PhD Scholarship: Enhancing performance in motorsport using computational statistics

uDASH, opens in a new window is collaborating with sports performance analytics experts Biomedical Performance Technologies (BPT) to develop novel statistical tools for improving driver and team performance in motorsport. Earn your PhD while working with industry experts in data science, engineering, physiology, and motorsport.

The goal of this PhD research project is to help improve on-track performance of race drivers and their teams. Research will focus on developing new models, methods, and algorithms to bring together and analyse a suite of real-time and asynchronous data streams from the driver, car, and track. Your research will be translated into actionable opportunities for on-track performance gains, and longer-term career development of the athlete, while also advancing the state of the art in computational statistics research.

Prior experience working either with noisy time series data (particularly high temporal frequency), asynchronous data stream or in developing statistical tools suited to these data sets is desirable, but not mandatory. Strong statistical/mathematical knowledge is required. Experience in computational statistics and machine learning (e.g. any of computational Bayesian methods, time series analysis, signal processing, data fusion, LSTMs, probabilistic machine learning, data assimilation, Kalman filtering, etc.) will be advantageous, as will an interest in human-machine performance.

About you: 

• Scholarship is open to all domestic applicants (Australian citizens or permanent residents)
• Applicants should have a strong honours (or equivalent) degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or Engineering, with a strong mathematics and statistics component.
• An interest in developing novel and leading computational statistics/machine learning methods with real world impact.
• An interest in human-machine performance, or motorsports.

Scholarship:

• $41,600 per annum (tax free*) 
• $20,840 in allowances (training, travel, thesis)
• Cost-of-living allowance, if eligible.

*See ATO for exempt income

Benefits:

• This PhD opportunity will develop bespoke statistical & machine learning tools and discover new insights to improve sports & performance science for athlete development in motorsports, including race strategy and race tactics.
• Be part of a larger research student cohort in Sports Analytics and AI. This PhD opportunity is part of the CSIRO Next Generation Graduates Program (NGGP) consortium of universities, government and industry organisations in
• Sports Analytics and AI: a cohort-based, industry-driven, multi-disciplinary graduate training program.
• You will undertake industry placement with BPT as part of this PhD, and see your original PhD research directly translated in the field. Your research will be implemented in commercial projects and will have real impact on high-performance motorsport.
• Receive additional support for training and career development from Data61/CSIRO, including training in machine learning and AI
• Open up post-PhD career pathways in a range of technical and sporting areas, including: research in computational statistics, machine learning and AI; sensor analytics; human performance analytics and management; roles in race strategy in motorsport; human machine interaction.

How to apply

To apply, send your full CV, university transcripts, and a cover letter describing your interest in this PhD position at UNSW, and how it relates to your skills, to Scott Sisson, opens in a new window, uDASH Director, uDASH@unsw.edu.au.

Application deadline: Applications will be received until the Scholarship is filled. The PhD is expected to start at UNSW in Term 2 (2nd June) or Term 3 (15th September) 2025.