Walayat Hussain
2 months ago
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity Australian Catholic University in Australia
I am offering a fully funded PhD position in Human–AI collaboration, cybersecurity, and agentic AI at Australian Catholic University.
Australian Catholic University
Australia
Jan 16, 2026
Keywords
Description
A fully funded PhD scholarship is available at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) North Sydney campus, in partnership with ReadyTech, focusing on the future of Human–AI collaboration in cybersecurity and agentic AI. The project aims to explore how humans and autonomous AI agents can collaborate to stress-test AI systems for safety, security, and trust. Research topics include orchestrating hybrid Human–AI red teams, designing intelligent role allocation between humans and AI, building interfaces and performance metrics, aligning with industry standards (OWASP, MITRE ATLAS, ISO/IEC 42001, NIST AI RMF), and translating research into real-world industry applications.
The position is based at ACU North Sydney and supervised by Associate Professor Walayat Hussain, an expert in AI, information systems, and computational intelligence. The scholarship is open to both domestic and international applicants and provides a $33,511/year tax-free stipend for 3.5 years, full tuition coverage (~$30,000/year), industry experience, and relocation allowances. Applicants should be passionate about AI, cybersecurity, human–AI teaming, autonomous agents, LLMs, or ethical AI, and be motivated to contribute to the development of safe and trustworthy AI systems.
The application deadline is 16 January 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Associate Professor Walayat Hussain for an initial discussion and review the official scholarship details on the ACU website.
Funding
The PhD is fully funded, offering a $33,511/year tax-free stipend for 3.5 years, full tuition coverage (approximately $30,000/year), industry experience with ReadyTech, and relocation and allowances available. Both domestic and international applicants are eligible.
How to apply
Contact Associate Professor Walayat Hussain for an initial chat (highly encouraged). Review the official scholarship details at the provided ACU link. Prepare your application materials and follow instructions on the university's graduate research school website.
Requirements
Applicants should be passionate about AI, cybersecurity, human–AI teaming, autonomous agents, large language models, or ethical AI. Strategic, research-driven thinkers are sought. International and domestic applicants are welcome. No explicit mention of degree requirements, but a strong background in computer science, information technology, or related fields is expected. No GPA or language test requirements specified.
Ask ApplyKite AI
Professors