Centre for eResearch (CeR) Platform

The Centre for eResearch (CeR) provides digital research infrastructure, expertise and support services for researchers across the University of Auckland. CeR helps researchers manage, analyse, store and share research data, access advanced computing resources, develop digital research skills, and apply emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning to research projects.

The platform supports researchers throughout the research lifecycle, from project planning and data management through to advanced analytics, visualisation and digital solution development.

How can we help

We support University of Auckland researchers, external academics and commercial partners to;

• Research data management and planning
• Secure research data storage and collaboration
• Data publishing and sharing
• High-performance and cloud computing
• AI and machine learning research applications
• Digital research workflows and software development
• Data visualisation and immersive technologies
• Sensitive data research environments
• Research programming and data analysis
• Research capability and skills development

For more information on this platform's capabilities and offerings, see research data and AI, software and computing or see our annual report.

To access services or training, select the relevant service or workshop below for booking details and access requirements.

Services

Research data services

Supporting the storage, management, sharing and publication of research data throughout the research lifecycle.

• Research Drive provides University-managed research data network storage.
• Dropbox for Researchers provides University-managed research data cloud storage to support collaboration.
• Globus enables fast and reliable file transfers to and from Research Drives and NeSI.
• Institutional Figshare enables self-service data publishing on a University-hosted platform.
• Research data support and training
• Research data management consultation

Research consultancy and digital solutions 

Working alongside researchers to deliver customised digital research solutions and specialist technical support.

• Researcher consultancy: Working alongside researchers to deliver customised solutions to funded projects using a cost-recovery model (see our case studies).
• Visualisation and immersive technologies: Includes bookable spaces and equipment, and support.

Advanced research compute services 

Access computational resources to enable AI-powered research, speed up analysis, facilitate innovative methods, support long-running analysis tasks, or free up your desktop or laptop for other activities.

• Managed virtual machines enable access to managed computational resources with Windows and Linux OS options.
• Nectar self-service virtual machines provide access to self-service virtual machines, including GPUs.
• Secure Research Environment (SRE) provides secure, on-campus virtual storage and compute infrastructure for sensitive research data.
• Nectar virtual desktop provides short-term access to virtual machines with a desktop interface.
  

CeR also supports access to the REANNZ High Performance Computing (HPC) platform.

Training

Research AI training

• Responsible AI in research for supervisors
• Prompt engineering for research: A hands-on introduction
• Introduction to machine learning
• Introduction to deep learning
• Introduction to AI-assisted workflows for qualitative analyses
• Embedding Large Language Models (LLMs) into qualitative research workflows workshop
• Making AI Speak Your Research Language: An Introduction to Fine-Tuning LLMs

Research data management training

• Managing research data
• Research data management for supervisors
• Managing sensitive research data for supervisors
• Writing a data management plan

Research programming languages and training

• Data analysis and visualisation in R
• Programming with Python
• Introduction to the command line (Unix Shell)

Digital research skills event

• ResBaz 2026, a free online week-long series of digital research skills workshops.

News, events and platform updates will be published here when available.

To access and book services or training through the Centre of eResearch platform, select the relevant service or training from above to view booking instructions and contact details.

Not sure where to start? Meet with team to discuss your research requirements and identify the most suitable services, training and expertise for your project.

We aim to respond to requests within five working days. Users engaging with these services will need to agree to the eResearch services terms and conditions.

General enquiries? Email: researchdata@auckland.ac.nz

Laura Armstrong

eResearch Engagement Lead
Email: l.armstrong@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 923 1597
View profile

Marcus Gustafsson

eResearch Operations Manager, Centre for eResearch
Email: m.gustafsson@auckland.ac.nz
View profile

Meet the team

Our Management team

• Professor Mark Gahegan, Director
• Marcus Gustafsson, Operations Manager
• Sean Matheny, Platforms and Services Team Lead
• Yvette Wharton, Solutions Team Lead
• Laura Armstrong, Engagement Team Lead