Welcome to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Monash University

Materials are the key enabler in every technology, whether it be a lighter metal alloy used in an aeroplane, a ceramic that improves solar panels, or a biomaterial that treats cancer. Materials Engineers get the chance to work in several fields that may otherwise seem unrelated. Careers that feature working on a major construction project, then to healthcare and finally even in a new start-up company are common, because disparate areas are drawn together by their common requirement – skills in materials science and engineering.

For our undergraduate students, it is a great time to be joining us here in MSE. Presently, Australia has a significant shortage of trained materials engineers, with reports from the Australian Department of Infrastructure indicating that Materials has the greatest skill shortage of all the Engineering disciplines. At the end of their degree, they will have developed skills in a field where they will be highly sought after by employers, and we often see our students with job offers before the finish of their degree.

Our postgraduate students benefit from immersing themselves in one of the highest performing research cultures in the country. Our interests span the whole materials field - with expertise in metals and alloys, biomaterials and tissue engineering, nanomaterials, porous materials, graphene, quantum materials, polymers, ceramics, composites, corrosion, 3D printing, advanced materials characterisation and materials modelling. There is a proud history of our masters and PhD graduates having stellar publication records and wonderful careers in industry, government, academia, and increasingly, by starting their own companies.

The key growth industries in Australia are centred on materials discoveries, be it green energy, sustainability, healthcare, or defence. We are proud in MSE to work very closely with industry to help them solve problems and bring the benefits of materials discoveries to the general public.

Increasingly our own people have been able to start their own companies to translate their discoveries, meaning that we know how to work well with investors. Amaero, Additive Assurance, Kite Magnetics, MonSol and Ghove Energy are just a few of the companies we have been proud to see making our research discoveries real.

So, if you are interested in studying, collaborating or investing with us, please get in touch.

Best wishes,

Professor Matthew Hill GAICD PSM
Head of Department