IBM's new R&D lab to employ 150 researchers

The new IBM R&D laboratory, which opened last week on Lygon Street, will employ about 150 researchers over the next five years and will help the community better prepare for and cope with major natural disasters and lead to a more sustainable future.

The lab is IBM’s first continuous exploration, whole-of-university relationship and will see IBM researchers from labs around the world exploring research opportunities with University of Melbourne researchers from across all schools and faculties.

Launching the lab, for which the Commonwealth Government contributed $22 million, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu agreed the lab was another major win for ICT R&D in Australia.

“This is a first-class research facility that will enhance Australia’s strong research base and attract the best people from Australia and around the world,” Senator Carr said.

“I’m pleased that IBM has already started assembling a world-class team, both from local and international research talent. It will give post-graduate students opportunities to experience research at a world level.”

IBM and its partners at the University of Melbourne will apply their substantial research and computational expertise to address a range of challenges. They will also focus on frontier technologies to help build and transform Australian industries.

Mr Baillieu said IBM’s decision to base the facility in Victoria was a testament to Victoria’s credentials as a major source of innovation and ICT investment.

“Today’s opening and this investment by IBM proves once again that Melbourne is a vital regional hub for global innovation and technology R&D,” Mr Baillieu said.

“This confirms our place in the world as a first-class destination for investment and research and a great location for collaboration between Government, industry and the research community".

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said the centre would bring together leading minds globally, combining our technologies in the interests of a safer and more sustainable world.

“In recent years we have experienced a range of natural disasters, throughout the world, from floods and bushfires in our own backyard, to cyclones, tsunamis, severe storms, typhoons, earthquakes and landslides,” he said.

“No single organisation can tackle the impact these disasters have on the world. Instead we need to combine our technologies, our resources and capabilities and bring together leading minds from around the world to research solutions that reduce the risk and impact of these devastating events.

“Universities, industry, government and research institutes need to work together to find solutions to these complex global challenges. The lab will engage with researchers from leading institutions including the University, CSIRO, National ICT Australia (NICTA) and Australian businesses."