Two PhD positions at  UNSW Sydney Australia

School of Computer Science and Engineering, 
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Australia
 
The UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme is part of our dedication to 
harnessing our cutting-edge research to solve complex problems and 
improve the lives of people in local and global communities. Scientia 
scholars will have a strong commitment to making a difference in the 
world with demonstrated potential for contributing to the social engagement 
and/or global impact pillars of the UNSW 2025 Strategy. 
 
We are seeking candidates for two blockchain related projects: 
 
Project 1: Privacy-Preserving Distributed Learning using Blockchain 
Summary:
Deep learning algorithms have been shown to achieve high accuracy in tasks 
ranging from image recognition, drug discovery and gene analysis. However, 
their requirement of having a collected large data set, introduces risks in 
privacy and confidentiality. This project proposes to develop a privacy 
preserving decentralized architecture for data-driven deep learning applications 
that is founded in blockchain technology and differential privacy. Our architecture 
will provide data confidentiality, computation auditability, and incentives for 
parties to participate in collaborative training. The outcomes will ensure wider 
adoption of distributed deep learning in disciplines such as healthcare where 
data privacy is a particular concern.  
Supervisory Team: 
Prof. Salil Kanhere (CSE, UNSW), Dr. Surya Nepal (CSIRO's Data61), Dr. Lina Yao (CSE, UNSW)
Link: https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/scientia-phd-scholarships/privacy-preserving-distributed-deep-learning-using-blockchain 
 
Project 2: Efficient Big Data Analytics Framework for Blockchain Data and Events 
Summary: 
Micro-transactions stored in Blockchain create transparent and traceable data and 
events, providing burgeoning industry disruptors an instrument for trust-less 
collaborations. However, the blockchain data and its models are highly diverse. 
To fully utilise its potential, a new technique to efficiently retrieve and analyse the 
data at scale is necessary.Addressing a clear and significant gap in current blockchain
research, this project will produce a new data-oriented system architecture and 
data analytics framework optimised for online/off-line data analysis across Blockchain 
and associated systems. The outcome will strongly underpin blockchain data 
analytics at scale, fostering wider and effective adoption of blockchain applications.
Supervisory Team: 
Dr. Helen Paik (CSE, UNSW), Dr. Liming Zhu (CSIRO's Data61), Prof. Salil Kanhere (CSE, UNSW)
Link: https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/scientia-phd-scholarships/efficient-big-data-analytics-framework-blockchain-data-and-events-0 
 
Each scholarship includes: 
 ■ $41K a year stipend for four years (tax-free and indexed)
 ■ Tuition fees covered for the full 4 year period
 ■ Coaching and mentoring will form a critical part of your highly personalised leadership development plan
 ■ Up to $10K each year to build your career and support your international research collaborations.
 
There is additional travel allowance for conference presentations supported by 
the School of Computer Science and Engineering.

Further information can be obtained from Professor Salil Kanhere (salil.kanhere@unsw.edu.au) 
and Dr. Helen Paik (h.paik@unsw.edu.au)

Expressions for interest will close 12 July 2019 (AEST)
Further information on UNSW Scientia scholarships scheme and 
application process is available at:
https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/?interest=scholarships
FAQ: https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/unsw-scientia-phd-scholarships-faqs