Collective Intelligence Assemblies for Cyber Resilience

About this project

Investigate and develop innovative techniques to improve collective cyber resilience

If you are seeking to advance your career in computer science and concerned about improving Australia’s cyber security capacity, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within UniSA STEM.

Our project is located at the intersection of two critical inquiries. First, we want to know how to harness collective intelligence (CI), which is the enhanced capability for problem-solving that arises from people (and computers) working together. Second, how can we leverage CI mechanisms and assemblies to improve cyber resilience, which is organisations’ and societies’ ability to continue functioning despite adverse cybersecurity incidents.  

In contrast to the common notion that humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity, we recognise that humans working together with digital technologies, can be the greatest asset in cyber resilience for organisations and societies.  

We will undertake research that unpacks the notion of cyber resilience from a socio-technical perspective and study CI assemblies within the cybersecurity domain to understand its key components and factors. This will help us to develop and operationalise a CI for cyber resilience framework that captures the key insights and findings from the research.  

You will be based within UniSA STEM, working with a growing, diverse, and multidisciplinary cybersecurity and CI research group. There will be opportunities for you to engage with collaborators and cybersecurity industry partners through the Australia Cybersecurity Collaborative Centre (A3C) at the Lot14 Precinct, an innovation district in the heart of Adelaide dedicated to solving complex global challenges.

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will be involved in mapping the current CI assemblies in cybersecurity, identifying the relevant predictors of CI for specific cybersecurity and cyber resilience tasks, developing and operationalising a CI framework. 

During the project, there will be opportunities to work with other academic and industry collaborators and this hands-on experience will give you a competitive edge in the jobs market. 

The skills you will gain through your project-based research degree will prepare you to be a leader in your field, with practical experience and skills in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity and collaborative and social computing.

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in the UniSA STEM Unit. We link engineering, mathematics, science, defence, cybersecurity, construction management, environmental science, aviation, information management, information technology, and project management, harnessing the connections across disciplines to bring big ideas to fruition.  

Our researchers deliver technical expertise and advice to industry, government and community groups to make commercially viable and sustainable impacts. The Future Industries Institute, Innovation and Collaboration Centre and Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments all provide consultancy and access to advanced technology.  

We integrate research into our teaching, with students working alongside researchers in first-class facilities. What’s discovered one day is taught the next.  
 
In an information-rich world, our people think big, combatting problems, testing solutions and making data-driven decisions. Our graduates are entrepreneurs and trailblazers, who design and build the world they want to live in. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $32,500 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $46,653 per annum (2023 rates). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included.  For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide.

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Monday 2 October 2023.