HDR Scholarship 2022 - Food Agility CRC 3PS: Pig welfare, production decision support and pork provenance in supply chains (Machine learning)

Status: Open

Applications open: 23/08/2022
Applications close: 14/10/2022

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

Xsights is searching for an outstanding research student based at Curtin University to undertake an industry-based PhD focusing on the development of new machine learning approaches and applications within the agricultural technologies domain. The research student will design, develop, implement, and evaluate machine learning models and architectures based on physiological data used to assess animal health and welfare and utilise these measures to identify abnormalities, predict adverse outcomes, and accommodate other applications of value.

This is a high-profile, industry-based research collaboration concerned with developing scalable digital solutions for the agricultural industry to support data-driven decision making and enhance day to day livestock management. The selected student will be afforded the opportunity to engage with multiple key stakeholders including Xsights, the Food Agility CRC , the Curtin Institute for Computation , and the Craig Mostyn Group to utilise research to drive the development of impactful products which solve significant real world problems through the lens of academic frameworks. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated research student with a passion for machine learning and its application within the broader application development space to utilise their expertise to support the creation of transformative digital solutions whilst also providing significant contributions to the broader research community.

 

Required capabilities and expertise

• Background in data science, mathematics, physics or related field with an interest in machine learning design and methodologies.
• Proficiency with programming languages such as Python, R, Java, C/C++, Julia, etc. and the ability to develop prototype applications for testing and validating ideas and approaches. Experience with large scale data storage and analysis and/or software development will be an advantage.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, particularly for technical projects.
• Genuine interest in collaborative research and working on research projects that support the development of new commercial software solutions which emphasise data-driven insights.
• Ability to engage with multiple stakeholders and collaborate effectively within a broader multidisciplinary team.

 

Scope of research work and outputs

• Machine learning models, architectures, and frameworks which enable the health and welfare of livestock animals to be predicted based on physiological data. This would include the ability to detect variations in activity, feeding, and health as well as the provision of data-driven rules which identify healthy animals separate from those in decline. The chosen approach should generalise well to accommodate related opportunities and domains of interest where livestock and physiological data is concerned.
• Framework for identifying correlations and entities of interest from ingested data autonomously.
• Working with the technical team, support the development of a framework for ingesting data and training and deploying machine learning models at scale.
• Working with the product and technical teams, support the implementation of trained machine learning models within a commercial solution context with an emphasis on reporting and surfacing insights and predictions in a way that has utility and impact for end-users.
• All necessary implementation guidelines and documentation.
• Multiple peer-reviewed publications in high quality journals and the ability to present work at conferences.
• There are considerable career-development opportunities for industry-based internships throughout the student’s candidature.
• Student learning and professional development outcomes
• Understanding of and ability to develop machine learning artefacts that are accurate, reliable, and scale effectively.
• Ability to evaluate and refine models with reference to baseline data, as well as proficiency with approaches for updating and enhancing models as new data becomes available.
• Familiarity with physiological data, including necessary pre-processing challenges and contingencies for supply chain development.
• Ability to understand and work towards commercial outcomes and imperatives in a reporting-intensive environment through the application of collaborative research.

About Us

Xsights is an Australian owned company focused on being the leading provider of technology enhanced data collection and insights reporting solutions.

In execution, insights can build operational efficiencies within systems and processes, drive sales and engagement with customers and uncover new revenue streams to grow businesses.

Xsights operates across a variety of industries in a number of markets and is committed to unlocking value and optimising productivity for our valued partners.

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Business and Law

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• International Student

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

• The total dollar value of the stipend: $35,000 per annum (tax free). This is for a stipend only . Successful HDR applicants for admission may receive a 100% fee offset for up to four years.
• Duration of the scholarship: Three years
• Stipend only commences whilst student is onshore.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

• The successful candidate must be able to commence full-time studies on location at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, no later than Monday, 30 February, 2023. There is no negotiation on this.
• Background in data science, mathematics, physics or related field with an interest in machine learning design and methodologies.
• Proficiency with programming languages such as Python, R, Java, C/C++, Julia, etc. and the ability to develop prototype applications for testing and validating ideas and approaches. Experience with large scale data storage and analysis and/or software development will be an advantage.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, particularly for technical projects.
• Genuine interest in collaborative research and working on research projects that support the development of new commercial software solutions which emphasise data-driven insights.
• Ability to engage with multiple stakeholders and collaborate effectively within a broader multidisciplinary team.

Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by February 2023

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Dr Elizabeth Jackson via the EOI form above.

Further Information

Please contact 

Dr Elizabeth Jackson, [email protected] (for questions about the broader project)

Professor Melanie Johnston-Hollitt, [email protected] (for questions about the science and technical aspects of project)

Dr Michael Garrett, [email protected] (for questions about the project’s industry partner and technical aspects of project)

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