Master of Engineering by thesis

A Master's project at Paihau—Robinson Research Institute prepares you for industry with practical skills in cutting-edge research areas.

Do you hold an undergraduate Honours degree in Physics, Materials Science, or Engineering? Are you keen to develop practical engineering skills for a career in a high-value manufacturing industry?

If you’re interested in doing cutting-edge research and working alongside some of New Zealand’s top scientists and engineers, enrol in a Master of Engineering.

The Master of Engineering by thesis at Paihau—Robinson Research Institute is a one-year degree where you will develop a range of key industry-ready engineering skills while pursuing your own individually tailored research project.

Read about our graduates' experiences

Project areas

Each Master's project is set within our one of our core research areas, including:

Projects could include modelling and experimental testing of prototype ultra-high temperature furnaces, novel designs for high-current superconducting bus-bars, and testing of space propulsion thrusters.

Read our research staff profiles to find a potential supervisor and more information about potential project areas.

How to enrol

Students must discuss project details with a supervisor before applying for a Master of Engineering at Paihau.

Apply for a Master of Engineering by thesis through the University's application portal.

After you submit your application, let us know by email at rri-postgrad@vuw.ac.nz with the subject: 'Intention to study Master's by thesis'.

Scholarships

Paihau Master's projects are usually funded by a scholarship. Our currently available scholarships are listed below.

3D fluorescent optical memory for long-term data storage

Supervisor: Dr Shen Chong

We are developing ultra-high-density three-dimensional fluorescent optical memory for long-term data storage and preservation. This new approach to ultra-high-density memory involves defect- and band-engineering of wide band gap materials to create suitable carrier traps where the luminescence from trapped charges can be used to represent a stored bit.

For more information visit the scholarships page.

Comprehensive analysis of transformer-HTS interaction for precise flux pump design

Supervisor: Dr Adam Francis

HTS flux pumps offer a solution to wireless power supply for superconducting machines. This project will investigate how the turns ratio of small transformers with a copper primary winding and HTS secondary winding are affected by different variables. A testing rig will need to be created to deepen our understanding of transformer behaviour.

ME by thesis fees scholarship

We offer full fees scholarships for excellent students to study a Master of Engineering by thesis at Robinson Research Institute. These are available twice yearly for our February and July cohorts. Some projects may have an additional stipend scholarship available.

ME by thesis fees scholarship