Our Research
World-class research. Discoveries of global significance.
The Faculty of Sciences is a synergy of four research intensive schools; thriving research centres and groups; and strong cross-institutional collaborations.
Our world-renowned scientists are critical thinkers and experts in their fields. Our researchers link with experts in industry, government and international institutions to solve real-world problems. They are driven by a passion to find answers, and to discover new ways to make our world a smarter, safer and a more sustainable place.
From understanding disease and tackling environmental challenges, to advancing technology and mapping distant galaxies; our teaching is informed by our cutting-edge research.
Our campuses are home to a number of co-located industry partners, affiliated researchers and research institutes of international significance. This close proximity offers a unique opportunity for our students to gain practical and theoretical knowledge through dynamic national and international research projects.
Join us, as we make (gravitational) waves through the world of science.
Career and study options
Higher degrees by research Honours in Science Summer Research Scholarships
Research fields
Research institutes and centres
Research institutes
- Environment Institute
- Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing
- Waite Research Institute
ARC Centres of Excellence (COE)
- ARC CoE for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- ARC CoE for Particle Physics at the Terascale (CoEPP)
- ARC CoE in Plant Cell Walls
- ARC CoE in Plant Energy Biology
Cooperative Research Centres (CRC)
Research centres
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Gravitational Wave Discovery - OzGrav
- ARC Research HARCub for Legumes in Sustainable Agriculture
- ARC Research Hub for Wheat in a Hot and Dry Climate
- ARC Special Research Centre for the Subatomic Structure of Matter - CSSM
- ARC Training Centre in Innovative Wine Production
- Australia-China Joint Research Centre on Grains for Health
- Australian Bioactive Compounds Centre
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA - ACAD
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity - ACEBB
- Australian Plant Phenomics Facility and The Plant Accelerator®
- Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials - CAN
- Centre for Applied Conservation Science
- Centre for Complex Systems and the Structure of Matter - C2SSM
- Centre for Energy Technology
- Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration - TRaX
- Fertiliser Technology Research Centre
- FoodPlus Research Centre
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases - RCID
- South Australian Centre for Geothermal Energy Research
- Sprigg Geobiology Centre
- Water Research Centre - WRC
Science research news
Undersold: Climate change threats much greater than reports
A new study has revealed that the language used by the global climate change watchdog, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is overly conservative.
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How (and why) to stay optimistic when it feels like the environment is falling apart
New research outlines steps to usefully combine optimism with pessimism when talking about environmental conservation.
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Australia’s drought could be increasing Q fever risk, but there are ways we can protect ourselves
With several hundred cases diagnosed each year, Australia has one of the highest rates of Q fever worldwide.
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Research to clear the air on smoke taint in wine
Researchers are investigating whether smoke from stubble burning has any effect on wine grapes.
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From the lab bench to the clinic: Pneumonia vaccine shows commercialisation strengths
Commercialisation potential of Faculty of Sciences’ research is in the spotlight after the development of a new pneumonia vaccine.
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World rankings: veterinary science breaks into top 50
Veterinary science, taught at Roseworthy campus, is a stand-out result in a suite of impressive results in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
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Conservation of threatened flora species inspires street art
Scientists are helping save a threatened native plant and art is helping raise awareness about it.
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PhD research a global game changer for chicken breeding
$35K Gary Sansom Scholarship was awarded to Joshua Angove for his research on the influence of the maternal environment on how meat chickens grow.
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African origins of giant extinct New Zealand bird revealed
Scientists have revealed the African origins of New Zealand’s most mysterious giant flightless bird – the now extinct adzebill – showing that some of its closest living relatives are the pint-sized flufftails from Madagascar and Africa.
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Shining a light on sea snake senses
University of Adelaide marine biologists have discovered that some sea snakes contain genes in their tail skin that help them stay safe from predators.
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