ARC future fellowship domestic PhD scholarship in robust autonomy
This scholarship supports domestic PhD students researching robust autonomy in cyber-physical systems under an ARC Future Fellowship, fostering expertise in advanced information technologies.
This prestigious PhD scholarship is open to domestic students passionate about advancing robust autonomy in AI-enabled systems. The research focuses on leveraging neurosymbolic paradigms and model-based testing to enable deterministic testing of AI systems. It explores DSL-guided program induction to replace stochastic AI decision-making with deterministic symbolic logic, making these systems more testable. Additionally, the research transitions from probabilistic testing to testing that provides formal assurance, aiming to revive model-based testing by identifying violation cases against formal system properties.
Key details
- 20246997
- PhD
- Applications close on 31 October 2025
- Domestic
- Information technologies
- $38,500 p.a. (tax-free)
About the scholarship
The research focuses on leveraging neurosymbolic paradigms and model-based testing to enable deterministic testing of AI systems. It explores DSL-guided program induction to replace stochastic AI decision-making with deterministic symbolic logic, making these systems more testable. Additionally, the research transitions from probabilistic testing to testing that provides formal assurance, aiming to revive model-based testing by identifying violation cases against formal system properties.
The scholarship includes collaboration with industry partners, offering opportunities for corporate internships to deploy and evaluate theoretical frameworks in practical, real-world scenarios. Students are required to maintain open-source repositories to host source code and experimental results, promoting transparency and enabling industry adoption. In addition to these outputs, the research targets high-quality publications in prestigious venues such as CAV, ICSE, FSE, UbiComp, and PerCom, under the guidance of supervisors recognised as leaders in their fields.
This scholarship provides a unique opportunity to develop innovative, open solutions to pressing real-world challenges in AI-enabled systems.
Availability
This scholarship is available to eligible candidates to undertake a direct entry three-year PhD. Supervisors from Australia and the USA lead the research, requiring students to travel frequently between the two countries.
Eligibility
Candidates must have a minimum average mark of 80/100 (or equivalent) in their previous degree(s) and hold a bachelor's degree from a university ranked in the top 10 within their country or in the top 500 globally. Prior publications in reputable venues, such as Transactions journals or CORE A/A* conferences, are highly desirable. Ideal candidates should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and driven by a passion for impactful research that integrates academic excellence with industry innovation
Ideal candidates are highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to impactful research that blends academic rigor with industry relevance.
Components
The scholarship comprises:
- a tuition fee offset/scholarship
- a living allowance stipend.
The value of each stipend scholarship is $38,500 per annum (full time, indexed) for three years.
How to apply
To apply for this scholarship, please contact james.zheng@mq.edu.au for any inquiries or further information.
Detailed application instructions can be found on the official application page. Ensure all required documents are prepared and submitted before the deadline.