Study with us
Find out how postgraduate study with the world-class Ferrier Research Institute could accelerate your chemistry career.
Complete postgraduate study at the Ferrier Institute through a Master of Drug Discovery and Development or as a PhD candidate.
As a Ferrier Research Institute postgraduate student you'll have the opportunity to work in laboratories alongside professional scientists with decades of experience in carbohydrate and organic chemistry, and benefit from our close links with business that span a range of commercial industries.
The Ferrier team is a team of organic, chemical-biology, carbohydrate, analytical and development scientists at Victoria University of Wellington. The group completes contract synthesis, de novo drug discovery, postgraduate student mentoring and work in partnership with Glycosyn, who provide scaled-up chemical manufacturing. Research at the Ferrier provides a unique opportunity to work alongside a large group of highly-skilled, practical scientists working on a diverse range of research and development projects.
With a long track record of research projects supported by government and industry you can be confident your study and qualification will valued by prospective employers and is supported by leading researchers.
Master of Drug Discovery and Development
Help bring new drugs and therapeutics to support human and animal health. The Master of Drug Discovery and Development offers capable students the opportunity to gain a Master degree in one year of full-time study.
Attend lectures, tutorials, interactive seminars, and complete assignments, as you gain the skills required for employment in this exciting and fast-growing industry. Graduates have been employed into research organisations, government agencies, and companies involved with discovery, regulation, manufacture and commercialisation of therapeutics – both animal and human.
PhD study
PhD students often come to us to undertake a funded project based around our existing applied and fundamental research programmes. These projects contribute research to our impact areas and can ultimately lead to real commercial products and processes.".
There is also flexibility to pursue your own research interests and bring a research project of your own to the Institute. If you're considering this, contact us as early as possible to discuss your proposed topic and to organise appropriate supervision. While this option is not typically funded by the Institute, it is possible to get financial support for your research by applying for Victoria University of Wellington scholarships.
Supervision
Research scientists at the Ferrier Research Institute and collaborating organisations provide the supervision for post-graduate students. Co-supervisors may be from Victoria University of Wellington, other universities in Australasia, or Institutes such as the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research or other relevant collaborating organisations.
Research projects
Check our Expertise and Impact areas for project ideas and contacts. Also check our scholarships page for projects we have funding for.
Visiting students
You don't have to be enrolled with us to study here. Students enrolled in postgraduate research degrees, here or abroad, are invited to apply to spend 3–12 months working at the Ferrier Research Institute as part of our visiting student programme.
Find out more
Contact Dr Alison Daines, postgraduate coordinator at the Ferrier Research Institute, to apply and for all enquiries.
