Institutes, centres and groups
To view the School-based research centres and groups, please visit the respective School research page:
- Civil and Mechanical Engineering
- Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences
- Molecular and Life Sciences
- WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering
Faculty-based research institutes, centres and groups
Visit the respective web presences for our faculty-based research institutes, centres and groups below:
Research institutes
Curtin Institute for Data Science (CIDS)
CIDS was founded to meet this increasing demand for computational modelling, data analytics and visualisation.
Curtin Institute for Radio Astronomy (CIRA)
The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) is Curtin’s link with the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).
SSERVI Australia
Australia is home to world renowned geologists, planetary scientists, geochronologists, geophysicists, mechatronics engineers and physicists who actively work together to discover our solar system and share its wonders with everyone.
Research centres
Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Tectonics and Earth Resources
This centre facilitates collaborative research and research training in geotectonics and mineral and hydrocarbon resources.
Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA)
The Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA) is an Australian social innovation initiative with the vision of harnessing the special talents of people with Autism for the collective benefit of those with Autism, industry and the wider community.
Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM)
Conducts high-impact research that makes a real difference to the Australian grains industry.
Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre
Established in 2017, the Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre brings multi-disciplinary research and development expertise to the oil and gas industry, and to the energy sector in general.
John De Laeter Centre for Isotope Research (JDLC)
JDLC integrative research in the minerals and petroleum sectors is foremost among the Centre’s strategic goals.
Sino-Australian Joint Research Centre for Ocean Engineering
The Sino-Australian Joint Research Centre encompasses marine, subsea and ocean engineering and technologies.
VISIT THE Sino-Australian Joint Research Centre for Ocean Engineering
Space Science and Technology Centre
With established partnerships with NASA and Lockheed Martin, the Curtin Space Science and Technology Centre is home to the largest planetary research group in the Southern Hemisphere.
Research groups
Carbon Group
The Carbon Group is a multidisciplinary group of computational and experimentalist material scientists with different backgrounds and expertise. What links us all together is our favourite element, carbon.
Communication Technology and Signal Processing Group
The Communication Technology and Signal Processing Group initiates and pursues research in the fields of communications and signal processing.
Curtin Reservoir Geophysics Consortium
The Curtin Reservoir Geophysics Consortium (CRGC) is a partnership between industry and academia. CRGC is undertaking research into acquisition, processing and quantitative interpretation of geophysical data with an emphasis on Australian petroleum exploration and production problems.
Curtin Gold Technology Group
The Curtin Gold Technology Group provides research, consulting and training expertise to the gold industry.
Drilling Mechanics Group
The research interests of the Drilling Mechanics Group (DMG) centre around the interactions taking place while drilling: interactions often coupled between the drill bit, the rock, the drilling fluid and the driving mechanisms (drill rig, downhole motors).
Earth Dynamics Research Group
The Earth Dynamics Research Group study the dynamic distribution and evolution of tectonic plates on Earth through time, geodynamic driving mechanisms and tectonic processes, and their relevance to Earth resources and environments.
Embedded Systems Research Group
The Embedded Systems Research Group focuses on accessibility issues and the way in which technology provides assistance.
Geographic Information Science (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS)
The Geographic Information System manages spatial (location) data. Remote Sensing (RS) relates to the collection of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) data using instrumentation that is at a distance from the area or phenomena being investigated.
Hydrogen Storage Research Group
The Hydrogen Storage Research Group undertakes experimental research into a vast array of energy storage systems including:
- Hydrogen storage materials for export, transport, or stationary energy storage
- Thermal batteries using thermochemical energy storage
- Solid-state electrochemical batteries
Multiphase Flow through Porous Media Research Group
The Multiphase Flow through Porous Media Research Group studies multiphase flow through sandstones, carbonates, tight gas sands and shale.
Pavement Research Group
The Pavement Research Group looks at Hydrated Cement Treated Crushed Rock Base (HCTCRB), cement modified crushed rock base and unbound granular/aggregate course and stabilisation.
Petroleum Geomechanics Group
Projects cover a wide range of topics from fundamental research to industry-related problems in both drilling and reservoir geomechanics. The Petroleum Geomechanics Group has strong capabilities in fracture characterisation and modelling.
Remote Sensing Research Group
The Remote Sensing and Satellite Research Group (RSSRG) undertakes quantitative research in the field of Earth observations from space.
Renewable Energy and Power Systems Research Group
The Renewable Energy and Power Systems Research Group concentrates on power electronics applied to renewable energy.
Soil and Landscape Science Group
We conduct research to improve understanding of soil processes and the drivers of soil and landscape variability at different spatial and temporal scales. Our research aims to quantify, assess and monitor soil functions by integrating soil sensing, mapping and modelling to help deliver ecosystem services that enable life on Earth.
Theoretical Physics Group
The Institute’s research interests are in the area of electrons, positrons, or photons scattering from atoms and ions, as well as laser and atom-surface interactions. Applications include lasers, astrophysics, plasma processing, plasma displays, fusion research, and the lighting industry.
Timescales of Mineral Systems
The Timescales of Mineral Systems Research Group seeks to address the timing of mineral-forming events through application of innovative geochronology and isotope geology. This team brings together the technical know-how and many years of experience in using isotope geology to address industry pertinent geological questions.
Unconventional Gas Research Group
The Unconventional Gas Research Group investigates the potential unconventional resources in Western Australia. Currently the major concentration of UGRG group members is on the evaluation of potential gas shale layers located in Perth Basin and Canning Basin.
Mining Rock Mechanics Group
The Mining Rock Mechanics Group at the Western Australian School of Mines undertakes applied research and testing on behalf and in conjunction with the Australian mining industry.
Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group
The Water and Environmental Engineering Groups research focuses on water/ wastewater quality science, recycling membrane tech, storm/ground water management/modelling and sustainable water systems.
Western Australian Geodesy Group
The Western Australian Geodesy Group conducts a diverse range of both pure and applied geodetic research of national and international significance.
Wireless Instrumentation and Networks Research Group
The Wireless Instrumentation and Networks Research Group focuses on exploring the future of wireless communication technologies. Wireless solutions are explored and researched that are capable of robust and reliable communication.
Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory
Only by understanding the mechanisms that determine the generation and distribution of biodiversity can we provide efficient and long-term protection plans for our nature. Our genetic biodiversity research is centered around three main questions, represented by three molecular disciplines.
- What is present?
- What used to be present?
- What happened along the way?