PhD Scholarship: AI and Data Science for Performance Analytics in Elite AFL

Description

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate for a Flinders PhD Enterprise Scholarship.

This is an exciting project in partnership between Flinders University and the Port Adelaide Football Club (PAFC). The project will be based in Adelaide, South Australia, and will have an industry-based component with PAFC at Alberton.

This project seeks to develop performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to determine influential statistics for team and player performance, using league-wide data. The work will include opposition and team analysis (including team play-style categorisation), identification of influential statistical indicators and players, and player positional categorisation. The project will also develop rating and forecasting models to evaluate team performance and support competition benchmarking. PAFC aims to lead in the application of AI and data science to elite Australian rules football performance, building a pipeline of analytical tools to support coaching, recruitment and strategic decision-making.

The student will be supervised by Dr Asara Senaratne, Assoc. Prof. David Hobbs, Assoc. Prof Maarten Immink and Dr Dylan Hicks.

Benefits

• A stipend valued at $42,000 p.a. for 3.5 years
• A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents.
• A minimum 60 FTE day (3-month equivalent) research internship with Port Adelaide Football Club.

Eligibility

Ideally, we are seeking a candidate with a background in Sport and Exercise Science, Biomechanics, Data Science, Mathematics/Statistics, or Engineering. Candidates should be able to demonstrate applied coding and analytical skills (e.g. Python, R, SQL, or MATLAB) and an interest or experience in statistical modelling, machine learning, or computational analysis within a sporting or performance context.

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;
• 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 1, 2027, or earlier.

Application information

Prior to submitting an application for the scholarship, prospective applicants are advised to contact the Project lead, Dr Asara Senaratne via email [email protected] to discuss their interest and eligibility for the opportunity.

The Project lead may invite candidates to apply and request a copy of their CV together with a covering letter outlining relevant qualifications, experience, research experience, and reasons for applying for the scholarship.

Applicants will be shortlisted, and interviews will be held in the weeks following the close of applications.

The successful candidate will ideally begin as soon as practicable, subject to negotiation (and not later than semester 1, 2027)