Monash tops Australia with almost $15M in funding for three ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and Training Centres

Monash has been awarded a total of almost $15 million to establish two Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and one ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre.

Last week the Australian Research Council (ARC) awarded more than $64 million to fund a total of eight new ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres and five new ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs across Australia.

These training centres and research hubs provide crucial opportunities for collaborative partnerships between universities and industry to create innovative research products and benefits for the community.

Monash has received funding to establish a total of three training centres and research hubs – the most awarded out of all Australian institutions.

The leading researchers are:

  • Professor Andrea Robinson – ARC Training Centre for Radiochemical Technologies and Precision Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Professor Aibing Yu – ARC Research Hub for Smart Process Design and Control
  • Professor Lian Zhang – ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste

ARC Training Centre for Radiochemical Technologies and Precision Radiopharmaceuticals ($5 million)

This Training Centre will discover new molecular approaches to harness radioactivity and generate cutting-edge radiochemical technologies, while training the next generation of radiochemists. It aims to facilitate a highly-skilled workforce with enhanced commercial capacity to meet the rapid needs of the global radiopharmaceutical market.

ARC Research Hub for Smart Process Design and Control ($5 million)

This Hub will develop and apply advanced computational technologies to model and optimise complex multiphase processes by integrating novel multiscale and AI modelling approaches. It aims to produce simulation techniques, innovative technologies and support PhD students with international collaboration to create beneficial impacts for mineral and metallurgical industries.

ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste ($4.96 million)

This Hub aims to significantly contribute to Australia’s National Waste Action Plan by 2030 by upcycling technologies to process underutilised carbon waste within Australia. It will achieve this through improving technology readiness levels for the exploitation of carbon waste from agriculture, tyres and plastics, as well as benefiting the job market in rural Australia.

The training centres and research hubs will provide mentoring and training for the next generation of Australian research professionals, including through Higher Degree by Research and Postdoctoral training.

National and international partner organisations from a range of industries will be involved with the research projects, including ANSTO, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Chemistry Australia and Baosteel Company. These collaborations aim to facilitate commercial opportunities integral for Australia’s economic growth.

Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said Monash has a strong reputation for partnering with industry to deliver research impact and innovation.

“This significant funding awarded to Monash researchers reflects the University’s strong commitment to partnering with industry for innovation to produce future benefits for the broader community.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rebekah Brown said the three Monash research projects awarded will provide innovative and novel approaches to solve pressing challenges for Australians.

“The ARC funding for two Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and one Industrial Transformation Training Centre will enable Monash to continue delivering beneficial research outcomes for the community while collaborating closely with industry. Congratulations to Professor Robinson, Professor Yu, Professor Zhang and their teams on this wonderful achievement.”