Useful links
Access and fees
Getting started at Sydney Analytical
Key Information
All enquiries sent to sydney.analytical@sydney.edu.au will be redirected to the appropriate staff member.
If you are already in contact with one of our staff you are also welcome to email or speak to them directly.
After we receive your enquiry, our staff will work with you to put together a viable project design, taking into account factors such as experimental scope, instrument requirements, and budget.
- If you have a University of Sydney ‘Unikey’ credential, your first step is to enrol in the Sydney Analytical Canvas course for links to the general induction material, induction quiz and training material. If you do not have a Unikey please request one from your Sydney Analytical staff contact.
- Once you have completed the general induction, log in to SydneyFMS to update your profile and create a new project. Your project will be assessed by Sydney Analytical staff to determine if a risk assessment is required, and the project details will be sent to your supervisor for approval.
- Most usage of Sydney Analytical equipment or services will require a risk assessment. We prefer that you use our risk assessment form.
- Access to laboratories will be granted once appropriate training has been undertaken and a lab and building induction has been completed.
- If you have a University of Sydney staff or student card, and you have been inducted into the laboratory, you may request access here.
- If you do not have a University of Sydney staff or student card please notify your Sydney Analytical staff contact. Please register and then complete the External User Access Induction module to obtain an access card.
Vibration Spectroscopy Node - A Duty Spectroscopist is available during working hours in case you need support. To contact them call 0479 179 925.
Most equipment in Sydney Analytical is charged on a per hour basis, some services are charged per service. For complex services, a quote will be provided before service begins.
User categories:
- University of Sydney staff/student: University of Sydney staff and students receive special subsidised rates. Please login to the Intranet to view service and access fees.
- External academic/NFP: Other Australian universities, publicly funded research organisations and not-for-profits.
- Commercial: Industry users. Please contact us for a quote.
Service type |
Equipment/service |
External academic/ NFP rate |
|---|---|---|
Vibrational spectroscopy |
Bench-top Infrared and Raman |
$130/hr* |
Portable spectrometers |
$65/hr** |
|
Innova AFM |
$65/hr* |
|
X-ray spectroscopy |
K-Alpha+ XPS/UPS |
$65/hr* |
EnviroESCA XPS |
$130/hr* |
|
SuperMini200 benchtop XRF |
$65/hr* |
|
Tracer handheld, Artax 800 XRF |
$65/hr** |
|
Magnetic Resonance |
NMR 300 - 500 MHz |
$12/hr |
NMR 600 MHz |
$24/hr |
|
NMR 800 MHz |
$40/hr |
|
Electron paramagnetic resonance |
$20/hr |
|
X-ray diffraction |
SuperNova single crystal diffractometer |
$26/hr* |
Synergy single crystal diffractometer, Synergy ED Electron Diffractometer |
$65/hr* |
|
Powder diffractometers |
$65/hr* |
|
X-ray and light scattering |
Small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering |
$65/hr* |
Malvern ZetaView or Zetasizer |
$52/hr* |
|
Drug Discovery |
General equipment charge |
$26/hr |
Thermal analysis |
Phoenix DSC or Jupiter TGA |
$52/hr |
| Jupiter simultaneous thermal analysis | $78/hr | |
Thermal conductivity |
$65/hr |
|
| Residual stress analysis | Veqter Ultrasonic stress, X-ray bot, 3D scanner, ICHD | $65/hr* |
*Long-term rates for portable instruments: maximum charge of 7hrs per day or 30hrs per week.
**Bookings over 8 hours: subsequent hours charged at 25% of the standard rate.
Service type |
Equipment/service |
External academic/ NFP rate |
|---|---|---|
Staff time2: all nodes except drug discovery |
Staff assistance, operation, set-up and data analysis |
$150/hr |
Training: all nodes except drug discovery |
Training in operation of equipment and data analysis |
$130/hr |
Staff time1,2: drug discovery |
All staff time, including training |
$80/hr |
All-inclusive staff services: drug discovery
|
Primary fragment-based drug screen and validation |
$16,500 |
Cyclic peptide ligand screen |
$8,800 |
|
Protein production & characterisation, protein crystallography, biophysical interactions analysis, 2D and 3D cell culture |
Request a quote |
1 Training for small groups can be integrated into projects for a 20% surcharge (NB: We periodically run courses covering technique basics, sample preparation and data analysis).
2Short periods of assistance are not charged.
Note: Discounts for extended bookings are available and vary by equipment. Please discuss with our staff.
Did you know? If you are a University of Sydney researcher at postdoctoral level and above, you may be eligible for support through the Sydney Research Infrastructure Access Grants program (formerly 'Core Research Facilities User Access Scheme').
These grants support access to Core Research Facilities and Research Service Units for high-quality research by researchers whose opportunities may otherwise be limited. This program supports the University's strategic goals in research excellence and diversity and inclusion.
Download the grant guidelines (pdf, 660kB) for details.
Our analytical techniques and expertise are highly complementary to those offered by Major Facilities such as the Australian Synchrotron, the OPAL neutron source, and overseas x-ray, light and neutron sources. Our staff have extensive experience in supporting users at these facilities, and offer a range of services, including:
- planning advice for experiments on our lab instruments, in order to provide valuable preliminary data,
- expert advice on planning your experiment and optimising your beamtime application,
- training on analysis techniques and software, and
- staff who can accompany research teams to major facilities to assist in experiments, under certain circumstances.
Our staff also have experience in using the following techniques at major facilities:
- powder X-ray and neutron diffraction
- X-ray and neutron small angle scattering
- single-crystal diffraction (including for proteins),
- X-ray adsorption spectroscopy
- X-ray fluorescence microscopy
- soft X-ray methods
When writing up your research please remember to acknowledge the role of our facilities and expertise.
Acknowledgments demonstrate that investments in equipment and people have led to important outcomes. Your publications, presentations, and posters are a vital part of the business case for ongoing funding of Sydney Analytical.
Here are sample statements of acknowledgement:
- "The authors acknowledge the facilities and the scientific and technical assistance of Sydney Analytical, a core research facility at The University of Sydney.”
- “This research was facilitated by access to Sydney Analytical, a core research facility at the University of Sydney”
- “We thank <insert name(s) of staff member(s)> for assistance and advice with <insert type of work> that was carried out at Sydney Analytical, a core research facility at the University of Sydney.”
Please let us know if you have published a paper acknowledging us.
Training is one of the primary roles of our facility. All users are provided with one-on-one training when they start using any equipment within the facility. The level of training will range from routine operation to more advanced techniques depending on the users research requirements.
We run a range of workshops providing an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of measurements and analysis.
We have an established track record of providing high quality consulting services to a wide range of clients, including multinationals, small-to-medium enterprises, government departments and public utilities. Previous projects have included studies of microplastics, structure determination, characterisation of unknown contaminants, synthesis of proteins and assisting in process/quality control.
Contact us to initiate a confidential discussion of your requirements.