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

Follow the guideline at the “How to apply for a Higher Degree by Research” page.

Quick overview

  1. Choose a research degree: PhD - Computing, PhD - Electrical and Computer Engineering, MPhil - Computing, or MPhil - Electrical and Computer Engineering.
  2. 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 HDR Projects and Supervisors pages.
  3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) — mention your proposed topic, preferred supervisor(s), CV, transcripts: EOI form (Curtin Forms).
  4. Draft a research proposal (topic, plan, objectives, significance, ethics): guidance under Section 4 at the guideline page.
  5. Apply formally once your supervisor interest is confirmed: follow a formal application invitation which you will receive if your EOI is successful.

    Master of Research (MRes): only for 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.

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

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 2 (Mid‑candidacy): usually PhD: by 18 months FT; Masters: by 12 months FT—progress reflection and completion strategy.
  • Milestone 3 (Pre‑submission): at least 3 months before thesis submission; final outcomes and contribution.

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 (Graduate Research School). HDR forms & guides.

4) Thesis, Examination & Viva (Oral Defense)

5) Career & Skills Development (Optional but Recommended)

Attribution & Acknowledgements