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UROP Newsletter: July 2024

UROP in 2024 - Introducing a “compressed” work placement model

We are always looking at ways to improve and strengthen the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) as an integral platform for biomedical undergraduate student internships and to increase the number of student placements that can be offered each round.

We have evaluated the current UROP placement model with researchers and in consultation with them, we propose that along with the current UROP placement model, research institutions/supervisors can now choose a more "compressed" work placement.

Effective from 2024 round 2 UROP students working options include:

Summer placements:

  • Option 1a: Minimum four weeks full time during the student's upcoming summer vacation and 8h per week during Semester 1 2025 or
  • Option 1b: Minimum eight weeks full time during the student's upcoming summer vacation (November to February)

Winter placements:

  • Option 2a: Minimum two weeks full time during the student's winter vacation and 8h per week during Semester 2 or
  • Option 2b: Minimum four weeks full time during the student's winter vacation (June to July)

The working schedules will be discussed and agreed upon prior to placement confirmation. At the time of applying, both the supervisors and the students have the option to select which working model they are to be considered for.

Are you interested in shaping the next generation of biomedical scientists? Become a UROP Supervisor!

UROP is now calling for project submissions from Victorian biomedical researchers for round 2. This is a great opportunity for you to invest early in a potential honours student or two. The UROP team will be sure to custom match a student whose interests and experience align with your project/team requirements. UROP is also an opportunity for your team’s early and mid-career scientists and PhD students to practice and gain valuable supervisory experience. Supervisor applications are now open and if you are ready to host a UROP student, complete the online application here. We will be accepting applications until COB Friday 2 August for projects starting during the students’ 2024/2025 summer break.

Submit your project

Success stories

UROP students taking part in the Training Workshop in July
UROP students taking part in the Training Workshop in July

UROP 2024 round 1

The highly competitive recruitment process for UROP 2024 round 1 has now concluded and the seven successful students commenced their placements with biomedical research organisations/institutes across Victoria during their winter vacation.

Thank you to all the supervisors who submitted proposals and welcomed a UROP student to their research team, investing in the training of the next generation of biomedical scientists. We wish you and your student a rewarding and fulfilling experience throughout this placement.

Thank you to all the undergraduate students who applied for a placement this round and submitting high calibre applications. We received over 280 applications.

For those who did not get a placement this time, we wish you well and encourage you to continue looking for opportunities to support your aspirations.

UROP Student Training Workshop

The first of the post COVID UROP student training workshops titled “Why Human Connection is Key” was held on Wednesday 17 July at CSIRO, Clayton.

The full day workshop covered much needed crucial topics, including the importance of human connection, effective communication, networking & presentation skills and professional conduct in the workplace. The workshop provided UROP students with an invaluable face to face opportunity for cross organisational and cross disciplinary interactions with their own UROP cohort and other cohorts.

Real-Life Lab Experience

Enriching the educational journey

UROP student Joel Whitcher was placed at Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) for his UROP project.

Read Joel's story

For your diary

UROP rounds

  • Supervisor applications are open all year round and you can apply anytime. For placements starting during the upcoming summer vacation please apply by COB Friday 2 August.
  • 2024 round 2 student applications are now open and will close COB Friday 2 August.

2024 UROP Conference

  • Thursday 21 November 2024 at CSIRO, Clayton, Ian Wark theatre.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the modern form of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was largely developed during the 1950s by a team of Australian chemists at CSIRO? You can read about this invention that has since been labelled as one of the most significant achievements in chemical analysis last century.

Find out more

Contact us

QR code for the UROP website

Can't find what you're looking for? For further information about UROP please visit our website Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program - CSIRO, email us at UROP@csiro.au or scan the QR code.