Value
The scholarship will run for up to 3.5 years, with the following stipend and benefits:
- Stipend of $41,650 (pa). This is tax free.
- Training budget: $5,000 (total). This is total across the whole PhD.
- Travel budget: $5,000 (total). This is total across the whole PhD (although students are able to apply for additional UTS postgraduate travel and research funding).
- Thesis allowance: $850;
- 6-month industry partner placement.
- Integrated training led by the CSIRO on AI and Emerging Technology.
The CSIRO Sports Data Science and AI Consortium also offers the ability for each of these three students to tap into expertise within other consortium projects across other university partners, including QUT, UNSW and LaTrobe University, and the travel budget supplied can be used to work face-to-face with consortium members (both students and supervisory staff).
Duration
3.5 years
Status
Closed
Closed.
Opens
22/08/2025Closes
29/09/2025Overview
The Human Performance Research Centre is seeking a PhD candidate in Sports Data Science at the Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in partnership with Netball Australia.
Sports Data Science and AI Consortium
This project sits within the CSIRO Sports Data Science and AI Consortium, funded through the Australian Government’s Digital Economy Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Action Plan. The consortium, supported by CSIRO’s Next Generation AI and Emerging Technologies Graduates Programs, will train future sports data scientists across high-performance and para-sports. PhD candidates will complete an 11-week coursework program delivered by CSIRO Data61, gaining foundational AI and digital technology skills while learning from peers with diverse expertise. Candidates will also spend part of their candidature embedded with partner institutions, developing a practical understanding of how research applies directly to sport.
The Project
International netball is more competitive than ever, with extremely small margins between success and failure. The Australian Diamonds’ limited preparation time makes it essential to optimise training camp design, session planning, and in-game coaching decisions. This project will adopt a mixed-methods analytical approach, integrating tactical analysis, physical performance (including spatiotemporal data), technical skills, and mental assessments. The aim is to deliver evidence-based insights that improve training environments and support more effective coaching decisions during competition.
The successful candidate will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team with expertise spanning sport and data science, and will contribute to shaping the next generation of evidence-driven practice in elite netball.
Who is eligible?
- To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be domestic students as per the Higher Education Support Act at the time of award. Under this act, domestic students include:
- Australian citizens,
- Australian permanent residents,
- a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time; or
- a New Zealand citizen.
Selection process
We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds. A background in computer science, software engineering, mathematics or statistics lends itself strongly to this project, but we encourage anyone to apply who has a demonstrated passion for artificial intelligence, data science and software development, including pursuit of projects and training in your own time and outside the traditional academic system.
A candidate with a passion and interest in sport, and an interest in delivering highly-applied partner-focused outcomes is also highly valued.
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic merit, previous research experience, research outputs, and alignment with the University's research priorities.
In addition to ensuring you are eligible for admission to UTS, students should contact Dr John Warmenhovem (john.warmenhoven@uts.edu.au) to discuss suitability before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Applications closed
EOI application open: 22nd August 2025
EOI application close: 29th September 2025
Shortlisted candidates interview between 12th to 20th October 2025
Successful candidate to submit an UTS Online application by 28th October 2025
Successful candidate to enroll latest by 1st January 2025.
Need more information? Contact...
To discuss the research project and or EOI process, please contact
John Warmenhoven (john.warmenhoven@uts.edu.au)
To discuss application requirements, please contact Health.Research.Students@uts.edu.au
Other information
To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants are expected to have a record of excellent academic performance and, preferably, additional relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research activity, awards and/or prizes.
Scholarship holders will have the opportunity to undertake industry placements with industry partner(s) of the program within which the student enrols.
Students will complete the coursework component of the Next Generation Graduates Program within the first 12 months of receipt of a scholarship (so that skills from this program can be integrated into their doctoral work).