Study with us

A higher degree by research (HDR) gives you the opportunity to deeply explore a specific research question full-time over two years for a Master of Philosophy (M Phil) or three to four years for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (or part-time equivalent).  The Adelaide Research Degrees webpage provides information on degree structures and admission requirements.

If you have or will soon complete Honours or a Masters degree in a scientific field related to cancer research and you want to continue your research career, or you’re a clinician looking to add a research component to your skillset, a HDR with SAiGENCI might be for you. 

What we will offer – The SAiGENCI Graduate Program

The Institute will provide a unique training experience for its students including:

• Immersion in a community of Australia’s leading cancer researchers with access to world class facilities and technologies;
• Regular research forums and master classes from experts in the field;
• Workshops for developing research and data analytical skills as well as career development, including the University of Adelaide Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST) program;
• SAiGENCI supplementary scholarship of $5,000 per annum for 2 years (M Phil) or up to 3.5 years (PhD);
• Travel funding support for students to present their research at national and international conferences (up to $4,000 over the course of your degree);
• For those enrolled in a PhD, opportunity to participate in a paid 3-month industry internship with a partner organisation.

If you are a curious and passionate, high achieving individual who meets the University of Adelaide eligibility criteria and are committed to a two-year (M Phil) or three to four-year full-time (or equivalent) research project, we would like to hear from you!

Please review the HDR section of the 2025 SAiGENCI Student Research Opportunities booklet to learn more about eligibility, identifying a SAiGENCI supervisor and project, scholarships and application process.

Honours is a one-year qualification studied as an addition to an undergraduate degree.  Completing an Honours degree provides an opportunity to investigate an area of interest in greater detail whilst gaining hands on research experience.  To learn more about what is involved in an Honours degree, visit the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Honours page.

Students interested in an Honours research project should first get in touch with a supervisor, who undertakes research in an area of interest, to see if they have the capacity to take on an Honours student.  Please include a copy of your CV, academic transcript and a brief description of why you are interested in doing Honours with the supervisor/in the area of research you have chosen.  

Information on how to apply for Honours, including application deadlines, can be found on the University of Adelaide Honours page.

SAiGENCI Honours scholarships valued at $4,000 will be on offer to students undertaking an Honours project in a SAiGENCI research group.  Information on scholarship eligibility and how to apply can be found on the University of Adelaide Scholarships page.  Search using ‘honours’ in the Degree field and ‘Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences’ in the Available In field.  As a guide, scholarship applications typically close in late January each year.

Please note applying for entry to Honours and Honours scholarship applications are two separate processes.

Six week summer research placements are a great opportunity for current undergraduate students to get a taste of what it is like to work in a research environment.  These opportunities are open to University of Adelaide students and those currently enrolled at other Australian universities.

Students interested in a summer research placement should first get in touch with a supervisor, who works on a project of interest, to see if they have the capacity to host a student for six weeks over the summer semester.  Please include a copy of your CV, academic transcript and a brief description of why you are interested in doing a summer research placement with the supervisor/in the area of research you have chosen.  

Students can then apply for an Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship, with successful students receiving a one-off payment of $1,500.

As a guide, applications open around July and close in September each year.  Please refer to the Adelaide Summer Research Scholarships website for current dates, full eligibility and application information.