PhD Scholarship in Machine Vision for Agricultural Applications, University of Southern Queensland, Australi

APAI Scholarship supported by the ARC in association with a linkage project held in collaboration with the University of Queensland on “Condition Scoring and Weight Estimating using Technology

A scholarship is offered for PhD study in the area of Machine Vision and related measurement. This relates to the assessment and monitoring of the condition of cattle. Data will automatically be gathered of weight, shape and ID tag number. From these, methods will be derived for assessing weight from shape and parentage of calves from their association with the cow they habitually follow, among other significant parameters. The researcher will devise and integrate many of the techniques to be used in the process.

The task will call for skills in software writing, analysis of vision data and electronic signal processing and interfacing.
Purpose

The successful candidate will have a degree in an appropriate branch of engineering. Industrial experience would be an advantage.

The Australian Postgraduate Awards Industry (APAI) are scholarships funded through the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Linkage Projects program. Linkage Projects support collaborative research between higher education researchers and industry, and each year a number of University of Southern Queensland researchers successfully receive funding to undertake a Linkage Project.

Scholarship Value
The Scholarship provides a yearly stipend of $25,000 per annum for a period of 3 years.

Eligibility and Conditions
Nominees for an Australian Postgraduate Award Industry must

be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen;
be enrolled in, or commencing, a full-time research higher degree;
have an appropriate Honours 1 or high 2A (or equivalent) undergraduate degree;
not be receiving similar funding or stipend from a Commonwealth Government Program;
not already have completed a degree at the same or higher level as the proposed candidature; and
not have previously held an Australian Postgraduate Award or APAI unless it was terminated within the first six months of the earlier award.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic merit, research capacity and qualifications/expertise relevant to the proposed research topic of the application of machine vision and other mechatronic techniques to condition monitoring of cattle. Applicants will also need to demonstrate that the eligibility requirements are met and have applied for enrolment or be enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy program full-time on-campus at USQ. Further details on enrolment requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/research/students/default.htm

Submitting an Application
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must provide their curriculum vitae, academic record and the names and contact details of three academic or industry referees. A brief statement on the applicant’s ability to meet the Selection Criteria should also be provided. All documentation must be submitted to:

Office of Research and Higher Degrees
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba Queensland 4350
AUSTRALIA

Electronic or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Closing Date
The closing date for the submission of applications is 31 October 2008

Further Information
Further information about this scholarship can be obtained from the Office of Research and Higher Degrees at orhd[ at ]usq.edu.au. Technical details about the application of machine vision and other mechatronic techniques to condition monitoring of cattle topic can be obtained by contacting Prof John Billingsley, Faculty of Engineering and Surveying at billings[ at ]usq.edu.au