A Serious Game for Simulating Fruit Fly Scenarios and Predicting Effective Response Strategies 2025

They are seeking an outstanding candidate for a Flinders PhD Enterprise scholarship, aimed at exploring the application of digital simulations and AI technology for helping fight against the growing threat of fruit flies in South Australia. This exciting project will be carried out in partnership between Flinders University and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). The project will be based in Adelaide, South Australia and will have an industry-based component with SARDI’s crop sciences and biosecurity research divisions.

South Australia is currently the only mainland state where fruit flies have not become established, and maintaining this status is vital for the continuing success of the region’s horticulture industry. Changes in fruit fly numbers can be affected by various environmental, governmental and social factors, including the landscape, weather, temperature, availability of food sources, and restrictions to travel and overseas imports. The South Australian Research and Development (SARDI) institute, under the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), employ various monitoring and management programs to control fruit fly populations. Alongside more traditional insecticides, management includes the placement of pheromone lures and the sterile insect technique (SIT).

However, the overall effectiveness of these procedures and the best practices for identifying suitable times / locations for carrying them out are still far from confirmed. SARDI currently collects a wide range of relevant information about past / current fruit fly populations and management procedures. Modern AI-backed simulations and data mining techniques may prove effective at predicting potential fruit fly hotspots, along with recommending suitable proactive and reactive responses. This proposed project will focus on the planning, development, and evaluation of a simulation-based serious game for modelling and predicting the spread of fruit fly populations across South Australia.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 15, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorFlinders University
• Eligible CountryAustralia , New Zealand

Benefits

The scholarship includes:

• A stipend valued at $42,000* per annum (2026 rate) tax free
  • 2026: $42,000
  • 2027: $44,100
  • 2028: $46,305
  • 2029: $48,620.25
• The scholarship will be awarded for 3.5 years, plus an additional 6 months of leave provision.
• A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents. International students are also eligible to apply, an international fee waiver can be granted.
• An additional research student maintenance fund of $12,000 to support necessary travel and equipment costs.

Requirements

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must:

• be an Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; or are international citizens with the ability to secure necessary student visas; and
• meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant; and
• be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in Semester 2, 2025; or Semester 1, 2026.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more details, visit Flinders University Scholarship webpage