Applications now open for DPI NSW’s Biosecurity Summer Internship Program

September 1, 2022

The Crawford Fund’s NSW Committee is pleased to again be working in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to provide an opportunity for NSW university students to undertake a six-week plant biosecurity summer internship in January 2023 in plant health, biosecurity, and diagnostics.

“This Biosecurity Summer Internship Program offers real world biosecurity and plant health science experience, a chance to work on real projects alongside lead scientists and researchers at NSW DPI,” said Dr Helen Scott-Orr, the Fund’s NSW Coordinator and former inaugural Commonwealth of Australia Inspector General of Biosecurity.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate students from NSW universities to get experience and training in surveillance, diagnostics, research, and emergency response operations as well as an understanding of policy, market access and stakeholder engagement.”

“The relationship between the Crawford Fund and the NSW Department of Primary Industries is particularly strong, with a number of on-going projects in SE Asia focused on plant and animal biosecurity, the diagnosis of plant diseases, pests and weeds, the development of appropriate control programs, and improving crop production systems.”

“The benefits of these projects flow both to farmers and their families in the developing countries and in NSW. Contributing our expertise to strengthen plant biosecurity in South East Asia reduces the likelihood that exotic threats will make it to NSW; and better prepares our scientists to detect and identify exotic threats if they do make it here,” Helen explained.

The interns will:

• Work with biosecurity experts and renowned researchers on real world biosecurity activities and research projects.
• Develop and improve your laboratory and research skills, communication, project and time management, and critical analysis.
• Build your professional network with NSW Department of Primary Industries, including Plant Biosecurity Research and Development and Product Integrity.
• Discover career path opportunities in government research and scientific services.

The program is being run across two DPI research institutes:

• Jan 09 – 27 at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Sydney
• Jan 30 – Feb 17 at Orange Agricultural Institute

To be eligible to apply, you:

• An enrolled undergraduate student enrolled in a NSW university
• Must have completed at least 96 credit points (or equivalent) at the time of application
• have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75 (or equivalent) in your degree.

Full details are here. Applications, via an online form, close Friday 14 October 2022.