UQ Winter Research Program
The UQ Winter Research Program provides the chance to road-test research alongside UQ academics and researchers.
The program enables you to extend your knowledge of an area of interest, and to develop your analytical, critical thinking and communication skills.
The Research Experience Programs are open to undergraduate (including honours) and postgraduate coursework students studying at The University of Queensland.
Find your project (Projects available in 2026)
See the list of our available projects available from the School of the Environment below.
Age determination of rare earth element deposits in central Australia
Hours of Engagement:
Two positions are available. Hours of engagement are a minimum of 20 hours per week, with a maximum of 36 hrs per week, on-site at the St Lucia campus between 29 June and July 24, 2026.
Location:
St Lucia
Project Description:
Geochronology is the science of determining the absolute age of rocks and minerals to reconstruct Earth’s geological history, magmatic evolution and timing of specific events (e.g., mass extinctions, emplacement of mineral deposits, metamorphism and alteration etc.). The absolute dating of critical mineral hosted deposits is a fundamental first step in understanding and constraining the magmatic-hydrothermal and structural processes that produce these mineral systems, and subsequently how that knowledge can be applied to the exploration targeting of similar deposits within the same geological terrane.
In this project the applicant has the opportunity to conduct research on the Blueys Folly Prospect situated in the Irindina Province of the Arunta Region, Northern Territory. This is a Rare Earth Element (REE) prospect where unusually high quantities of allanite occur within pegmatite swarms. The goal of this project would be to establish the magmatic crystallisation age for the Blueys Folly pegmatites and associated granites through zircon U-Pb dating to ascertain the specific tectonic event that pegmatite crystallisation is associated with.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables:
Applicants will gain hands on experience in both the processing (e.g., mineral separation techniques) and preparation of samples for radio-isotopic age determination by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The student will participate in data collection and interpretation of U-Pb age data from zircons using LA-ICP-MS equipment at the Radiogenic Isotope Facility (RIF). This will provide the candidate the opportunity to actively contribute to a critical mineral research project with the chance to improve writing and communications skills through contributions to a peer-reviewed publication from their research outputs.
Possible Positions:
2
Suitable Applicants:
This project is open to applications from undergraduate students who have broad interests in the Earth Sciences. Ideally, candidates will have completed Earth Science Level 1 Compulsory Courses and be in the process of enrolling or completing Earth Science Level 2 Compulsory Courses at a minimum. Those students that have a background in geochemistry and strong interests in geochronology are highly encouraged to apply.
Supervisors:
Dr Renjie Zhou and Dr Jack Stirling
Expressions of interest or for additional information on the project please contact Dr Renjie Zhou or Dr Jack Stirling
An AI-computer vision for mosquito species identification (Project #1)
Hours of Engagement:
For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks.
Hours of engagement will be 36 hrs per week and fall within the official program dates (29 June – 24 July 2026).
Location:
St Lucia (in-person)
Project Description:
This winter project aims to help develop a mosquito identification AI-based tool. The student is required to use the pre-designed image data collector to collect mosquito data. The activities may include (1) mosquito experiment setup; (2) scan and collect mosquitoes’ images; (3) data annotations (e.g., label mosquito species); (4) data analysis and visualization; and (5) implement AI models to distinguish them.
Scholars will understand how a complete process of training an AI model is formed and gain skills in mosquito rearing, data collection and preprocessing, data analysis, and the implementation of a simple AI model. For these tasks, the student will be trained and guided through all the steps.
Students should contact the supervisors before submitting an application.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables
Scholars will gain skills in mosquito identification using AI and computer vision
Possible Positions:
1
Suitable Applicants:
This project is open to applications from students with a background in biology, engineering, or computer science/AI disciplines. Having experience in operating image scanners and software. Previous experience working with insects is a bonus but not requirement
Supervisors:
Dr Maggy Lord & Dr Thang Vo-Doan
Students should contact the supervisors before submitting an application.
An AI-computer vision for mosquito species identification (Project #2)
Hours of Engagement:
For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks.
Hours of engagement will be 36 hrs per week and fall within the official program dates (29 June – 24 July 2026).
Location:
St Lucia (in-person)
Project Description:
This winter project aims to develop a mosquito AI-based solution. The student is required to collect mosquito wingbeat frequency data. The activities will include (1) mosquito experiment setup; (2) recording mosquitoes’ wingbeat frequency; (3) data annotations (e.g., label mosquito species); (4) data analysis and visualisation; and (5) implement AI-based classification models.
Scholars will understand how a complete process of training an AI model is formed and gain skills in mosquito rearing, data collection and preprocessing, data analysis, and the implementation of a simple AI model. For these tasks, the student will be trained and guided through all the steps.
Students should contact the supervisors before submitting an application.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables
Scholars will gain skills in mosquito identification using AI and wingbeat frequency.
Possible Positions:
1
Suitable Applicants:
This project is open to applications from students with a background in biology, engineering, or computer science/AI disciplines. Having experience in sound recording and software, as well as working with mosquitoes, is a bonus but not required.
Supervisors:
Dr Maggy Lord & Dr Thang Vo-Doan
Students should contact the supervisors before submitting an application.
Bad blood: Pathophysiological effects of snake venoms upon blood clotting
Hours of Engagement:
For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks. Hours of engagement will be 20-36 hrs per week and fall within the official program dates (29 June – 24 July 2026).
Location:
St Lucia (on-site)
Project Description:
This project will examine variation in the ability of procoagulant Australian elapid snakes to activate blood clotting factors.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables
The scholar will learn how to operate world-class equipment such as a Stago STA-R Max coagulation analyser (the only one in a Southern Hemisphere research laboratory), how to analyse the data, and also how write up the results for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Possible Positions:
2
Suitable Applicants:
Applicants should be second or third year students with a strong academic track record, be able to work independently, and have an interest in venom research.
Supervisors:
Exploring Pacific Populations Using Facebook Data
Hours of Engagement:
For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks. Hours of engagement will be 24 hrs per week and fall within the official program dates (29 June – 24 July 2026).
Location:
St Lucia (hybrid)
Project Description:
This project investigates whether Facebook data can be used to produce reliable demographic estimates across the Pacific region, where official statistics are often limited or infrequently updated. The work focuses on comparing Facebook’s user counts with census and administrative data to assess how well the platform reflects real population patterns.
The analysis will look at three main dimensions: age, country of origin, and geographic location. The project involves collecting and cleaning Facebook Ads data, aligning it with official benchmarks.
The goal is to determine whether Facebook Ads data can serve as a useful supplementary source for demographic estimation in Pacific Island countries and to contribute evidence to broader discussions on the role of digital trace data in official statistics.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables
Participants will develop practical skills and experience that are highly relevant to demography. Key learning outcomes include:
- Hands‑on experience with digital trace data, particularly Facebook Ads data, including extraction, cleaning, and harmonisation.
- Exposure to demographic analysis methods, such as benchmarking against census and administrative data, assessing bias, and evaluating representativeness.
- Understanding of data quality challenges in low‑data environments and how alternative data sources can complement official statistics.
- Development of analytical and communication skills, including producing clear summaries, visualisations, and evidence‑based recommendations.
Possible Positions:
2
Suitable Applicants:
This project is open to students who have completed second or third level courses in human geography.
Supervisors:
Phenomenology in Geography
Hours of Engagement:
For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks.
Hours of engagement will be between 20 – 36 hrs per week and fall within the official program dates (29 June – 24 July 2026).
Location:
Hybrid - in person St Lucia and Online
Project Description:
This project will trace phenomenology in Geography from the very beginnings of the academic discipline in the 18th century through the mid 20th century. We will use primary sources and translations to establish the conceptual beginnings of phenomenology in geography, changing definitions over time, methodological approaches and empirical examples. Work in the project will be accessing documents and archives to identify, trace and document these ideas.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables
Scholars will gain skills in document retrieval, literature assessment and synthesis and produce a final report of their findings. It is anticipated the outcomes of this research will result in one or more academic journal publications.
Possible Positions:
1
Suitable Applicants:
Geography students interested in the history of the discipline and development of theory are encouraged to apply. As many of the original sources are in German the ability to read German is a plus.
Supervisor:
Dr Scott N. Lieske
Students are welcome to contact the supervisor prior to submitting an application
Spatial Analysis of Human Activity Changes after Daylight Saving Shift
Hours of Engagement:
36 hours per week, hybrid work arrangement (St Lucia), four weeks
Location:
St Lucia (hybrid)
Project Description:
This project aims to understand how daylight saving time differences impact population mobility patterns and daily activity rhythms across Australian states and territories. Adopting an innovative empirical approach that draws on bespoke mobile phone data alongside survey data, the project will for the first time examine how, when, and where people move and engage in activities in Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory (which do not observe daylight saving time) compared to states and territories that do implement daylight saving.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Deliverables
Expected outcomes include an enhanced understanding of the actual mobility patterns during daylight saving transitions, new models that identify how misalignment time zones and clock time impacts work, recreation and sleep schedules, business activity, and daily routines, and insights into the demographic and spatial variations in these effects. The project findings will inform evidence-based policy discussions about the costs and benefits of daylight saving time implementation and guide strategies to mitigate disruptions caused by jurisdictional time differences. The student will produce a final report listing methods and findings.
Possible Positions:
1
Suitable Applicants:
Students with a keen interest in spatial analysis may consider this opportunity
Supervisors:
Associate Professor Thomas Sigler
Feel free to contact Thomas Sigler about the project.
Application details
Find out more about the UQ Winter Research Program, including eligibility guidelines and application details.