Find a supervisor

Take your research further with our Honours, Masters and PhD research options. Find out what kinds of research projects you can join when you study with us.

Do you want to add a year of Honours research to your Bachelor degree or launch your academic career by studying a Masters or PhD?

Research in our school covers an exciting mix of:

  • Fundamental research that investigates how organisms, microbiology, food and ecosystems function
  • More applied research with practical and management outcomes in mind
  • Social research into the human element of ecosystems, agriculture, technology and business.

See what our researchers are working on

Research projects seeking students

The University's Graduate Research Opportunity Tool is a directory of PhD and Masters by Research projects that are currently seeking students – search by course, field of research or location to find a research project that you're excited to join.

Explore all research opportunities

Frequently asked questions

  • When you find a project in a research area that interests you, contact potential supervisors and discuss projects on offer or tell them about potential project ideas that you may have. When you email a potential supervisor, include a transcript of your academic record.

    Most supervisors only take on one or two students per year, so our intake is competitive and places are limited.

  • If you and your potential supervisor are both excited about joining the project, then you're ready to take the next step. For certain courses, that may be to make an application on the Study website; your potential supervisor will be able to guide you.

    For other courses, you may need to fill out one of the project approval forms below:

    Bachelor of Science (Honours) form (DOCX 2.7 MB)
    25 or 50-point research project form (DOCX 71.4 KB)

    Tip: Make sure to include the completed form in your application, and – to speed up the admission process – have the supervisor(s) sign the form before you submit it.

  • Some potential supervisors may not be able to make a commitment when you contact them. You may therefore include several potential supervisors. Supervisors may also offer a project that commences mid-year (Semester 2) or start-year (Semester 1) according to fieldwork requirements, plant growth, animal life cycles, or simply aligned project timing.

  • 25-point and 50-point research projects
    Professor Patrick Lane and Dr Pangzhen Zhang (Agricultural and Food Science)

    Master of Urban Horticulture Coordinator
    Mr John Rayner

    Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation Coordinator
    Dr Antanas Spokevicius

    SEFS Honours Coordinator 
    Dr Matt Burns

    Academic Support Office
    safes-aso@unimelb.edu.au