I am seeking highly motivated students with a keen interest in robotics and AI.

For prospective visiting researchers/students:

Please send your CV and research proposal to fangyi.zhang@curtin.edu.au. We welcome Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC) supported researchers and students.

For prospective honours/final-year project students:

If you are passionate about Robotics and/or AI and have a relevant background, feel free to drop me an email to discuss potential opportunities for honours or final-year projects.

For prospective HDR (PhD/MPhil/MRes) students:

1) How to Apply

  1. Select a project/topic in Robotics and/or AI related to ERA Lab’s focuses. You may also explore other projects and supervisors at the page Higher Degree by Research.
  2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) — mention your proposed topic, preferred supervisor(s), CV, transcripts: EOI form (Curtin Forms).
  3. Draft a research proposal (topic, plan, objectives, significance, ethics): guidance under How to apply—proposal.
  4. Apply formally once your supervisor interest is confirmed: follow “Apply now” from the HDR course page: How to apply for a research degree.

    Master of Research (MRes): a one‑year extension of an end‑on Honours research project; see the MRes info sheet (eligibility, RTP fee offsets, scholarships). MRes information sheet (PDF).

Entry & English requirements

International applicants

2) Scholarships & Funding

The Curtin HDR Scholarship and RTP are open to both domestic and international students. However, they are significantly more competitive for international students due to the limited number of available scholarships and the large volume of applications. The selection processes for domestic and international students are conducted separately.

  • Curtin HDR Scholarship (2026 base): AUD $38,400/yr stipend (tax‑free) up to 3.5 years for PhD; domestic packages total ~AUD $70,000/yr (stipend + tuition offset). Scholarship details.
  • Research Training Program (RTP) (Govt): fee offsets + stipend; main round opens 1 July – 18 August annually. RTP scholarships and broader HDR scholarships & grants.

3) After You Enrol: Candidature & Progression

Duration & load

  • HDR degrees are time-based (not semester-based). Typical windows: PhD: 2–4 EFTSL; MRes/MPhil: 1–2 EFTSL. Managing your HDR enrolment.

Supervision & thesis committee

  • You’ll have a Thesis Chair, Principal Supervisor, and Co/Associate Supervisor; establish meeting cadence, record outcomes, and maintain a timeline to meet milestones. Supervision & tips.
  • Supervisor eligibility & responsibilities are set by the Graduate Research School. Candidacy & supervision (staff portal).

Milestones (formal progress reviews)

Curtin uses three formal milestones; each requires documentation and an oral presentation. Milestones overview.

  • Milestone 1 (Candidacy): due typically PhD: by 6 months FT; Masters: by 3 months FT; confirms program definition, facilities, RIG completion, and ethics identification. Milestone 1 requirements.
  • Milestone 2 (Mid‑candidacy): usually PhD: by 18 months FT; Masters: by 12 months FT—progress reflection and completion strategy. Milestone timing (collab/joint HDR page).
  • Milestone 3 (Pre‑submission): at least 3 months before thesis submission; final outcomes and contribution. Milestone timing (collab/joint HDR page).

Ethics & safety (before data collection)

  • Complete Curtin’s Research Initiation Guide (RIG) and relevant risk assessments; obtain approvals for human/animal ethics, biosafety, radiation/laser, etc., before starting data collection. Ethics & safety and detailed human ethics steps via InfoEd. Human research ethics.

Essential facilities & research support funds

  • Guidelines, reimbursement lists, and forms (including Essential Facilities, Research Support Funds, Leave, etc.) are managed by GRS. HDR forms & guides.

4) Thesis, Examination & Viva (Oral Defense)

  • Thesis formats: traditional, by compilation (published papers), or creative work + exegesis; prepare per Curtin’s Thesis Preparation & Submission Guidelines. Thesis & examination and Thesis submission guides (HDR forms).
  • Viva (oral examination): compulsory for doctoral students from 1 Jan 2026; compulsory for master’s from 1 Jan 2027 (2025 pilot concluded). Viva policy & timelines.
  • Submission logistics: Nomination of Examiners, Turnitin similarity checks, author attributions for compiled papers—see the submission checklist. Submitting your thesis.
  • Library resources for formatting, publishing strategy, and compilation options: Theses—Research Toolkit.

5) Career & Skills Development (Optional but Recommended)

Attribution & Acknowledgements