Technology & Innovation Phd Scholarship

Are you passionate about delivering cutting-edge research in Artificial Intelligence? Do you want to get paid to contribute to ground-breaking innovations that shape the future of work? Laing O’Rourke and The University of Sydney are seeking a motivated and talented PhD candidate to lead research through a scholarship in the CSIRO NextGen Program: AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure.

The successful candidate will be supervised by The University of Sydney’s Associate Professor Nader Naderpajouh, Head of School of Project Management and Professor Jennifer Whyte, Director of John Grills Institute for Project Leadership and Laing O’Rourke’s Dr Rowan Braham, AI and Predictive Analytics Lead.

About Us:

• Laing O’Rourke is an international engineering and construction company delivering projects from high security military bases and major rail transport infrastructure projects, through to landmark buildings at the transport interface.
• The University of Sydney is home to leading researchers who are finding solutions to the world’s most pressing issues by changing the way we look at them.  

Position Details:

• Title: PhD Position in AI Techniques for Emergency Management and Critical Infrastructure
• Location: The University of Sydney – Sydney, Australia
• Research Focus: Use AI tools and processes to discover, measure and understand the risks that may be present in major construction projects before they commence significant committed activity
• Duration: 3 years, full time
• Stipend: Competitive yearly allowance and commensurate with experience and no tuition fees

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with honours or Master’s degree in the relevant discipline, including Engineering, Social Sciences, Science, Economics

• Understanding and experience with applying diverse sets of AI and general data processes, e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), classifiers, time-series forecasting, organisational network analysis (ONA)
• Strong background in construction project management is advantageous as the translation of the results from these technical approaches to operational impact is an important part of this work
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Eligibility:

• Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen at the time of application.
• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree with honours or Master’s degree
• Reside in Sydney for the duration of the PhD to attend the University of Sydney (no relocation assistance offered)
• Enrol as a full-time PhD student (this cannot be completed part time) 

Why Apply?

• In addition to the stipend, the successful candidate will receive an allowance for training and travel, a thesis allowance and no tuition fees
• This is a great opportunity to work alongside Australia’s largest privately owned construction company