La Trobe University Industry Research Scholarship Artificial Intelligence based Data Centre Network Orchestration and Operation
Background
The doctoral scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding candidate to research Artificial Intelligence based Data Centre Network Orchestration and Automation. The scholarship is co-funded by NEXTDC Ltd.
Modern data centres are an indispensable resource for an increasingly digital and technologically empowered human society. Software-defined data centres are driving the digital transformation of organisations, through the virtualisation of services for data ingestion, storage, computing, analysis, and reporting. Software-Defined Networks (SDN) abstract the underlying network hardware by decoupling the control plane from the data plane to provide a logically centralised network intelligence that facilitates and optimises the core operations of such data centres.
Besides logically centralised control, SDN also provides an overall view of the network, software-based traffic analysis, and dynamic updates to messaging rules. More importantly, the SDN itself generates large volumes of data at high velocity and high variety as it provisions these services. The infrastructure, devices and resources within an SDN are becoming more complex and heterogeneous, such that it is challenging to effectively utilise these data streams to organise, manage, secure and optimise the SDN.
This PhD research project aims to explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), Self-Structuring AI to build a sustainable level of automation for the heterogenous software-defined network that delivers the overall operational metrics of the data centre for all stakeholders. The combination of AI and SDN is expected to deliver benefits for network control & management, service orchestration, troubleshooting and pro-active fault mitigation.
Benefits of the scholarship include:
- a La Trobe Research Scholarship for three and a half years, with a value of $28,597.00 per annum, to support your living costs (2021 rate)
- a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years
- relocation allowance and publication/thesis allowance
- opportunity to work with one of the leading data centre companies in Australia, and develop professional expertise in data centre network operations
- opportunity to travel to international conferences/workshops (when possible)
- opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of academic and professional researchers and organisations
Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:
- meet the entrance requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy
- not be receiving another scholarship greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate for the same purpose
In selecting the successful applicant, we will prioritise applications from candidates who:
- will be enrolled full-time and undertaking their research at a La Trobe University campus
- have completed a Masters by Research or other significant body of research, such as an honours research thesis or lead authorship of a peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above
- be an Australian and New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident
Essential skills:
- Strong analytical thinking and working methodology
- Interest in data analytics and its application
- Strong programming skills, preferably in Python and/or C++
- Willingness to work in an environment that highly demands safety, security, and reliability
- The ability to work in a collaborative, agile environment
Highly desirable skills and experience:
- Experience in AI, Machine Learning and Deep Learning
- Knowledge of telecommunication networks or data centre networks
How to apply
- review details on how to apply for candidature
- contact D.Alahakoon@latrobe.edu.au, and email your CV, academic transcripts, a statement addressing the essential and desirable skills and relevant experience by 2 May 2021
Selection process:
- selected applicants will be invited to an interview with the supervisory panel
- shortlisted candidates will be invited for formally apply for this scholarship and admission to the PhD
The University will carefully review your application and consider you for this scholarship. You will be advised of an outcome in May/June 2021.
In your application, clearly indicate that you wish to be considered for the La Trobe University Industry Research Scholarship Artificial Intelligence based Data Centre Network Orchestration and Operation
Please note that
- a research proposal is not required as part of the application
- the successful applicant will be required to have a police check and WWCC prior to commencing the position (to be paid for by applicant)
Who to contact for further information
Professor Damminda Alahakoon, D.Alahakoon@latrobe.edu.au