Funds bring PhD skills to SME manufacturing

The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) have joined to reduce costs for SMEs accessing technology and digitilsation skills.

The two will fund 23 skilled PhDs with manufacturing SMEs and larger companies to apply their specialist expertise to drive advanced and digital manufacturing and optimisation solutions.

Industry partners will attract a rebate under AMSI’s APR.Intern programme on project costs after IMCRC funding support up to $13,000.

IMCRC CEO and Managing Director, David Chuter said the PhD internships would play an important role upskilling the sector to respond to challenges of new technologies and smarter ways of working.

“The APR.Intern programme will allow companies, especially SMEs, to cost-effectively tap into manufacturing talent with unique skillsets across automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing and augmented reality,” he said.

The funding is part of the federal government’s $28.2 million Supporting more women in STEM careers policy.

AMSI Director, Professor Tim Brown welcomed the commitment to enhance PhD preparedness to engage with industry.

“We are excited to open this powerful platform for Australian universities to complement specialist PhD training with industry experience while delivering manufacturing innovation solutions.”

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