Researcher support and development , Te tautoko rangahau me te whakawhanake

Our Research Operations group supports researchers to navigate the complete research life-cycle. We support research systems and policy, legal and financial arrangements and help researchers develop the skills they need to join the next generation of research leaders. Across our three teams, we:

• co-ordinate submissions to major research funders
• oversee internal research funding and awards, and
• coordinate with peer research management organisations across and beyond the Aotearoa New Zealand research landscape.

The group is led by the Director Research Operations, Dr Viv Smith.

The Research Innovation and Impact team are here to support you and your research. 

We work with individual researchers or academic units to support project and career development. We also provide assistance with funding proposals. 

We can support you at both ends of a research project – from expanding your initial idea into a full proposal and submission, to supporting the project reporting at its conclusion. Get help throughout the research proposal development process, including with:

• eligibility criteria
• submission
• identifying and boosting impact of your research.

Connect with government research funders

On behalf of Massey University, we liaise with the main New Zealand government research funders:

• HRC – the Health Research Council of New Zealand
• MBIE – the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
• RStA – Royal Society Te Apārangi

Research funding for Massey staff (staff login required)

Resources and workshops

We also develop resources and run workshops that will:

• enhance your understanding of the research system
• enable you to identify sources of funding that align with your discipline and topic
• equip you to proactively manage your research career.

We oversee Massey’s internal research medals and awards processes, including:

• supporting applications
• notifying recipients
• assisting to showcase excellent and impactful research undertaken by our diverse and talented research community.  

Our Legal Services team can advise on, prepare, collaborate on and review legal agreements, including:

• research and consultancy agreements 
• memoranda of understanding 
• subcontracts 
• intellectual property agreements
• non-disclosure agreements

We also provide advice in relation to contract and intellectual property law. We liaise with other organisations’ legal teams to:

• streamline interactions with them
• agree legal approaches involving contracting
• formalise relationships with partners, funders and students.

Financial management support

When your research or consultancy contract has been signed, we provide support with the financial management of research and consultancy funding by:

• establishing research accounts
• invoicing
• setting up reminders for reporting deadlines or milestones for research projects.

We also reconcile final project accounts where this is required by major research funders and work with Massey's central Finance group when needed on audits.

We open and support research accounts for funds provided under internal funding rounds to support research, such as the Massey University Research Fund. 

The Research Systems and Reporting team manages Massey's research information and provides strategic reporting and policy advice.

We are responsible for the management of the university’s research information management systems:

• RIMS
• Symplectic Elements
• Expertise.

We also support, advise on or administer:

• the planning and implementation of strategy and policy for research and enterprise functions
• Performance-Based Research Funding (PBRF)
• the University Research Committee (URC) and the Performance-Based Research Funding PBRF Governance Group
• internal research funds and university research awards processes

We can also provide data for:

• external reporting, such as External Research Income (ERI) and reports to TEC
• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) annual reporting
• informing decisions on strategic research directions.

We provide advice and administrative support to staff and student researchers to make sure:

• you are aware of your ethics obligations
• your research is conducted in a responsible and ethical manner.

Led by the Director of Ethics, Professor Craig Johnson, our Research Ethics team coordinates the animal and human ethics committees. 

Learn more about research ethics at Massey

Exploring great ideas is part of how we extend our understanding and it’s also what successful companies are built on.

We offer sound benefits to staff and students who choose to develop their ideas into business practice and commercialisation with our very experienced and knowledgeable team.

Learn more about commercialisation at Massey

Our Graduate Research School creates an excellent and supportive experience for doctoral students at Massey. The Graduate Research School provides administrative and learning support for doctoral students.

We provide comprehensive supervisor learning and development. All Massey supervisors are kept up to date in their knowledge and skills through Supervisor Accreditation.

We are here to support you whether you are:

• a current doctoral student
• thinking of applying for a doctoral degree or scholarship, or
• a Massey researcher wanting to develop and enhance your supervision skills.

Scholarships and funding

How to apply for a doctoral degree

Specific support offered

Support offered for students and their supervisors includes:

• guidance and advice on administrative processes from application to examination
• advice and support for scholarships to support research at all levels
• learning and development workshops, online courses and events on important topics like writing, communicating your research, relating to supervisors and students and developing your career
• peer mentoring programmes, including Scholars Massey for undergraduate and postgraduate scholars and Accelerate for early career researchers
• online writing groups and bootcamps
• Strengths@Massey for doctoral students and their supervisors

Get more details about doctoral student support

Learn about support for supervisors on OneMassey (login required)

Committee support and leadership

The Graduate Research School also leads and supports the University Scholarships Advisory Committee and the Doctoral Research Committee, both chaired by Dean Postgraduate Research, Professor Tracy Riley.

These committees ensure strategic direction for doctoral research and scholarships at Massey.