CSIRO Vacation Student

Work on your own project this summer at CSIRO.

Summer scholarships in maths, statistics and computational science

Spend the summer working on your own project at CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics.

  • 25 October 2011 | Updated 14 August 2012

Get hands-on experience working on real-world problems under the supervision of a research scientist or engineer.

About us

CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics (CMIS) applies expertise in statistical, mathematical and computational science toto solve cross-cutting research problems in areas such as health, services, finance and the environment.

Research projects offered in the summer vacation program are in the areas of:

  • statistics
  • mathematics
  • computational science
  • engineering.

"As a vacation scholar myself, many years ago, I think the thing I learnt most was the value of throwing yourself enthusiastically into the opportunities that come along, learning to follow your passion and really just networking to meet as many people as you can."

Dr Louise Ryan, former Chief, CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics

Past projects have included:

Developing innovative new opal grading software, devising early detection techniques for disease outbreaks such as swine flu, finding supply chain solutions for the bulk materials industry, designing optimisation algorithms to improve radiation therapy for cancer patients or using statistical genetics to design a hardy wheat crop for the future.

This exciting program includes training in presentation skills and culminates in a two-day Big Day In Conference for students to network, showcase their work and learn about a research career path.

The Scholarships

Placements for scholarships may be in one of several capital city locations around Australia, with individual projects running for a period of twelve weeks.

Students are paid a stipend of A$1413.23 per fortnight (pre-tax) for the duration of the scholarship.

Students who complete vacation scholarships often go on to study PhDs, and gain employment in CSIRO or universities or pursue other interesting careers.

Eligibility

Scholarships are available to students who have completed at least three years of undergraduate study and have maintained a credit average or higher.

Students will be selected according to their interests and the project needs of the supervisor, taking into account academic merit.

Visit the CSIRO careers portal or read more about what we do in the CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics.