellectual property.
• Scholarships: The Institute has a range of scholarships available for students and can assist with scholarship applications.
• Excellent career prospects: Graduates have been highly sought after in the national and international research, education and industry communities.