Curtin University

What you'll study

The PhD is a research-focused programme centred on an original, supervised research project that culminates in a thesis and an oral examination. Candidates work under the guidance of academic supervisors from Curtin's electrical and computer engineering research group and engage with specialised literature, experiment design, modelling, simulation and prototype development where appropriate.

Although the emphasis is on independent research, typical components and activities include:

• Research project — an extended investigation producing new knowledge, methods, devices or applications in fields such as power and energy systems, renewable integration, electrical machines, control and robotics, communications and signal processing, microelectronics and VLSI, embedded and real-time systems, and machine learning for engineering.
• Research training and coursework — discipline-specific and transferable skills units may be required or recommended, covering topics like advanced signal processing, power system analysis, RF and photonics, hardware description languages and FPGA design, numerical methods, experimental methods and safety, and research ethics.
• Workshops and seminars — participation in internal research seminars, journal clubs and industry engagement events to present work, receive feedback and build professional networks.
• Milestones — confirmation of candidature after the initial research phase, annual progress reviews, publication in peer-reviewed venues, and a final thesis examination (including an oral defence or viva).
• Facilities and methods — access to Curtin’s engineering laboratories, prototyping workshops, sensor and instrumentation suites, and high-performance computing for modelling and large-scale data analysis.

Entry requirements

Entry is competitive and based primarily on research potential and fit. Typical requirements include a relevant honours degree with a strong research component or a master’s degree by research in electrical, electronic, computer or related engineering disciplines. Applicants normally need to provide a concise research proposal or statement of research interests, academic transcripts, and the names of potential supervisors or evidence of supervisory support.

International applicants must meet Curtin’s English language requirements for postgraduate research degrees; individual programmes may specify minimum proficiency and documentation standards. Additional requirements can include a curriculum vitae, academic references, and evidence of prior research outputs where applicable. Candidates may be considered for admission on a full-time or part-time basis subject to supervisory availability and faculty approval.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering pursue a wide range of careers in academia, industry and the public sector. Common pathways include:

• Academic and research roles — postdoctoral research fellowships, academic appointments, research scientists in universities and research institutes.
• Industry R&D — senior engineer, principal research engineer, systems architect or technical lead in sectors such as energy and utilities, telecommunications, automotive and transport (including electric and autonomous vehicles), aerospace, defence and semiconductor industries.
• specialised technical roles — control systems engineer, power systems analyst, embedded systems designer, FPGA/ASIC engineer, signal processing specialist, machine learning engineer for embedded or industrial applications.
• Policy and consulting — technical advisory positions in government agencies, regulators, consulting firms and standards bodies where deep technical knowledge and research experience are valued.
• Entrepreneurship and leadership — technology commercialisation, start-up founding, or senior technical management roles leveraging research-derived IP and prototypes.

Why study at Curtin University

Curtin offers a supportive research training environment with experienced supervisors across core areas of electrical and computer engineering and close ties to industry and government partners. The university emphasises applied and translational research, enabling candidates to work on problems with real-world impact and strong pathways to commercialisation.

Students benefit from access to modern laboratories, prototyping facilities and computing resources, as well as Curtin’s structured higher degree by research professional development program that covers research methods, ethics, writing and career skills. The School fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across computing, data science and materials engineering, broadening the scope of potential projects and networks available to HDR candidates.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact potential supervisors within Curtin’s electrical and computer engineering community to discuss project ideas and supervision arrangements prior to applying.