Research centres and institutes

The School of Chemical and Physical Sciences is home to five research centres and institutes.

Centre for Biodiscovery

The Centre for Biodiscovery is an interdisciplinary research centre. It brings together natural products and synthetic chemistry research in the School of Chemistry and Physics and mechanism of action studies and proteomics in the School of Biological Sciences. It also has links to affiliated research in mathematics and computing science and in behavioral psychology.

Ferrier Research Institute

The Ferrier Research Institute is a team of carbohydrate chemistry experts and analysts working to bring better drugs, materials and technology to the world. Ferrier is internationally recognised in carbohydrate and organic chemistry, solving real challenges in synthetic chemistry and structure elucidation. Research at the institute focuses on chemical immunology, enzyme inhibitors, pharmaceutical manufacture, heparan sulphate, industrial formulations and carbohydrates for health. Ferrier has a full range of chemical and analytical facilities and is located on Victoria’s spacious Gracefield site, 15 minutes from Wellington city. Postgraduate students can apply to study with the Ferrier Research Institute.

MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

The MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology is New Zealand's first Centre of Research Excellence and the only one focussed on the physical sciences.

The MacDiarmid Institute is New Zealand's premier research organisation concerned with high quality research and research education in materials science and nanotechnology. The Institute is a collaborative venture encompassing the knowledge and expertise of leading researchers and research facilities.

Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

The School has close ties to the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, New Zealand’s leading medical research facility focused on finding cures for cancer, asthma, Multiple Sclerosis and infectious diseases. The Institute is located on campus and staff collaborate on research projects and co-supervise students.

Paihau—Robinson Research Institute

The multidisciplinary Paihau—Robinson Research Institute melds innovative engineering and applied physics to build advanced technologies for businesses worldwide. The Institute is recognised internationally as a pioneer and leader in high temperature superconductivity (HTS). The Institute’s research focuses on cryogen-free magnets, Roebel cable, electric power systems, transformers, magnetic sensors, spintronics and hybrid materials. This research is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and instruments including New Zealand’s only Quantum Design SQUID magnetometer and PPMS system, a six-target Kurt J Lesker CMS-18 thin film sputtering system and scanning electron microscopes. Master’s and PhD students can apply to study with Paihau—Robinson Research Institute.