New PhD Program in South Australia to Advance Biomanufacturing Industry Skills and Capabilities

22 February 2023

Pictured: MTPConnect's AIP Director Jo Close with PhD student Thabata Muta and SA Deputy Premier Susan Close touring BioCina's labs for the launch of the Biomanufacturing industry doctoral training centre pHD+ program.

South Australia is leading the way with the establishment of Australia’s first Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) PhD Plus program, building the State’s capacity and connections in biomanufacturing.

MTPConnect, through its Adelaide Intermediary Program (AIP), will deliver the biomanufacturing stream of the PhD Plus program conducted in the innovation district, Adelaide BioMed City.

Up to 15 students will undertake the inaugural PhD Plus training program in biomanufacturing which started in early 2023. The program runs in conjunction with a four-year PhD commitment where students undertake real-time health and life sciences research projects jointly supervised by academic and industry leaders.

On completion, graduates will be highly competitive in the market, equipped with broad knowledge of biomanufacturing principles, industry-ready skills required to drive innovation and agile leadership capability to support future-focused biotech organisations. Most importantly, the Program will build the capacity of South Australia’s Health Medical and Innovation (HMI) ecosystem by fostering a collaborative culture and sharing of best practice in a key global growth area.

The IDTC is a key component of the Government of South Australia’s EXCITE strategy, led by the Chief Scientist of South Australia, Prof Caroline McMillen and is delivered in partnership with South Australia’s three public universities, The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. The concept is based on the UK Centres of Doctoral Training model.

“Having seen how successful IDTCs are overseas, we are delighted to work with colleagues across universities, industry and government to deliver this initiative. This is a key step in building strong collaborations between our next generation of research leaders and those priority industry sectors,” said Professor Caroline McMillen.

MTPConnect’s Director of Stakeholder Engagement SA and AIP, Jo Close said more than 10 companies in the industry have got behind the program to help deliver the biomanufacturing stream.

“The biomanufacturing component centres on collaborative engagement between researchers and industry, and a strategic curriculum consisting of bi-monthly sessions featuring guest presenters, site visits, project pitches, reflections and challenges. In addition, students will benefit from industry connections, engagement in AIP activities, such as involvement in regular networking events, roundtables and national training activities,” said Ms Close.

In addition to covering topics surrounding biomanufacturing innovations, the themes of the program will also cover the state of the industry, principles of innovation and commercialisation, leadership and management strategies.

The companies committed to the inaugural cohort include:

• BioCina
• Treasury Wine Estates
• One Point One
• Peats Soil and Garden Supplies
• Nourish Ingredients
• CSL Ltd, Mass Dynamics
• Medtec Pharma
• The Hygiene Co
• Valo
• GPN Vaccines
  

Reach out to the Adelaide Intermediary Program team for further information.