university of sydney phd opportunities

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PhD student opportunities

Our PhD students play a crucial role in a diversity of key projects, gaining valuable experience and expertise while contributing to research and development outcomes.

Be at the leading edge in your field

Ready to shape the future? To discuss existing or potential projects  contact us

New PhD candidates have the opportunity to become involved in our projects across multiple areas, including those listed below.

A. Applied electromagnetics and antennas

Sponsored by the Australian Research Council (ARC), this project is to develop a novel reconfigurable antenna array structure and beamforming algorithms to increase the distance and data rates of wireless communications between air-borne/space-borne vehicles.

TeraHertz (THz) antennas

THz is regarded as the next frontier for wireless communications and sensing. The challenges are in ultra-high gain antenna design, integrated design of the antennas and THz front-end, and a new generation of wireless system architecture to manage the characteristics and THz waves. Sponsored by industry, this project will address these challenges through theoretical and experimental studies.

Base station antennas for 5G wireless communications

The cellular wireless communications industry is moving towards 5G, in turn demanding more advanced antennas and bringing challenges relating to massive antenna arrays, the capability to deal with more bands, and low-cost mm-wave antenna systems. This project aims to develop new antenna technologies to meet the capacity requirements of future 5G systems.

Base station antennas using metamaterial

Base station antennas are the key devices in wireless cellular communications that provide a link between base stations and mobile stations. The multi-generations of wireless communications systems have posed ever-increasing challenges to the design of base station antennas, particularly around wide bandwidth, beam consistency and polarisation isolation. Sponsored by industry, this research will investigate new antenna configurations and meta-material structures to meet these changing needs.

Frequency and pattern reconfigurable antenna for cognitive radio systems

It is suggested that two separate antennas are required for cognitive radio systems: a wideband antenna for scanning the spectrum, and a narrowband frequency reconfigurable antenna for communicating. This research looks at ways to combine the two antennas together to reduce the size and complexity of the system’s radio frequency (RF) front-end, using a single-port fed antenna that can switch between the wideband and narrowband operations. Additionally, this new development will allow the main beam for each narrowband operation to be steered according to the channel conditions.

B. Wireless communications and remote sensing

Self-interference cancellation for full-duplex wireless communications.

Full duplex has emerged as a new communications paradigm shift and is anticipated to significantly increase information transmission capacity compared to conventional half-duplex radios. This research investigates the theory and implementation techniques for RF and baseband interference cancellation, enabling bi-directional transmission with the same frequency band. Additional uses for full duplex in wireless systems, such as active radar systems, will result in revolutionary architecture innovation and significant performance improvement.

Massive hybrid antenna array for mm-wave communications

Wireless communications using millimetre wave (mm-wave) frequency bands have developed from niche market applications into potentially global applications in mobile broadband systems. Wireless system designers have embarked on research into fifth generation (5G) cellular systems to meet exponential growth in demand for high data rates and mobility required by new wireless applications. This research project will enable the 5G vision, with a focus on development and delivery of a low-cost massive hybrid antenna array implementation and effective digital signal processing techniques.

High-speed signal processing and implementation for wireless communication systems

Increasing demand for high-speed wireless communications systems means that new signal processing algorithms and hardware implementations are necessary to meet low cost and high-performance requirements. This research project will investigate effective digital signal processing algorithms and efficient hardware design to realise high-speed wireless communications in real-time. PhD candidates should have both theoretical background and hardware implementation experience.

C. Data processing

Fine-grained activity recognition and object tracking.

Recognising human activities from video streams is an important task for home automation, robotics and surveillance. Increasingly, human activities need to be recognised at a fine grain, for example, telling apart a person holding a cup of coffee from a person holding a foreign object. In this PhD project, the candidate will investigate the synergistic use of activity recognition and tracking techniques to achieve accurate, fine-grained recognition of activities. The outcome will be a technology that can be flexibly employed in a variety of human-computer applications.

Joint activity recognition and summarisation of videos

Recognising human activities in video clips is an important task for social media analysis. Moreover, being able to automatically select a few frames to summarise each clip (‘storyboarding’) can add extra useful information for an end user. In this PhD project, the candidate will explore how to provide activity recognition and video summarisation together, leveraging the constructive interactions of these two tasks.

Word embedding for natural language processing

Encoding the semantic and structural relationships between words can prove useful for many natural language processing (NLP) tasks. A successful approach ‘embeds’ the words into a vector space where semantic and structural similarities between words are preserved. In this PhD project, the candidate will explore different embedding approaches and their impact on the accuracy of NLP tasks such as named entity recognition and part-of-speech tagging.

D. Internet of Things (IoT)

Ubiquitous timing.

The Internet of Things is growing around us every day. Soon not only smartphones and computers, but objects of all kinds, will be communicating with and sharing data between themselves and with the cloud. An absolutely critical part of that data are the recorded timestamps of when events occur: did the car hit its brakes before the lights went red, or not? Did my fridge decide to throw out my leg of lamb before the power failure, or because of it? Did my stock order really go through before the crash? IoT applications will grow into an enormously diverse and complex system, and timing will be a key to making applications effective and reliable, and in maintaining order over chaos.   

You will join a timing research project, part of the Network Timing Laboratory research effort, to develop a robust and accurate timing system for the IoT ecosystem. This encompasses both the timing approach within IoT devices and the Internet-based support infrastructure. It will build on the extensive experience in Internet timing, including a state of the art timing testbed, at UTS, and involves the cooperation of both national and international partners.

Required background: excellent knowledge of computer networking, excellent programming skills, and knowledge of time series analysis or related disciplines. A stipend is available to outstanding candidates.

E. UAV/Drone research

Drone energy autonomy.

Outstanding students are sought to work on an exciting new project in Drone Energy Autonomy, aiming to develop a reliable, autonomous infrastructure allowing UAVs (with a focus on quadcopters) to operate as if their range were unlimited. The goal is ambitious and transformative and involves significant experimental and theoretical challenges.  

Required background: a recent mechatronics or robotics undergraduate degree, strong practical skills in multi-rotor UAV development, a strong background in control, and a can-do attitude with a determination to have an impact in the space. Significant experience using C++, Python, Linux, and ROS is necessary. A stipend is available to outstanding candidates.

F. Network security

Trusted timing for the internet of things.

The Internet of Things is expanding rapidly.  Soon IoT enabled objects of all kinds will be communicating and sharing data between themselves and the cloud. A critical part of that data is the recorded timestamps of when events occur, and a key question is, can those timestamps be trusted? The security implications of timestamps which have been fabricated, tampered with, or are otherwise unreliable are enormous, given that decisions by individuals, companies, and software will be based on them in myriad ways. For example, the ordering of financial transactions, acceptance of outdated passwords, timely delivery of parcels, or the predicted location of people could all fail if timestamps are wrong. 

You will join a timing research project to develop a secure and trusted timing system for the IoT ecosystem. This encompasses both the security issues within IoT devices and of the Internet-based support infrastructure. It will build on the extensive experience in Internet timing, including a state of the art timing testbed, at UTS, and involves the cooperation of both national and international partners. 

Required background: extensive knowledge of computer networking, excellent programming skills, and knowledge of time series analysis or related disciplines, and a grounding in traditional network security.

Anomaly detection

For security threats which follow a known pattern, a rule or signature-based approach can be an effective countermeasure, for example, to detect and block attacks in applications like network intrusion detection.  When the attack type is unknown, however, its detection is a far more difficult and subtle problem, often complicated by a lack of clear definitions enabling `signal’, `noise’ and `anomaly’ from being distinguished.

You will develop and evaluate methodologies based on innovative approaches to anomaly detection. These will include non-linear filtering, sketching, sampling, and wavelet analysis. The results will be applied to datasets from Internet data and bio-signals and will contribute creatively to the arsenal of methods used Data Analytics.

Required background: strong mathematical background in areas such as statistics, time series analysis, optimisation, machine learning, and well as strong computer science knowledge and programming experience.

Information theoretic security

Data confidentiality is a critical component of secure data transfer, and much of the digital economy, for example, secure financial transactions, rely upon it. It is typically provided using encryption methods involving secret keys, for example in the well-known RSA cryptosystem. A lesser-known, but very powerful basis lies in Shannon’s Information Theory. Information Theoretic Security is based on the idea of the Wyner Wiretap channel, where an eavesdropper, ‘Eve’, has access to the secret transmission through a channel which is noisier than that between the communicating parties. By intricate and clever coding methods, that extra noise can be made to act like an intrinsic secret key. This approach is capable in theory of providing unbreakable security without the need for secret keys to be exchanged.

The project will build on recent work showing how multiple separate channels (like those found in smartphones: Wi-Fi, cellular Bluetooth) can be exploited to provide a system that provides Information Theoretic security guarantees. The research will focus on expanding and applying these results so that they can be used in real networks to secure the future digital economy.

Required background: strong mathematical background in information theory and optimisation, and well as strong computer science knowledge and programming experience. A background in computer networking and cryptography would be a strong advantage. A stipend is available to outstanding candidates.

G. Data analytics

Graph analytics.

Graph theory is a mature discipline with applications in many domains and is often used to model empirical data. A common feature of real-world datasets, however, for example in social networking, is that they are only partially observed, that is they have elements missing. This can be thought of as a statistical sampling of the underlying graph, and there are many important problems in how to infer characteristics of the full graph from such incomplete measurements.  Even if the datasets are very large, the scale of the true underlying graph is often much, much larger, so this is a non-trivial problem, with important implications for the limits of data analytic methods.

This project will develop scalable methods of graph inference, for example, graph matching, capable of tackling truly large graphs. It will also extend them into the relatively unexplored area of hypergraphs, where the concept of a link from graph theory (effectively a pair of nodes) is generalised to any set of nodes.  Hyper-graphs offer much richer modelling options than graphs and will play an important role in the study of the rich, huge, data sets arising from the digital world.

Required background: strong mathematical background in graph theory and optimisation, and well as strong computer science knowledge and programming experience. A background in statistics would be an advantage. A stipend is available to outstanding candidates.

I enjoy studying in this dynamic research environment. It is a great place for me to develop my research abilities and prepare myself for my future academic career. LEARN MORE about Haihan Sun

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

PhD Scholarships

Our PhD Scholarship program offers students funding to work alongside some of the world’s leading quantum researchers and gain industry-ready skills.

PhD Scholarship: Key dates

Close date: 28 August 2024

SQA Partnership PhD scholarships will remain open until filled.

Use the link below to apply.

Ensure that you have reviewed the conditions of award and the application guidelines in the table below.

Be part of world-leading quantum research

Applications are now open for the SQA Partnership PhD scholarship and Stream 4 of the SQA PhD Experience Program scholarship

SQA Partnership PhD scholarship : These scholarships are for outstanding international and domestic students to undertake research projects co-designed and supervised by researchers from UNSW Sydney and CSIRO.

This scholarship offers exclusive access to the SQA PhD Experience Program connecting you with a vibrant community of fellow quantum PhD students across Sydney. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake coursework at our partner universities, and participate in training, exclusive seminars and workshops designed to give you a competitive edge in the future quantum workforce. You’ll also network with the brightest minds in quantum research and enjoy career development opportunities within academia and related industries.

SQA PhD Scholarships: Applications for Stream 4 of the SQA PhD Experience Program scholarship are now open. Apply here .

Applications to join the 2025 cohort (Streams 1-3) of the SQA PhD Scholarship open on 28 August 2024.

Not ready to apply? Sign up to our mailing list to stay informed about future scholarships rounds.

If you are a domestic student, you may also be eligible to apply for the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship (NGQGP).

Here’s why our scholarships stand out:

Expert supervisors.

Our partner universities are home to over 100 leading quantum researchers who have made breakthrough discoveries across quantum disciplines and applications.

Cutting-edge Facilities

Access state-of-the-art labs and equipment, providing an optimal environment for your research.

Exclusive access to our PhD Experience Program

Our PhD Experience Program is designed to expand  quantum knowledge and provide career development through exclusive workshops, seminars, and a range of coursework offerings across our partner universities.

Vibrant PhD student community

Discover boundless opportunities and camaraderie within our vibrant student community. Connect with peers and academics from our partner universities and cultivate enduring friendships at our organised events throughout the year.

Strong Industry Partnerships

Collaborate with industry leaders, enhancing practical applications and real-world impact.

Startup Incubator

Our universities foster innovation , creating an ecosystem where quantum-related start-ups thrive.

How do I find a supervisor and/or project?

SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship: Discover the research projects that are available. You will need a relevant research proposal for one of these projects and an endorsement from the specific research supervisor.

What our PhD students say

Hear from our PhD Scholarship students on the benefits of being part of the Sydney quantum community. Read more student stories.

SQA PhD candidate at Macquarie University

"SQA has something that most places are lacking – this peer network" said Riddhi Ghosh. "This was very helpful when I moved to Australia. Most of the friends I had for the first one and a half years were from SQA."

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What it's like to study a PhD in quantum technology

Watch the video to hear from our PhD Scholarship students on the benefits of being part of the Sydney quantum community.

Watch now of the video What it's like to study a PhD in quantum technologyl

Application details for SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship (Applications now open)

What do the scholarships offer.

SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship :

This scholarship is funded by CSIRO and supported by SQA, and offers:

• A stipend of at least AU$37,684 p.a.
• A training allowance.
• International tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.
• Entry to the  SQA PhD Experience Program . Completion of the program is required.

Am I eligible?

SQA Partnership Scholarships: 

• Domestic students include Australian citizens, permanent residents, a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time and a New Zealand citizen.
• International students must either hold or be able to obtain a valid visa for the duration of the specified term upon being awarded the scholarship.
• You must be a student who has commenced or is due to commence your PhD studies from Jan 2024 - October 2024. International students may also commence in the first half of 2025. Students who commenced in 2023 or prior are not eligible.
• Before submitting your application, it's essential to secure the support of the project supervisor. Please refer to the list of projects and supervisors associated with this scholarship.
• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).  

 If you are based overseas, and not currently an Australian resident or holder of a permanent resident visa,  you  may be able to commence your studies overseas if you have support from your supervisor and university, and have received your visa, however, you may not be able to start receiving scholarship payments until you arrive in Australia and/or have an Australia bank account.   Please check with your university for further information on offshore commencement.  

Before you apply

Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below related to your preferred scholarship:

SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship

• Application Guidelines
• Conditions of Award

Supporting documentation

To be considered for a stipend scholarship, please upload the following documents with your application. This supporting documentation must be contained in a single pdf (not a portfolio).

• Project proposal
• Academic transcript(s)
• Any other information supporting your application

Supervisor endorsement

When you submit your application, an email will be sent to your proposed supervisor for them to complete a supervisor endorsement form. In order to receive an endorsement, you need to have previously communicated with your proposed supervisor, and they must have agreed to supervise you.

Please note: Failure to follow the guidelines will lead to your application not being considered.

How will my application be assessed?

SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship

Applications will be assessed by SQA and CSIRO, based on the following criteria:

• Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and alignment to the proposed project by UNSW and CSIRO supervisors.
• Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional experience

What is SQA career development funding (CDF)?

• SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship students will have access to a pool of SQA career development funds held locally at your university. The approval processes and availability of funds will depend on your university who manage the process.  The intention of this funding is not to replace funding you may already be eligible to receive (e.g., you may already have support for a laptop from your research group), but rather to provide you with opportunities you may not have been able to access without the SQA CDF - such as specialist training.

How many rounds are there per year?

• We typically hold two scholarship rounds per year – one in April and another in September. You can subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when scholarship rounds open.

How do I know if my research area sufficiently relates to quantum tech?

• As quantum tech can span various disciplines and areas, the best person to answer this question is your proposed supervisor.

Do I have to come to Australia, or can I do my PhD entirely remotely and apply for a scholarship?

• As per the requirements of your university candidature (see their degree resolutions for details), you will need to do your PhD largely in Australia. You may be able to be overseas for a period within this or commence offshore for a period of time. If you are an international student, you will need an Australia visa granted before you can enrol.

What are the selection criteria?

• Details are available above – under ‘How will my application be assessed?’

Is there an IELTS requirement for a scholarship application?

• There is no SQA specific requirement for IELTS. You will need to adhere to the IELTS requirements of your chosen SQA university however, to be admitted for your PhD. SQA university PhD admission will be required to receive your scholarship, should you be awarded.

Can I start my application form and save it to finish it later?

• Depending on your browser – it should remember you and let you return to the same spot. However, if you open it up on a different browser or device, it likely won’t remember you, so make sure to keep a copy of anything you worry about losing to be safe.

I’ve accidentally submitted something incorrect on my application – how do I update this?

• If you submit multiple applications, we will use the latest application you submitted before the deadline in the assessment and selection process. If you are having trouble accessing the form after your first submission (i.e., the link takes you to a thank you for submitting page), if you open the link using a different browser application (e.g. Firefox instead of Chrome) and it should let you access the form anew. Alternatively, you can also email [email protected]  with your updated information.

Can I apply for an SQA Partnership scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?

• Yes, you can. However, should you be successful for another scholarship it may change your eligibility in terms of SQA scholarship types. For example, should you receive a non-SQA primary stipend (e.g., an RTP) since your application, you would no longer be eligible for an SQA Primary Scholarship, but you still may be eligible for an SQA Supplementary Scholarship.

Can I get a second extension (past 4 years) if my thesis is delayed?

• In general, no. This is due to most university degree resolutions stating that four years full time (not including extended leave or suspensions of study) is the maximum candidature length. See your university’s degree resolutions for details.

Can I reapply if I am unsuccessful?

• Yes, you are most welcome to reapply in future rounds, as long as you still fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Can I get feedback on my application?

• Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on your application.

Can I apply if I am a cotutelle students with an SQA university and another university?

• Yes, you can apply. Should you be successful however, the SQA PhD Scholarship stipend would only cover the period you are in Sydney and based at the SQA university.

I have another question not answered here – who can I ask?

• Please email  [email protected]  and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to apply?

Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below:

Application details for SQA PhD Scholarship (Applications for Stream 4 now open)

SQA PhD S cholarship:    

This scholarship is funded by the New South Wales Government and our partner universities.    

There are 4 streams of SQA PhD Scholarship s , each offering the following:

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship  

• A stipend worth AU$37,684 (2024 rate) per annum (pro rata) for the period of the recipient’s PhD candidature, for a maximum of 4 years (full-time equivalent). The stipend will be reviewed at the end of each year.  
• International tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.  
• Entry to the  SQA PhD Experience Program . Completion of the program is required.    
• Access to SQA career development funding.  

Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship   

•  A small stipend top-up worth the difference of the recipient’s primary PhD stipend and the SQA Primary Scholarship (pro rata and reviewed annually) for the period of their primary PhD stipend.
• International tuition fees waived or covered for international recipients for any period not covered by their primary PhD stipend scholarship. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.  
•   A stipend extension will be applied at the end of your primary PhD stipend, taking your total candidature to a maximum of 4 years. The funding amount provided will be the SQA rate at that time and will be at least equivalent to your University stipend rate.   
• Entry to the  SQA PhD Experience Program . Completion of the program is required.   

Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship  

•  This scholarship  is a stipend extension that will be applied at the end of your primary PhD stipend, taking your total candidature to a maximum of 4 years. The funding amount provided will be the SQA rate at that time and will be at least equivalent to your University stipend rate.   

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship

• Non-stipend scholarship
• Entry to the  SQA PhD Experience Program .
• Access to SQA career development funding (subject to conditions).
• You can be a student at any stage of your PhD at an SQA partner university, although you must have at least an unconditional offer of admission at the time of application. We strongly recommend you apply after you are already enrolled.

Apply  here for the PhD Experience Program scholarship.

SQA PhD Scholarships: 

• You are expected to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at an SQA partner university. PhD projects must be in a field related to quantum technology. Please note you will not be offered an SQA PhD scholarship unless you have a PhD offer of admission.   
• You must have the support of an academic staff member at one of the partner universities. To help you find a potential supervisor, view our list of the  latest quantum research opportunities  or search our  Sydney Quantum Expert list . For more guidance, view our guide on ' How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney .

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship :

• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).   

Stream 2: T he SQA Supplementary Scholarship:    

• You must hold, or have an offer to hold, a primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).   

Stream 3: T he SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship:    

• You can be a student at any stage of your PhD at an SQA partner university, although you must have at least an unconditional offer of admission at the time of application. We strongly recommend you apply after you are already enrolled.

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship:

PhD Experience Program Scholarship (non-stipend)

The application process for the PhD Experience Scholarship does not require supporting documentation. In the application form you will be asked for details about yourself and your PhD - including a brief description of your research project/area (max 200 words).

You will also need the support of your supervisor, and they will asked to endorse your application once completed.

Explore our quantum research opportunities to find a research project that sparks your interest or search our database of Sydney Quantum Experts to find a potential supervisor for your research area of interest. Projects suit both experimentalists or theorists, and driven individuals with backgrounds across a range of disciplines such as physics, computer science, engineering, chemistry or mathematics. For more guidance, view our guide on ' How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney .  

SQA PhD Scholarship: Primary, Supplementary and Supplementary Extension Streams  

Applications will be assessed based on:  

• Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional expertise
• Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and / or alignment to the research strengths of the proposed partner institution
• Alignment of the application to SQA objectives including industry engagement, cross-institutional supervision and / or the potential to contribute to the growth of Sydney’s quantum ecosystem.
• Consideration will also be given to supervisor capacity, diversity of applicants and the diversity of the proposed supervisors (early to mid-career supervisors and supervisors who identify as women).  

The SQA encourages applications from women, Indigenous Australians, applicants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and from those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applicants to include this information as part of their applications.  

Applications will be assessed by researchers and academics within the four partner universities through a competitive assessment process. You should ensure that all information conveyed in your application can be understood by someone within and outside your sub-discipline.  

My supervisor is not on the SQA expert list – does this matter?    

• You are most welcome to apply with a supervisor who is not on the SQA expert list, but you still must have a supervisor from an SQA university and the project must be sufficiently related to quantum tech.    

Do I need to include my co-supervisor in my application?    

• It is not required if you have not organised a co-supervisor at the time of application. You are most welcome to note your co-supervisor in your application if you have one organised.   

Can I apply for an SQA scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?    

• Yes, you can. However, should you be successful for another scholarship it may change your eligibility in terms of SQA scholarship types. For example, should you receive a non-SQA primary stipend (e.g., an RTP) since your application, you would no longer be eligible for an SQA Primary Scholarship, but you still may be eligible for an SQA Supplementary Scholarship.   

Applications to join the 2025 cohort opens on 28 August 2024. Subscribe to our mailing list  to stay in the loop.

Applications are open all year round. Apply  here for the PhD Experience Program scholarship.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree provides training and education with the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality.

A PhD candidate will uncover new knowledge either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Note: Applications for research programs are accepted at any time with successful candidates commencing on a quarterly intake basis.

Available campuses

Bankstown city, campbelltown, parramatta city, parramatta south, research at western.

The award of a PhD is a recognition of successful research experience of international standard in the discipline.

Doctorates are completed within 3 years full-time candidature, with a maximum enrolment of four years full time, or part-time equivalent.

Candidates undertake their independent research under the expert guidance of a panel of supervisors.

Available research projects

You can browse a list of currently available research projects to get you started with finding a supervisor and preparing a research proposal.

Fees and delivery

You should refer to the Higher Degree Research Fees page for information about tuition fees for this program.

Start your unlimited journey today.

"master’s is great because you have the freedom to study what you want and project based subjects allow you to undertake your own design.", your career.

As a Doctor of Philosophy graduate, you can look forward to career opportunities in settings such as:

• Academia, industry, government and non-government organisations
• Scientific research
• Specialist consultancy
• Research management
• Executive-level management

University Researcher

As a researcher at a university, you will undertake world-class research in your area of expertise. You will uncover new knowledge and make a lasting impact in your field of research. Many academic researchers also work as lecturers at their university.

University Lecturer

As a lecturer at a university, you will prepare and deliver subjects in your area of expertise. You will teach students from a wide range of backgrounds and help to further their education in their chosen field. Many university lecturers also combine their work with academic research.

Policy Advisor

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PhD opportunities

Discover everything you need to know about studying a PhD at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, including topics, timeframe and benefits.

The primary postgraduate degree on offer at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing (CAS) is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Research in Astrophysics. This esteemed 3.5 year program enables students to conduct independent research at a high level of originality, relevance and quality, with access to world-class facilities and leading astronomers.

“I enjoy working in our welcoming and diverse department where I am encouraged to be a driven and independent researcher , with opportunities to travel and form international collaborations.”

Grace , PhD student

Why study at CAS

World-class researchers.

With 25 research faculty staff , over 20 postdoctoral researchers and 35-40 current PhD students, CAS is one the largest astrophysics research centres in Australia. 

Our strengths cover all major areas of astronomy, from cosmology and the large-scale structure of the Universe, to quasars and the most distant known galaxies, extreme phenomena (including supernovae, hypernovae, fast radio bursts and gravitational waves), to clusters and groups of galaxies, down to our own Milky Way, its structure and fascinating contents: stars, planets, pulsars, neutron stars and globular clusters.

As the home of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery, OzGrav , and also a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D, Astro3D, CAS is undeniably one of Australia's leading research institutes in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. 

Our PhD contingent is vibrant and diverse, with more than half of our students coming to CAS from overseas. Our PhD students play a central and vital role in the life of the centre, as they conduct a large fraction of our cutting-edge research.

With expertise in observational astronomy at just about all wavelengths (especially optical, infrared and radio astronomy) as well as many different facets of computational and theoretical astrophysics,  CAS astronomers have many and diverse ways to discover, measure, understand, imagine, and simulate the most exciting astrophysical phenomena in our universe.

World-class facilities

CAS astronomers are regularly awarded observing time at major national, international and space-based observatories covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We are the only Australian institute to have access to the world's largest optical telescopes.

The Keck Observatory in Hawaii comprises the Keck twin 10-metre telescopes, and CAS astronomers are now observing there for 10 nights per year, guaranteed through to 2023. And that could be you!

As well our having our own unique remote observing facility for Keck, each year we send two CAS PhD students to Hawaii to observe with Keck through our Keck Observatory Travel Bursaries scheme.

And that's not all! Thanks to Australia's 10 year Strategic Partnership with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) , we also have access to all ESO facilities including the Very Large Telescopes . 

CAS is home to the OzSTAR supercomputer . As one of Australia's most powerful supercomputers, OzSTAR is an excellent research tool in key areas.

Student support

All CAS PhD students are provided with a powerful workstation and access to considerable computational resources, including the 'OzSTAR' supercomputer . Students have access to internal funding to help support travel to telescopes, international conferences, and/or collaborative meetings. 

Achievement record

Graduates often take positions in leading astrophysics institutions around the world.

Around 40 high-achieving students are currently undertaking their PhD studies at CAS. They are a friendly, knowledgeable group of independent-minded astronomers who help each other become experts in their fields.

CAS students come from all over the world, not just Australia: current CAS students come from more than two dozen different countries. Collectively, they speak about 20 different languages fluently.

PhD topics and supervisors

Learn about all the key projects currently being researched and their supervisors.

Current PhD students

We have a large team of PhD students participating in research projects.

How to apply

Follow these simple steps.

We welcome and encourage visits to CAS by prospective PhD students. It's the best way for you to see who we are, what we do and what doing a PhD here is all about. Please contact  Dr. Ryan Shannon  by phone or email to arrange a visit.

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Swinburne Research  administers all of the University's research and graduate studies. For research degree policies and guidelines, see the Research degrees  page. Please note that we do not offer PhD programs online or by distance learning.

Looking for more information?

If you have any questions about study opportunities at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, please feel free to contact our office on +61 3 9214 8000 or at  [email protected] .

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Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UNSW Science will lead you to make a new and original contribution to your chosen scientific specialisation. The PhD is a program of specialist expert knowledge which will open doors to academic, research and professional roles nationally and internationally. 

Entry requirements 

The minimum entry requirement for admission to a PhD includes: 

• an appropriate UNSW bachelor degree with upper second-class honours; or 
• a completed Masters by Research from UNSW with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; or 
• an equivalent qualification from a tertiary institution as determined by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC). 

The minimum requirement for a UNSW scholarship with admission to a PhD include: 

• a four-year bachelor degree with honours class from an Australian institution or equivalent research qualification experience -this qualification must be awarded in a field relevant to the proposed area of research. 

English requirements  

All applicants must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission: UNSW English Language Requirements.

Domestic students: The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) provides Commonwealth-funded higher degree by research (HDR) candidates with an exemption from tuition fees for the duration of their PhD by research for a maximum period of four years' full-time equivalent study. Domestic students are liable for the UNSW Student Services Amenities Fee. 

International students: Full details can be found on the GRS Fees and Costs page for International Postgraduate Research Candidates. Note that international students are exempt from the UNSW Student Services Amenities Fee. 

Scholarship opportunities

We assist postgraduate researchers with a range of prestigious scholarships with annual stipends, living allowances, tuition fee costs, travel scholarships and supplements. Our scholarships support both current and new postgraduate research candidates.  

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Dr. Sydney Buckland is BHECN’s Research Project Coordinator. Dr. Buckland is a Nebraska native and grew up in Western Nebraska. She earned her BSN in 1998 from UNMC Lincoln division, MSN in 2004 from the University of Vermont, and her PhD in Nursing in 2019 from UNMC Omaha division. She also holds a BA in Japanese Language & Literature from Indiana University. She joined the UNMC faculty shortly after graduating in 2019 and is an Assistant Professor.

Before joining BHECN, Dr. Buckland practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner and taught in the Family Nurse Practitioner track in the UNMC College of Nursing. She also did research into the intersection of coronary heart disease and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and perceived stress), particularly in women, rural & underserved populations, and middle-aged adults; as well as the use of mobile apps to expand access to care. She is also interested in mixed methods research.

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University of Sydney AGRTP Scholarship 2025, Australia (Fully Funded)

Ready to pursue a fully funded research scholarship in Australia? Applications are open for the University of Sydney AGRTP Scholarship 2025 in Australia. The University of Sydney is a Top-class world-renowned University. International students from all around the world are welcome to apply for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship at the University of Sydney. This is a Higher Degree Scholarship (HDR) which means Master by Research, and PhD by Research. This scholarship covers all the expenses.

This scholarship is funded by the Australian Government and a separate application is not required. You must submit your application for a research degree program before the application deadline and receive an offer from the supervisor. Australia is a great destination for the international students. There are many scholarships in Australia. You can check the list of BS MS PhD Scholarships in Australia . More details about the Scholarship, the requirements, and the application process are given below.

This Blog Includes:

Details About the University of Sydney AGRTP Scholarship 2025

• Host Country : Australia
• University : University of Sydney
• Degree Level : Masters, PhD (by Research)
• Financial Benefits : Fully Funded
• RTP Scholarship Deadline: Open All Year
• 13 September 2024
• 17 December 2024

The University of Sydney Australian Government RTP Scholarship (International)

International students can apply at any time for the RTP Scholarship. You must apply for the HDR Programs before the deadline set by the University. For the 2025 intake, the deadlines are 13 September 2024 and 17 December 2024.

Scholarship Value

The Value of the Scholarship is $40,109 Per annum which includes:

• Stipend to assist with Living Cost
• Overseas Health Cover
• Tuition Fee Offset
• Holders of the scholarship will receive $40,109 per annum.
• A Relocation allowance of $1,250 for travel from their home country to Sydney.
• Up to $1,250 for travel to return to their home country after successful completion of their degree.
• Thesis Allowance will also be given.

Eligibility Criteria

• You can only apply for the RTP Scholarship if you have received an offer into a higher degree by research programs.
• You can find the HDR Degree programs in this list
• Develop your research proposal and find a supervisor. Before you submit your application, you must first secure a supervisor.
• Follow this guide on how to make a research proposal.
• A bachelor’s degree is required to apply for a master’s by research.
• A master’s degree is required to apply for a PhD in research.
• You also need to meet the English Language Requirements.

Required Documents

• Final research proposal
• Official academic transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
• Supervisor Acceptance Letter
• Proof of Identity
• Two referee reports

How to Apply for the University of Sydney AGRTP Scholarship?

• Select the right degree program. It must be a research degree. You can choose from here . Satisfy the program requirements.
• Receive an acceptance letter. You don’t need to apply separately for the RTP Scholarship.
• Find out how you can apply for the Research degree programs .
• Read more about the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship here .

The Link to the official website is given below.

VISIT HERE TO APPLY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY RTP SCHOLARSHIP

More AGRTP Scholarships:

Deakin University Australia RTP Scholarship 2025 (Fully Funded)

Australian national university agrtp scholarship 2024-25 (fully funded), flinders university agrtp scholarship 2024-25 in australia (fully funded), related articles more from author, anu university research scholarship 2024-25, australia (fully funded), bs ms phd scholarships in australia in 2024 (fully funded), australia awards scholarships 2025 (fully funded) – apply now.

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Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond

Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner

Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don’t know much about the preparation you’ll need and the available job opportunities. If you’re wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We’ll review how to prepare for a career in economics research, what an economics PhD program entails, and what types of opportunities it might bring. Economic education is a core component of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s mission to serve the community. To empower would-be economists, this post provides information for students who seek a career in economics research. We hope this information will be helpful to students interested in economics, regardless of their background and economic situation.  This information is most applicable to students applying to programs in the United States.  

The Breadth of Economics Research  

Academic disciplines conduct research in different ways, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of the types of questions economists ask and how they approach answering them. There are many definitions of economics, but a broadly useful one is the study of how people, organizations, and governments make decisions under different constraints, and how those decisions may affect their outcomes. 

When answering these questions, economists seek to ground their analyses in models and to be quantitatively precise about the effects they assign to any given cause. The range of topics economists can study is wide, but the accepted approaches to answering questions are stricter. Some examples of what economists might ask: 

• How do different public housing programs affect the children who live there? 
• Does a certain type of law encourage businesses to innovate? 
• How will a change in the interest rate affect inflation and unemployment rates? 
• How much does affordable health insurance improve people’s health? 
• How can poor countries eradicate poverty? 

There are many different subfields within economics, including, but not limited to behavioral, econometrics, energy/environmental, development, financial, international, monetary, public, and urban economics. You can familiarize yourself with the latest work in economics by subscribing to working paper series, such as NBER’s New This Week or the New York Fed’s Staff Reports . To get an idea of the breadth of questions economists can answer, you could listen to Stephen Dubner’s “ Freakonomics Radio ” podcast. You may also want to explore the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the New York Fed’s Liberty Street Economics blog, VoxDev , or VoxEU .  

What Is a PhD Program Like?    

Economics PhD programs typically last five to seven years. Unlike masters programs, they are often fully funded with a stipend, though most require students to complete teaching assistant and/or research assistant (RA) work as part of their funding package. In the first two years, students take classes, many of which are mathematically demanding. The rest of the program can include additional classes but is primarily devoted to original research with the aim of producing publishable papers that will constitute the dissertation.  

Faculty advisors are a central part of PhD programs, as students look to them for guidance during the research process. Economics PhD programs are offered within university economics departments, but there are similar programs in public policy and business schools. You can look at their websites to understand any differences in coursework and subsequent job placements. 

What Can You Do with an Economics PhD?  

Upon graduation, students can obtain jobs in a variety of industries. Many PhD students hope to become university professors. Governments and public policy-related institutions such as the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. federal government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also hire economists to work on policy, lead programs, and conduct research. Finally, economics PhD graduates can also find employment at a variety of private sector companies, including banks, economic consulting firms, and big tech companies. The pay for these different positions can vary. According to the American Economics Association (AEA), the average starting salary for economics assistant professors in 2022-23 was approximately $140,000 at PhD granting institutions and $98,000 at BA granting institutions. 

Programs often publish the placements of their PhD graduates, so you can look online to see specific employment outcomes. See, for example, the University of Maryland’s placements . Ultimately, economists are highly regarded as authorities on a variety of topics. Governments, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and non-financial businesses all look to economists to answer important questions about how to best achieve their goals. Thus, earning an economics Ph.D. can potentially help you to influence issues that are important to you. 

Preparing for an Economics PhD Program  

There are several components to an economics PhD program application: college transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Please download the Appendix linked below to learn more about transcripts and letters of recommendation. The Appendix details ways in which you can select coursework, obtain research experience, and develop relationships to position yourself for success as a PhD applicant.  

If you feel that you are too far along in your academic career to take enough of the classes described in the Appendix, this does not necessarily preclude you from pursuing an economics PhD. For example, it’s possible to take some of these classes through a master’s program, or through a pre-doctoral RA job. Some pre-doctoral RA jobs, such as the one here at the New York Fed , may enable you to take classes in preparation for graduate school. If you are concerned about your transcript, reach out to an economist at your university for advice; program standards for coursework and grades vary, and it’s a good idea to get more personalized advice. 

Research Experience   

If you’re interested in becoming an economics researcher and applying to PhD programs, it’s best to get research experience as soon as possible. Working as an RA is a great way to learn how to conduct research and get a better idea of whether it’s the right career path for you. Additionally, it can help you obtain a letter of recommendation for graduate school applications and improve your qualifications.  

All types of academic research can be enriching, but it’s beneficial to gain experience working directly with an economist. To find a position, you can reach out to professors whose work you find interesting or find an RA program at your school. Typical RA tasks may involve data collection and cleaning, as well as running analyses and creating charts to represent results. This is where coding skills become crucial; having taken math, statistics, and econometrics courses will also enable you to take on more responsibilities. 

You may also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, possibly under the supervision of a professor at your university. This research could be self-initiated or part of a course such as a thesis workshop. Self-directed research is a great opportunity to learn about all stages of the research process. It’s also an excellent opportunity to create a writing sample for graduate school applications. Ultimately, though, your motivation for conducting your own research project should be that you want to answer a question.  One thing economists have in common is a love of answering questions using data and theory. 

Research experience is also often obtained after completing an undergraduate or master’s degree. Taking on a full-time RA position before applying to PhD programs is very common and can make you a more competitive applicant. You may either get an RA job working for a professor or participate in a pre-doctoral RA program.  

Research assistant programs are more structured than positions with individual professors or projects, which could be helpful. Universities, parts of the government, think tanks, research organizations, and the Federal Reserve System are all good places to look for research assistant programs. To help you decide which opportunities are most desirable, you may want to ask potential employers : Where do people in this program tend to go afterward? Will I be working directly with an economist? How much of my time will be spent on academic research work? Will I be able to take classes as part of this program? Considering whether an economist will be able to evaluate your performance is an important factor for recommendation letters. The ability to take classes, either through tuition reimbursement or waivers, can also be an important benefit. 

The Research Analyst program here at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one example of these programs and you should check it out here . The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has a large program, and many other regional Federal Reserve Banks have similar programs. In addition, the PREDOC website and the  NBER post listings of RA opportunities. J-PAL and IPA also tend to recruit RAs for economic development projects. Another source of RA opportunities is the @econ_ra account on X. 

Who Should Get a PhD in Economics?  

A PhD may not be for everyone, but it is for anyone—people of all genders, religions, ethnicities, races, and national origins have PhDs in economics. Many economists majored in economics, but others majored in math, physics, or chemistry. Because economics is such an integral part of policymaking, it is important that economists come from a wide range of backgrounds so policy can be stronger and more effective. The inclusion of differing perspectives helps ensure that the contribution of economists to work in public policy, academia, and beyond effectively serves the broadest range of society. 

• Coursework Appendix

Kasey Chatterji-Len is a research analyst in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Research and Statistics Group.

Anna Kovner  is the director of Financial Stability Policy Research in the Bank’s Research and Statistics Group.

How to cite this post: Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner, “Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Liberty Street Economics , May 31, 2024, https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2024/05/thinking-of-pursuing-a-phd-in-economics-info-on-graduate-school-and-beyond/.

You may also be interested in: AEA: Resources for Students

PREDOC: Guidance for Undergraduates

RA Positions-Not at the NBER

Disclaimer The views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author(s).

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Liberty Street Economics features insight and analysis from New York Fed economists working at the intersection of research and policy. Launched in 2011, the blog takes its name from the Bank’s headquarters at 33 Liberty Street in Manhattan’s Financial District.

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