CSIRO & Netball Australia Sports Data Science & AI PhD Scholarship

The Human Performance Research Centre at the Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in partnership with Netball Australia, is seeking a PhD candidate in Sports Data Science. This project sits within the CSIRO Sports Data Science and AI Consortium, funded through the Australian Government's Digital Economy Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Action Plan. The consortium will train future sports data scientists across high-performance and para-sports. PhD candidates will complete an 11-week coursework program delivered by CSIRO Data61, gaining foundational AI and digital technology skills while learning from peers with diverse expertise. Candidates will also spend part of their candidature embedded with partner institutions, developing a practical understanding of how research applies directly to sport. The project focuses on international netball performance optimization. With extremely small margins between success and failure in elite competition, and limited preparation time for the Australian Diamonds, the research will optimize training camp design, session planning, and in-game coaching decisions. The project adopts a mixed-methods analytical approach, integrating tactical analysis, physical performance (including spatiotemporal data), technical skills, and mental assessments to deliver evidence-based insights that improve training environments and support more effective coaching decisions during competition. The successful candidate will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team with expertise spanning sport and data science, and will contribute to shaping the next generation of evidence-driven practice in elite netball.