Scholarships in CSIRO Next Generation Graduate Program - Quantum Information Technology: Industry Readiness and Applications

Job No.: 658918

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: The scholarship may be held for up to 3.5 years (full-time) for Research Doctorate (PhD) studies; up to two years for Research Masters studies (MPhil); and up to one year for Honours (Hons) and Coursework Masters (MSubject) studies. 

Students who enrol in the one-year Honours and Coursework Masters programs may apply to a PhD program on completion of their initial program.

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $40,500 AUD per annum for PhD or Masters of Philosophy and $10,000 AUD for Honours and Coursework Masters (tax free stipend)

• Be inspired, every day
• Drive your own learning at one of the world’s top 80 universities
• Take your career in exciting, rewarding directions

The Opportunity

This opportunity is limited to Australian citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, NZ Citizens and a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time.

This program will tackle hurdles that are roadblocking quantum-safe security technologies and innovative industry applications of quantum computing.

It will deliver novel quantum-safe cryptography technologies to protect online systems from QC attacks, and accelerate the adoption of quantum-enhanced cybersecurity, AI, optimisation and simulation algorithms across Australian industries – aligning with the Digital Economy 2030 strategy.

We are looking to recruit postgraduate reseearch students (at either Honours, Masters thesis, or PhD level) for the following three projects with our industry partner Senetas. Senetas is a global leader in cybersecurity based in Melbourne, Australia. Its hardware and software products protect commercial, government, defence and critical infrastructure data in over 40 countries.

• Quantum-Resistant Cryptography for Cloud-Based File Sharing Systems
• Quantum-Resistant Cryptography for Network Encryptors
  • Senetas network encryptors are specialised hardware and software appliances used to encrypt network traffic for government, defence and commercial. The aim of this project is to develop, implement and evaluate prototypes of practical quantum-resistant (aka post-quantum) algorithms for enhancing the security of a Senetas Network encryptor application. Targeted applications include agile high throughput network encryptors, code-signing engines, or key management modules. The outcomes of the project will be applied in novel network appliance products of Senetas.
  • See www.monash.edu/it/nextgen/quantum-information-technology/network-encryptors for more details.
• Quantum-Resistant Digital Provenance
  • Digital provenance refers to the process of verifying and tracing the origins, lifecycle, and integrity of digital content. C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) is an initiative founded by multiple technology and media companies, aiming to address the increasing concern of misleading information and disinformation on the internet. The main objective of C2PA is to establish a standardized approach for digital content provenance, which essentially means tracing the origin and verifying the integrity of digital content. This project will investigate and evaluate enhancements to the security of digital provenance via the application of quantum-safe cryptography to integrate with C2PA standards.
  • See www.monash.edu/it/nextgen/quantum-information-technology/quantum-resistant-digital-provenance for more details.

Diversity drives innovation

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those without a traditional science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background.

We help our students unlock their full potential and shape the future of quantum and quantum-safe emerging technologies, with the understanding that diversity in thought and backgrounds is crucial for innovation.

Our program is designed to bring together a community of creative thinkers from various disciplines, building a collaborative and inclusive environment for learning and discovery.

Preliminary program coursework has been developed to help candidates from different backgrounds achieve proficiency in key topics.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be domestic students as per the Higher Education Support Act at the time of award.

Domestic students include:

a. Australian citizens,

b. Australian permanent residents,

c. a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time; or

d. a New Zealand citizen

Scholarships are available for students at Honours and all postgraduate levels across Australian universities. Visit www.nsclab.org/NGGP-Security/index.html for more information.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship holders must enrol in a full-time degree.

Commonwealth supported students enrolled in Honours and Coursework Masters programs are also eligible to apply for Next Generation Graduates Program scholarships.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our CSIRO Next Generation Graduate Program - Quantum Information Technology: Industry Readiness and Applications.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants will be considered provided that they fulfil the criteria for admission at Monash University and demonstrate excellent research capability. Details of the relevant requirements are available at www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/apply .

Scholarship holders must undertake industry placements with industry partner(s) of the program within which the student enrols.

Students must register and complete the coursework component of the Next Generation Graduates Program within the within the first 12 months of receipt of a scholarship.

Students who receive a scholarship are expected to undertake their training in Australia and endeavour to remain in Australia for two years following completion of their degree.

Applicants must show excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to conduct self-motivated research within a high-performing and target-driven group of researchers. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, over Zoom if necessary. The interviews will be conducted in English.

The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by February 2024.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which shall comprise:

• A curriculum vitae, including a list of published works
• A full statement of academic record, supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• Contact details of two academic referees
• Evidence of English-language proficiency (if you have)
• Any achievement records

Please submit your EOI via www.monash.edu/it/nextgen/quantum-information-technology/apply-now-link .

Enquiries

About the project - Professor Ron Steinfeld, [email protected]

About submitting an EOI - Faculty of IT Graduate Research Team, [email protected]

Closing Date

Wednesday 31 January 2024, 11:55pm AEDT

Please note: Monash University will be closed from Thursday 21 December 2023 until Monday 1 January 2024 inclusive

Supporting a diverse workforce