{"id":32302,"date":"2026-10-07T12:11:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T04:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=oasis-news&#038;p=32302"},"modified":"2026-10-07T13:33:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T05:33:27","slug":"get-paid-to-do-real-research","status":"publish","type":"oasis-news","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/oasis-news\/get-paid-to-do-real-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Get paid to do real research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Reading time: 5 minutes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why research experience is worth your time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>A degree teaches you what is already known. Research teaches you how to discover<br>something nobody knows yet. Spending eight weeks inside a working research group is one<br>of the most valuable things you can do as an undergraduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>You will learn to turn a research question into a plan to test it, work with real data and its<br>imperfections, and talk about your findings with researchers. Students who have done this<br>consistently tell us it changed how they think about their degree, and it is exactly the<br>experience that makes an application for honours or a higher degree by research stand out.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will also be paid $4,000 for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><style>.kb-table-container32302_6b4618-21{overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table32302_6b4618-21 th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table32302_6b4618-21 caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table32302_6b4618-21 td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:left;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container32302_6b4618-21 wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table32302_6b4618-21\">\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_fc18fe-2d\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_13cdeb-b6\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Length<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_22182e-b9\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A total of eight weeks<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_fa1e20-73\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_aa4c2f-01\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Timing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_79cae9-dd\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the summer period at mutually acceptable dates,<br>for a total of eight weeks, which can be non-consecutive,<br>i.e. with a break.<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_6985ca-2a\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_cef771-09\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Payment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_fca637-24\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two payments of $2,000, i.e. $4,000, paid directly to you<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_e6b925-cb\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_7484b2-4c\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who can apply<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_660fd7-5d\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second-year students that by the summer are likely to<br>have completed 400 credits, with a course weighted<br>average of 65. High-performing students at other stages of<br>their undergraduate studies, including first- and third-year<br>students with an interest in research, Honours or HDR<br>pathways can also be considered.<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_a146d5-b8\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_57118b-75\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How you apply<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_a68697-1e\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Browse the projects, then email the academic running the<br>few that interest you most<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_fc5414-b8\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_c7e7b7-06\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Places<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_991a3c-82\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">100 places will be offered. As soon as you and the<br>supervisor agree to proceed and the supervisor lets us<br>know, the place is yours.<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_325117-df\">\n\n\n\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eligibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>You can apply if you are currently a Curtin second-year student and are likely to have<br>completed 400 credits by the end of 2026, and you currently have a course weighted<br>average of 65 or above. No prior research experience is expected: supervisors are looking<br>for curiosity, reliability and genuine interest in the topic, not a track record. If you don\u2019t fit this<br>eligibility requirement you can ask the supervisor and see what they say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Projects are available across every discipline, so browse widely. Some will be close to your<br>own major; others may open a direction you had not considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s involved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Every project is different, but each one is built around the same core: a clear problem, a<br>research question to test, techniques to learn, and a result to work towards. Over the eight<br>weeks you can expect to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>\u2022 work alongside your supervisor and their research group on a defined piece of work<br>\u2022 learn and use the specific techniques, instruments or analytical methods the project<br>requires<br>\u2022 collect, handle and interpret data, and understand why the method matters.<br>\u2022 contribute to a real research outcome, and be able to explain it to someone else at the<br>end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>This is a paid placement rather than a full-time job, so you and your supervisor will agree a<br>clear pattern of work and a realistic set of tasks before you begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to apply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Step 1: Browse the projects<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/higher-degree-by-research\/higher-degree-by-research-project-opportunities\/?hdr_types=undergraduate-research-experience\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/higher-degree-by-research\/higher-degree-by-research-project-opportunities\/?hdr_types=undergraduate-research-experience\">Go to the project catalogue<\/a><\/strong>, ensuring that the project type is set to \u201cUndergraduate<br>Student Experience\u201d and search or browse what\u2019s available.<br>Each listing includes the problem being investigated, the hypothesis, the techniques you will<br>learn, the outcome anticipated and the supervisor&#8217;s contact details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Step 2: Pick two or three that genuinely interest you<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Choose on the basis of the question and the skills you will gain. Research the topic online<br>before you make contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Step 3: Email the academic directly<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>There is no central application form \u2013 you contact the supervisor yourself. In a short,<br>professional email, include: your name, student ID, degree and year; which project you are<br>writing about; why that project interests you; any relevant units, skills or experience; and<br>your availability across the eight weeks. Attach a brief CV and your academic record if you<br>have them ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Step 4: Talk it through<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Supervisors will usually invite you to meet or speak before deciding. Come with questions:<br>what would my weeks look like, what will I learn, where will I be based, what does success<br>look like at the end? This conversation is the selection process: treat it as you would an<br>interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Step 5: Get confirmed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>If the supervisor offers you the placement, they will confirm it with the program administrator<br>and your position is locked in. Places are filled in the order they are confirmed and there are<br>only 100, so do not sit on a project you are excited about. You will need to provide your bank<br>details for payment at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Get paid<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>You are paid in weekly instalments. Your supervisor confirms your attendance and<br>engagement at both points, so turn up, communicate, and let them know early if something<br>gets in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Expressing your interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>\u2022 Describe to the supervisor what drew you to the project.<br>\u2022 Be honest about what you do and do not know. Nobody expects a second-year student<br>to have done research before.<br>\u2022 Be reliable from the first email: reply promptly, arrive on time, and follow through on what<br>you agree.<br>\u2022 Apply early. Places are confirmed in order until all 100 are taken<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><style>.kb-table-container32302_a78b2d-1a{overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table32302_a78b2d-1a th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table32302_a78b2d-1a caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table32302_a78b2d-1a td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:left;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container32302_a78b2d-1a wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table32302_a78b2d-1a\">\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_2d8b5e-42\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_568e34-5b\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Projects published on the website<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_ee2969-bc\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7 October<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_4d2a68-36\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_eb8ee4-b6\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contact supervisors from<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_e4cf73-c0\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7 October<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_ceb92c-f5\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_723c63-c4\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Placements confirmed (or until 100 filled)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_33e799-55\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 7 October<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_324fdd-47\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_af739b-13\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Placements can begin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_c65b39-ee\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 16 November, or after at a mutually<br>agreed time<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row32302_2d178d-74\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_2a079b-19\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Placements finish<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data32302_a9f27d-da\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By 26 February, or before if 8-week<br>studentship completed<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact Caroline Albury at <a href=\"mailto:EA-DVCR@curtin.edu.au\">EA-DVCR@curtin.edu.au<\/a><br><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Undergraduate Research Experience Program is offering 100 paid,<br \/>\neight-week placements for second-year students across the summer of<br \/>\n2026\/27. | Reading time: 5 min.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4492,"featured_media":32442,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"8269,8274,7252,6193,15133,27835","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","wds_primary_oasis-categories":0,"footnotes":""},"oasis-categories":[142],"class_list":["post-32302","oasis-news","type-oasis-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","oasis-categories-opportunities"],"acf":{"post_options":{"":null,"banner":{"image":false}}},"featured_image":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Oasis-45-1000x500.png","author_meta":{"first_name":"Rachel","last_name":"Pratt","display_name":"Rachel Pratt"},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":true,"date":"2026-12-07 04:01:58","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"oasis-categories","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oasis-news\/32302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oasis-news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/oasis-news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4492"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oasis-news\/32302\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"oasis-categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oasis-categories?post=32302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}