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

Agriculture, food & wine

Agriculture, food and wine research at Waite campus

Animal & veterinary sciences

Animal and veterinary sciences research at Roseworthy campus

Biological sciences

Earth and Environmental Science Professor Sean Connell

Physical sciences

Sally Robertson at the South Pole - IceCube and High Energy Astronomy

Research facilities

Adelaide Microscopy image

Find a researcher

Find a researcher image: Duck drone

Partner with us

Engagement and Industry image

Research institutes and centres

Research institutes

ARC Centres of Excellence (COE)

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC)

Research centres

Science research news

Mengke Han - IPAS

Adelaide scientist wins ‘bronze’ at global neurophotonics event

A project to map the hearing capability of zebrafish has won Mengke Han third prize at the global Frontiers in Neurophotonics’ summer school.

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Alex Copper and xynisteri vines

Mediterranean drought-tolerant vines set for Australian experiment

Wine researchers are investigating drought-tolerant grape varieties from Cyprus for their suitability for Australian conditions.

Read more about Mediterranean drought-tolerant vines set for Australian experiment
Plant Accelerator, Waite campus

$35.6 million boost for sciences' research infrastructure

Research for a range of industrial sectors including scientific, advanced manufacturing, defence, resources, biomedical and agriculture has received a major boost.

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Professor John Williams

Moo-ve over methane... Scientists show we can breed cattle that produce less gassy emissions

Animal scientists have found the genetics of a cow strongly influence the composition of their gut and how much methane they produce.

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Koala, Cleland

Disease-free locals 'koalafy' as population protectors

Chlamydia-free koalas from Kangaroo Island may be needed to help save declining populations in other parts of Australia.

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Models for the distribution of crustal thickness in early Earth. The crust in the prevailing paradigm is mostly oceanic, with some thin continental crust.  The new model predicts a thicker and greater continental portion that was not preserved.

New model suggests lost continents for early Earth

Earth scientists suggest that continents may have risen out of the sea much earlier than previously thought but were destroyed, leaving little trace.

Read more about New model suggests lost continents for early Earth
k

An incredible journey - the first people to arrive in Australia came in large numbers, and on purpose

It took more than 1,000 people to form a viable population in Australia. But this was no accidental migration, the first arrivals must have been planned, scientists say.

Read more about An incredible journey - the first people to arrive in Australia came in large numbers, and on purpose
Of cowboys, fish, and pangolins: Example images of leather products advertised on the US eBay website. The boots in (a) are made from pangolin skin and were advertised as pre‐owned “classic anteater boots” of the brand “Lucchese,” valued at US$1,500 as a starting price and available for international shipping. The boots in (b) are also Lucchese boots, but made from arapaima skin. These boots were advertised as “New with defects,” valued at US$415.65 as a starting price and also available for international

No yee-haw: What endangered creature are your cowboy boots made from?

Researchers investigating the world’s exotic wildlife trade have made a startling discovery...

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A fossil of the giant new trilobite species Redlichia rex

New ‘king’ of fossils discovered on Kangaroo Island

Fossils of a giant new species from the long-extinct group of sea creatures called trilobites have been found on Kangaroo Island.

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Nicole Foster PhD coastal vegetation research

A shore future for our coastal vegetation

Researchers are using new ways to gain genetic information from ocean sediment to determine the past and future survival of our coastal vegetation.

Read more about A shore future for our coastal vegetation

More science news