CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship: From AI Adoption to Productivity: Human-AI Collaboration, Firm Capability and Regional Productivity in Australia

Funding and duration

four year scholarship package totalling approximately $48,000 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate); four-year scholarship and research training program.

Project overview

Project title

From AI Adoption to Productivity: Human-AI Collaboration, Firm Capability and Regional Productivity in Australia

Project description

Artificial intelligence is spreading rapidly across Australian businesses, yet its regional distribution, capability requirements and productivity effects remain difficult to measure. This project will develop spatially detailed indicators of organisational AI capability investment using large-scale job-advertisement data, company information and complementary regional datasets. The research will examine the intensity, breadth, persistence and composition of AI-related hiring across Australian regions and assess how these patterns relate to regional productivity, employment, wages and workforce transformation, while accounting for differences in local industry and occupational structure.

Working with the University, CSIRO and the industry partner, the student will apply natural language processing, machine learning, entity resolution, geocoding, spatial analysis and econometric methods. The industry partner will contribute geospatial expertise and work with the research team to co-design and test a focused spatial-intelligence demonstrator for regional benchmarking, company discovery or cluster analysis.

The project will deliver regional AI capability indicators and maps, evidence on links between AI capability investment and regional economic outcomes, and practical tools to support responsible AI adoption, workforce planning and place-based productivity policy in Australia.

Supervisory team

University

Name of university supervisor | Henry Nguyen

Name of university | Griffith University

Email address | henry.nguyen@griffith.edu.au

Faculty | School of Information and Communication Technology

CSIRO

Name of CSIRO supervisor | Hien Pham

Email address | hien.pham@csiro.au

CSIRO Research Unit | Technology

Industry

Name of industry supervisor | Khang Quach

Name of organisation | Ubitech Australia Pty Ltd

Email address | ken@ubitech.au

Further details

Primary location of student | Griffith University, 1 Parklands Drive, Southport QLD 4215, Australia

Industry engagement component location | Ubitech Australia Pty Ltd, 50 Aspen Way, Arundel QLD 4214, Australia

Other locations | CSIRO Dutton Park, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia

Ideal student skillset | A strong academic background in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, Statistics, Economics, or a closely related discipline. Experience in Python programming, data analysis, machine learning, natural language processing, or statistical modelling is desirable. Familiarity with handling large and unstructured datasets, such as online job advertisements, web data, or business datasets, would be advantageous. An interest in AI adoption, digital transformation, productivity, labour markets, innovation, or technology policy is highly desirable. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to undertake independent research, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. The project is well suited to candidates who enjoy combining advanced data analytics with real-world industry problems and translating research into practical tools and evidence to support business and public policy.

Application close date | Open until position filled

Apply | Contact Henry Nguyen