PhD Opportunities in Artificial Intelligence in New Zealand

Funded PhD opportunity at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Computational infrastructure for linked data, health and environmental resilience . The project focuses on developing new computational and geospatial approaches for connecting longitudinal health and social data with environmental information across the lifecourse. Research themes include spatial epidemiology , linked data , GIS/geospatial science , public health , environmental health , data science , and p...

🚀 PhD opportunities are available in control, robotics, and learning-based optimisation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington , New Zealand. The project sits at the intersection of model predictive control (MPC) and reinforcement learning (RL) , with applications to safe, efficient, and adaptive controllers for real engineering systems. Research directions include robotic manipulators and high-precision motion control, quadruped robots and loco-manipulation, and energy systems suc...

PhD opportunity at the University of Waikato (Hamilton Campus, New Zealand) on Sustainable Timber Packaging for Steel Coil Transport . This funded PhD scholarship, developed with Ferrier Industrial Limited , focuses on the sustainability, performance, and compliance of timber packaging and dunnage used for steel coil transport. The project aims to develop reusable and returnable packaging systems that can replace consumable packaging and support circular-economy practices in steel manufacturing,...

PhD opportunity at the University of Waikato (Hamilton Campus, New Zealand) in high-entropy alloys , hydrogen storage , and atomic-scale modelling . The project investigates hydrogenation and dehydrogenation mechanisms in HEAs using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations, with a focus on how composition and atomic-scale structure affect hydrogen absorption/desorption behaviour and the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms. This is an international collaboration in...

PhD opportunity at the University of Waikato, New Zealand in Building Resilient Coasts: Long-Term Dynamics of Nature-Based Solutions . This project focuses on the long-term evolution of coastal nature-based solutions (NbS) for reducing hazards such as storm surge, flooding, and erosion, while also considering ecological co-benefits. The research sits at the intersection of Earth Science , Environmental Science , Civil Engineering , and modelling-based coastal research, with possible emphasis on ...

PhD opportunity at the University of Waikato in Anthropology of Work and Labour . This vacancy is for projects related to anthropology of work and labour within the social sciences. The opportunity is supervised by Dr Bronwyn Isaacs at the University of Waikato in New Zealand . Funding: This is an unfunded vacancy . If admitted to the doctoral programme, you must cover all costs yourself or through an independent scholarship. Eligibility: The general Higher Degrees admission criteria apply. Appl...

PhD Scholarship at the University of Canterbury This PhD project focuses on process systems modelling and digital twins for low-carbon winery energy and water systems. The successful candidate will develop a modular digital twin of winery operations to support more resource-efficient use of energy and water across key systems such as fermentation, refrigeration, hot-water systems, cleaning operations, and water use. The research combines first-principles process models with operational plant dat...

Victoria University of Wellington is promoting the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship , a fully funded PhD opportunity in a wide range of disciplines. The post says the scholarship is open across architecture, business, engineering, health, science , and related areas. It is open to both international and domestic applicants. Funding: about NZ$32,000 per year stipend plus tuition coverage , for up to 3 years . The post also mentions around 110 awards per year . Deadline: 1 November 2026 . This is a...

Fully funded PhD opportunity at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand through the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship . This scholarship is aimed at outstanding international and domestic PhD applicants and offers full tuition fees plus an annual stipend of NZD 32,000 for up to 3 years . Relevant study interests highlighted in the post include Agriculture , Precision Agriculture , Sustainable Innovation , AI , and Technology , making it suitable for students interested i...