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PhD Scholarship - Recognising Taonga with AI: Facial Recognition for Kākā Conservation Management
Scholarship details
| Study levels | Ph D |
|---|---|
| Value | $35,000 per annum |
| Close date | Saturday, 15 February 2025 |
| Domestic/international | Both domestic and international |
About the scholarship
Wellington city has regained a taonga, the k膩k膩. However, this large forest parrot faces unprecedented threats in the city, including new diseases, unintentional poisoning, and conflict with humans. The successful PhD candidate will join a research project aimed at creating the world's first artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool for recognising individual birds in complex real-world images, without the need for manual marking. The candidate will contribute to this project by developing new deep learning and computer vision approaches that allow for reliable, efficient, and explainable recognition of individual k膩k膩 in Wellington. Tikanga M膩ori will underpin this mahi to ensure that the development and use of an AI tool for recognising this taonga species adhere to kaupapa M膩ori values.
Entry requirements
We are seeking a highly motivated person with an excellent academic record, a good understanding of artificial intelligence and computer vision/deep learning, and an interest in contributing to cutting-edge AI research on k膩k膩 conservation. The ideal candidate will have: Masters degree with an excellent GPA; Background in artificial intelligence and computer vision, or a related field; Strong statistical, mathematical, and programming skills (preferably in Python); Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; An interest in contributing to the development of AI-based methods in ecology and conservation; Experience in applying AI techniques to real-world problems; A desire to build cultural competency.