SMP Winter Research Projects
The Winter Research Program is offered for four weeks over the Winter inter-recess period (30 June - 25 July 2025). Students will participate in a 4-week research project, working with a research mentor, and will be expected to actively participate in the program for between 20 and 36 hours per week.
Applications for the Winter Research Program will open on 24 March 2025 and close on 13 April 2025. Refer to the Summer & Winter Research Programs page for more details.
Find your project
A Dive into Theoretical Analysis of Reinforcement Learning
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 4 weeks – 20-36hrs per week. Applicant will be required on-site for the project.
Description: Reinforcement learning (RL) is a machine learning approach that has been successfully applied in many breakthrough applications, including superhuman AI agents for playing board games or video games, the training of large language models. Despite many great successes, there is a lack of theoretical understanding on what makes RL algorithms work. This project will perform an intensive study on existing theoretical analysis of RL algorithms, and perform theoretical analysis to gain new insights if time permits.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables:
- Gain a systematic understanding of existing theoretical analysis on RL algorithms.
- Develop skills for theoretical research and communication of theoretical results.
- A report documenting the work done and the findings.
Suitable for:
- Essential: knowledge of statistical learning theory; or strong background in mathematical statistics and machine learning.
- Desirable: knowledge of reinforcement learning
Primary Supervisor: Dr Nan Ye
Further info: Email nan.ye@uq.edu.au for any inquiry on the project.
Applications of precision on-chip optical sensors
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 36 hours per week over 4 weeks. St Lucia Campus.
Description: Precision Si-chip optical sensors such as acoustic, inertial, and magnetic sensors. These sensors have a host of applications from defence to geological surveying to navigation. Despite many promising in-lab proof-of-principle experiments, the application of this technology to deployment environments has posed significant and longstanding technical hurdles
Such deployment environments may include attachments to autonomous aerial or undersea vehicles all of which present challenges for sensor compatibility.
This project will be working directly with a team of post-doctorate and postgraduate researchers on state-of-the-art nanofabricated optomechanical sensors and investigating their performance.
It will involve all elements of deployment technologies such as designing small footprint vacuum compatible housing and packaging hardware, support electronics miniaturization, and environmental/vehicular noise characterization and mitigation strategies.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: This project will provide students with hands on experience in precision sensing and translational research. It will cover a background on photonic characterization, electronics and hardware design for various applications. Upon successful completion the student shall have the ability to produce a roadmap for full-scale field research.
Suitable for: This project is open to applications from students with a good understanding in physics. Knowledge of optical technology, electronics, CAD design, and/or programming will be beneficial. 3rd or 4th year students preferred.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Benjamin Carey
Further info: Please contact Dr Benjamin Carey: benjamin.carey@uq.edu.au.
Biomechanics of pre-modern weapons
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 32 hours per week, over 4 weeks, from 30 June – 25 July 2025. The work can be done either on-campus or remotely, or a combination of these.
Description: Pre-modern weapons such as swords feature extensively in historical and fantasy entertainment media, attract interest in museums, and are the subject of archaeological and historical study.
From the point of view of physics, such weapons are usually fairly simple: rigid bodies whose motion can be modelled based on Newton’s laws of motion. However, the human user cannot be removed while keeping the system realistic, and including the human greatly complicates the model.
You will develop a model that includes the human. This will require finding a suitable compromise between simplicity and accuracy. Analysing video of the use of such weapons can be used to test models. Such models can be used to better understand the performance and design of such weapons.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: You will gain experience in multi-disciplinary mathematical modelling and computation.
Suitable for: Suitable for students with some experience with mathematical modelling, numerical methods, and basic physics
Primary Supervisor: Dr Timo Nieminen
Further info: Please contact Dr Timo Nieminen: timo@physics.uq.edu.au.
Computational analysis of whole brain neuronal network
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks only. Hours of engagement must be between 20 – 36 hrs per week and must fall within the official program dates (30 June – 25 July 2025). The project will be offered on-site.
Description: A complete dataset of whole brain activity has been acquired and needs to be analysed for publication.
Details of dataset:
This dataset comprises videos of the recording of the neuronal activity in zebrafish brains undergoing environmental changes. These video recordings have been pre-processed so that the individual activity of all neurons have been extracted, along with their corresponding X,Y and Z positions in the brain. The data are available in .mat file format.
Details of the analysis:
To analyse the changes in neuronal activity and brain states, a combination of linear regression, clustering and graph theory methods could be used, as previously done in the group. Any new ideas of analysis are welcome.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables:
Students will gain:
- skills in coding,
- knowledge in neuronal network and brain states,
- skills in oral and writing presentations through reports and group meeting attendance,
- The opportunity to generate a publication from their research.
Suitable for: This project is open to applications from students with a background in coding (ideally Matlab but not necessary) and statistical analysis (again, not necessary).
Primary Supervisor: Dr Itia Favre-Bulle
Further info: Please contact Dr Itia Favre-Bulle prior to submitting an application via email at: i.favrebulle@uq.edu.au.
Energy considerations in bacterial locomotion
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 32 hours per week, over 4 weeks, from 30 June – 25 July 2025. The work can be done either on-campus or remotely, or a combination of these.
Description: General principles of motion, such as driving and resistive forces, and energy requirements, can be used study the scaling of the motion of organisms with size, fluid properties, etc. Such models can apply across many orders of magnitude of size, etc., from bacteria to macroscopic animals.
You will:
- Review existing models, including those developed bacterial for motion, and other organisms
- Use suitable methods, modified as appropriate, to study the effect of interactions with surfaces (and other bacteria?) on the motion of bacteria such as E. coli
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: You will gain experience in multi-disciplinary mathematical modelling and computation, and the application of general principles of scaling. You will suggest models and scaling laws related to energy in bacterial motion. This can include comparing this microscopic case to macroscopic systems such as cargo transport by ships, etc.
Suitable for: Suitable for students with some experience with mathematical modelling, numerical methods, and basic physics
Primary Supervisor: Dr Timo Nieminen
Further info: Please contact Dr Timo Nieminen: timo@physics.uq.edu.au.
Imaging and Manipulating Nanostructures via Scanning Probe Microscopy
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 4 weeks; 20-36 hrs per week. Applicant will be required on-site for the project.
Description: Scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy can be used to manipulate and build nanoscale structures atom by atom. In this project, students will use a new low-temperature STM/AFM installed in Jacobson's laboratory to image and manipulate single atoms and molecules. Potential targets include light-emitting molecules as single-photon emitters for quantum computation or improved OLEDs and magnetic materials for data storage.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: The student will gain experience with ultrahigh vacuum equipment, scanning probe microscopy, material characterisation techniques, and data analysis.
Suitable for: This project is open to students with a background in physics, chemistry, or engineering. Familiarity with condensed matter physics is a plus. Enthusiasm for experimental work is a must.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Peter Jacobson
Further info: Discussions with applicants are encouraged, please reach Dr Peter Jacobson at: p.jacobson@uq.edu.au.
Improving Image Generation via Geometry Constraints
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 4 weeks – 20-36hrs per week. Applicant will be required on-site for the project.
Description: Various neural network-based image generators are capable of generating visually impressive images, but the generated images sometimes may still be unrealistic or lack diversity. This project will explore methods for exploiting geometry constraints to improve the generators by systematic study of existing methods and experimenting with new ideas.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables:
- Gain knowledge on some state-of-the art image generation algorithms.
- Develop the ability to implement advanced image generation neural networks.
- Develop skills in research design, implementation, experimentation, and communication.
- A report documenting the work done and the findings.
Suitable for:
- Essential: knowledge of deep learning, strong programming skills
- Desirable: knowledge of image generation models, such as GANs, VAEs, diffusion models.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Nan Ye
Further info: Email nan.ye@uq.edu.au for any inquiry on the project.
Knots, Seifert surfaces and grids
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: Between 30 June – 20 July 2025, with periodic meetings on site. Approximate hours of engagement 20h/week.
Description: Every classical knot is the boundary of closed, oriented and connected surfaces, known as Seifert surfaces. Grid diagrams are a compact and combinatorial description of knot diagrams.
In this project we are going to understand how to associate Seifert surfaces to grids.
By using some code implementation, we will look at the statistic of the distribution of these surfaces’ genus for different knot types.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: Applicants should expect to learn about basic concepts in low-dimensional topology, learn how to use simple Python code to handle grid diagrams and basic statistical analysis.
Suitable for: Please highlight any particular qualities that individual supervisors are looking for in applicants to assist with the selection process.
For example, this project is open to applications from students with a background in chemistry or 3rd – 4th year students only.
Prior knowledge of basic topology is not required; experience with coding is not required, but strongly recommended.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Daniele Celoria
Further info: For any further questions, email Dr Daniele Celoria at d.celoria@uq.edu.au.
Optical controls for Bose Einstein Condensate experiments
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: For the Winter program, students will be engaged for 4 weeks only. 20-36 hrs. On-site
Description: Bose Einstein condensates (BECs) are used to study quantum phenomena at the macroscopic scale. This has allowed BEC systems to be developed into quantum simulators and extremely sensitive sensors for applications like the search for dark matter.
To do this, it is necessary to have a very high level of control over the lasers used to cool and trap the condensate which have to be turned on and off with specific, precise timing. This is currently performed using shutters that are now obsolete.
The project aims to develop fast optical shutters for use on the BEC experiments. It will involve experimental practice, computer assisted design (CAD), 3-D printing and assembling electronic circuits.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables:
- Practical CAD experience
- Experimental best practice
- Use of lab equipment including oscilloscopes
- Electronic theory and practice including learning to solder
- Understanding of how BECs are formed and used as quantum simulators
Suitable for: Any year students.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Charles Woffinden
Further info: Please contact Dr Charles Woffinden at c.woffinden@uq.edu.au for further information.
Out-of-plane position and force measurement in optical tweezers
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: 32 hours per week, over 4 weeks, from 30 June – 25 July 2025. The work can be done either on-campus or remotely, or a combination of these.
Description: A variety of methods can be used to measure the position of a particle in an optical trap and the optical force acting on it. Perhaps the simplest method is to observe the image of the particle in the trap, and use the relationship between position and force to determine the force. However, this is limited by the frame rate of the camera, and can be difficult for particles out of the focal plane. Direct optical measurement of the force can be faster, and via the force-position relationship can be used to find the position.
You will use computer simulation to investigate the effectiveness and accuracy of using direct optical force measurement to determine the force and position for out-of-plane particles.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: Students will gain experience in optics and computational physics. You will develop an understanding of measurement methods used in optical tweezers.
Suitable for: Students should have some background in introductory physics and computation, Existing software will be used, but some coding in Matlab will be required.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Timo Nieminen
Further info: Please contact Dr Timo Nieminen: timo@physics.uq.edu.au.
Tuning light-matter interactions for precise control of matter
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: Hours of engagement must be between 20 – 36 hrs per week and must fall within the official program dates (30 June – 25 July 2025). Project offered on-site
Description: The aim of this project is to control the position and orientation of birefringent microparticles using structed light.
Isotropic transparent matter such as glass and plastic deflect light based on a single value of Snell’s law. Birefringent transparent materials such vaterite have two values for Snell’s law that depend on the polarisation state of light which gives a hint as to how we can achieve our aim. It should be possible to use the interaction of light and birefringence to both orient and position a particle in space using structured light to produce an optical trapping effect in six degrees of freedom.
The project makes use of cutting-edge optical apparatus to structure invisible laser light for delivery to a microscopic particle. The experiment integrates advanced optics techniques with computer control to perform both the control of the particle and make measurements.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: Successful applicants will learn about modern optics techniques and apply them to understand light-matter interaction.
You will learn how to
- Use and align experimental optical elements
- Analyse scientific data and learn import skills such as error analysis
- Operate scientific apparatus using computer control
At the end of the project, we would like notes of the work performed and any results obtained in the investigation. There is an option to present the work at a group meeting if you would like to practice your presentation skills.
Suitable for: Students who have completed second year physics and have an interest in methods of experimental physics.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Alexander Stilgoe
Further info: Please direct any enquiries for more detail to: stilgoe@physics.uq.edu.au.
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Vaterite Synthesis and Preparation for Rotational Optical Tweezers
Hours of engagement & delivery mode: The project is on-site at St Lucia campus. Approximately 30 hours per week for 4 weeks.
Description: Vaterite are the unsung heroes of rotational optical tweezers as they can be synthesised into spherical microparticles that are strongly birefringent. Their optical properties enable the transfer of spin angular momentum from trapping laser light to generate optical torques and facilitate precise measurements of angular position and velocity. This project aims to refine our synthesis and coating methods to improve their morphology (shape, size, birefringence) and their applicability to complex environments. Following the production and preparation of vaterites, they will be characterised in rotational optical tweezers enabling their use in microrheometry, studies of non-equilibrium systems, and measurements of rotational dynamics in complex systems.
Expected learning outcomes and deliverables: Scholars will gain laboratory skills related to the synthesis and coating of microparticles as well as experience with polarisation-sensitive optical systems. The synthesised microspheres will contribute to several novel rotational optical tweezers experiments. Students may be asked to write a short report on their work.
Suitable for: This project is open to students who have completed first year chemistry and have an interest in optical physics. The project is available for 2nd or later year students.
Primary Supervisor: Dr Alexander Stilgoe
Further info: Please direct any enquiries for more detail to: stilgoe@physics.uq.edu.au.