LA tROBE Connecting Spatial and Spectral Information: PhD Scholarship 2025

These prestigious La Trobe University scholarships (2), in partnership with the Australian Office of National Intelligence, will be awarded to outstanding applicants interested in connecting spatial and spectral information to understand complex materials systems at the molecular level with machine learning.

PhD Student A will work with tumour sections to develop multiple instance learning and weak supervision / spatial transcriptomics models to individualise tumour type, associated biomarkers and genomic characteristics to high precision. The resulting multipurpose machine learning workflows will lead to rapid precision diagnoses and effective individualized cancer care plans. Coding and user interface development skills will be developed.

PhD Student B will undertake a study analysing mass spectral imaging data streams in real time using machine learning workflows. A pathway for future autonomous instrument control and self-directed experimentation will be developed, recognizing the challenge presented by the integration of multiple complex systems. Coding and user interface development skills will be developed.

This scholarship is open only to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or New Zealand special category visa holders. The Expression of Interest will remain open until the positions are filled.

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineAugust 31, 2025
• Value$40,000 per annum
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorLa Trobe University
• City to studyVictoria
• School to studyLa Trobe University
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

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Benefits

• a stipend scholarship for three and a half years, with a value of $40,000 per annum (pro-rata), to support your living costs 
• a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years
• opportunities to work with La Trobe’s outstanding researchers in state of the art laboratories, and have access to our suite of professional development programs
• collaborative projects, including time spent with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and CSIRO
• opportunities to travel to conferences in Australia and overseas

Requirements

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

• be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand special category visa holders (strict requirement)
• meet the entrance requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy
• be enrolled full-time and undertaking their research at the La Trobe University Bundoora campus

Interview Dates and Process

In selecting successful applicants, we prioritise applications from candidates who:

• have an outstanding record of prior performance
• have completed a Masters by Research or other significant body of research, such as an honours research thesis or lead authorship of a peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above
• have outstanding grounding in one or more relevant disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, machine learning / data science, coding

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview and may be asked to participate in further evaluation activities. The successful applicant will be required to have a working with children check (WWCC) prior to commencing the position, to be paid for by the applicant.

The University will carefully review and consider your expression of interest for this scholarship. Successful candidates will be invited to submit a full application for candidature and scholarship.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

This is an Expression of Interest process. To express your interest in applying, candidates must supply the following information via email to [email protected]:

1. current academic transcript including Masters / Honours grades
2. a statement outlining:
   - their motivation and suitability for this opportunity
   - their specific skills and experience and how these are relevant to the PhD projects
   - how this opportunity fits with their career plans
3. a statement confirming that your are currently an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or New Zealand special category visa holder

Contact Professor Paul Pigram, [email protected] to make an enquiry.

For more information, kindly visit La Trobe scholarship webpage.