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Flinders University

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Flinders PhD Enterprise Scholarship

PhD Scholarship in AI and Data Science for Performance Analytics in Elite AFL Flinders University in Australia

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship covering tuition fees for Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents. Includes a minimum 60 FTE day (3-month equivalent) research internship with Port Adelaide Football Club. Scholarship value listed as $42,000 per annum (2026 rate).

Deadline

Oct 25, 2026

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Country

Australia

University

Flinders University

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Keywords

Computer Science
Data Science
Sports Science
Information Technology
Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence
Python Programming
Sports Analytics
Statistics
Statistical Modelling
Programming Language
ML

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About this position

Flinders University is offering an Enterprise PhD Scholarship in AI and Data Science for Performance Analytics in Elite AFL, in partnership with the Port Adelaide Football Club (PAFC). The project is based in Adelaide, South Australia, with an industry-based component at PAFC in Alberton.

The PhD will focus on developing performance metrics and KPIs for elite Australian rules football using league-wide data. Research areas include opposition and team analysis, team play-style categorisation, identification of influential statistical indicators and players, player positional categorisation, and the development of rating and forecasting models to evaluate team performance and support competition benchmarking.

Supervision is by Dr Asara Senaratne, Assoc. Prof. David Hobbs, Assoc. Prof. Maarten Immink, and Dr Dylan Hicks at Flinders University.

Funding includes a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship covering tuition fees for eligible Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents, plus a minimum 60 FTE day research internship with PAFC. The scholarship value is listed as $42,000 per annum (2026 rate).

Applicants should have a background in Sport and Exercise Science, Biomechanics, Data Science, Mathematics/Statistics, or Engineering, and strong applied coding and analytical skills in Python, R, SQL, or MATLAB. Experience or interest in statistical modelling, machine learning, or computational analysis in a sporting/performance context is preferred. Eligibility is limited to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, or permanent residents, and applicants must meet PhD admission requirements.

To apply, prospective candidates should first email the project lead, [email protected], to discuss interest and eligibility. The project lead may then invite candidates to submit a CV and covering letter. The closing date is 25 October 2026.

Funding details

Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship covering tuition fees for Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents. Includes a minimum 60 FTE day (3-month equivalent) research internship with Port Adelaide Football Club. Scholarship value listed as $42,000 per annum (2026 rate).

What's required

Applicants should have a background in Sport and Exercise Science, Biomechanics, Data Science, Mathematics/Statistics, or Engineering. They should demonstrate applied coding and analytical skills in Python, R, SQL, or MATLAB, and have interest or experience in statistical modelling, machine learning, or computational analysis in a sporting or performance context. Eligibility is limited to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, or permanent residents. Applicants must meet PhD admission requirements, including an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent AQF Level 8 qualification with a research component of at least 6 months full-time study achieving Distinction (75%), or equivalent research experience such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or competitive grant track record. The student must be available to commence full-time in semester 1, 2027 or earlier.

How to apply

Contact the project lead, Dr Asara Senaratne, by email to discuss your interest and eligibility before applying. The project lead may invite candidates to apply and request a CV and covering letter outlining qualifications, experience, research experience, and reasons for applying. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed after the closing date.

More information can be found here

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