Space Domain Awareness Object Characterisation

Who can apply? • Australian Citizens & Permanent Residents • New Zealand Citizens

Start date • No later than February 2025

Industry partner and funding body • Silentium Defence • Defence Trailblazer

Total annual stipend amount • $40,000pa base scholarship • Plus $10,00pa top-up scholarship

Program of study available • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with the University of Adelaide

Over the past several decades, near earth orbits have become increasingly congested as the number of space borne applications grow. There are strong national security and commercial imperatives to develop capabilities for obtaining situational awareness in space. Radar is a mature sensing techniques that can be used in the space domain. Passive radars exploit emitters of opportunity, such as terrestrial broadcasts, to provide the transmitted signals. The subsequent low probability of discovery is particularly attractive for surveillance. However, the lack of control over transmit waveform raises technical challenges for detection and classification. This project will explore novel signal processing approaches to address these challenges. Selentium Defence’s passive radar infrastructure is capable of capturing vast quantities of real data, which will serve as a critical ingredient in the research.

Eligibility criteria

• Australian citizens and defence industry professionals are encouraged to apply. It is expected that this project will require the candidate to have a security clearance which will likely limit applicants to Australian Citizens or citizens of countries within the Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY).
• Applicants with strong background in signal processing, radio frequency (RF) engineering, and electromagnetics.
• Excellent students who hold a Bachelor degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or a related discipline would be suitable and encouraged to apply.
• Applicants with well-developed written and verbal communication skills will be considered favourably
• Be willing to provide your personal details by way of a Student Deed Poll.

Benefits

• Work closely with experts on defence industry led projects
• Translate research into a tangible solution
• $50,000 p.a. tax-free* stipend (pro-rated for eligible part-time students)
• No tuition fees apply
• Acquire a unique set of skills and expertise
• Enhance your employability skills sought after by industry; graduates are highly regarded by employers
• Opportunities for local and international travel
• Work alongside world-leading researchers
• Gain industry experience and grow your networks
• Solve real life problems through industry engaged projects
• Publish your contributions
• Become an expert and make a real impact
• Access paid annual, parental and personal leave. 

More about Defence Trailblazer

The Defence Trailblazer for Concept to Sovereign Capability is a once in a generation opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between defence, academia and industry whilst accelerating research and commercialisation. In partnership with the University of Adelaide (UoA), the University of New South Wales (UNSW), industry partners and supported by the Australian Government, the initiative will skill the workforce of the future, support defence-focussed innovation, and play a leading role in accelerating the delivery of sovereign capabilities for the nation’s security and prosperity...at-speed and at-scale. Learn more.

Industry Research Program

All students supported under the Defence Trailblazer initiative will participate in the Defence Trailblazer Industry Research Program (IRP).

Candidates will be located on-site at both university and industry offices for at least 60 FTE days (prorated for eligible Masters candidates), to enable professional development opportunities in an industry setting.

Defence Research Capability

Academics participating in the Defence Trailblazer IRP are leaders in their fields.

UNSW adds a critical dimension to preparing defence forces across areas as diverse as Autonomous Systems, Hypersonics, Sensors and Space. The UNSW Defence Capability Portfolio showcases UNSW’s excellence in defence research and technology and highlights work across academia, government and industry, as well as with global policy makers, to create a hub of defencerelated knowledge. The vision is to translate this knowledge into impact which can transform Australian and global societies.

There’s no greater reassurance for our community than knowing we’re well prepared to prevent or avert threats to our security. UoA researchers support this in very domain: on land and online; in space, the air and at sea, working extensively with the Department of Defence and defence-related organisations in a variety of ways—as an advisor, research partner and producer of high-quality, career-ready graduates equipped to make our world a better and more secure place.

Find out more about defence research at the University of Adelaide.

How to apply

• Complete an expression of interest
• The primary supervisor will assess your eligibility, and if successful, will prompt your application for admission via University of Adelaide.

Further information

For a confidential discussion contact:

Associate Professor Brian Ng

School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

The University of Adelaide

E: [Email Address Removed]

T: 08 8313 5054

Please note - due to security clearances required, this opportunity is ONLY available to Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents, New Zealand Citizens or international students currently studying in Australia, who are citizens of Five Eyes Alliance Nations.

Defence Industry professionals are encouraged to apply. Want to undertake this opportunity as a Masters instead? Contact Lisa Staines [Email Address Removed], Defence Trailblazer Workforce Portfolio Manager, to discuss further