Collaborate
Research collaboration, funded projects and industry partnerships
Partner with SYNTERA on academic collaborations, grant applications, industry-funded research and commissioned (paid) projects in applied AI and connected systems.
Ways to work with us
Six ways to partner
SYNTERA is a research group of 34 researchers, academics and students across 9 countries, led from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. We work with universities, health and care providers, industry and government.
Academic collaboration
Joint research and co-authored papers, shared methods and datasets, visiting researchers, co-supervision of PhD and Master's students, and joint workshops with universities and research institutes.
Funding and joint grant applications
We partner on grant proposals as a research partner or lead investigator, from early scoping to submission, including industry-linked and government-funded schemes. Our director leads a 2026 LAUNCH Partnership Grant on AI-based knee MRI segmentation.
Commissioned and paid research
Organisations can engage the group for a defined project: a proof of concept, data analysis, model development and evaluation, a technical review or an AI feasibility study. Scope, deliverables, IP and fees are agreed in writing before work starts.
Industry and community pilots
Pilot AI and IoT solutions in real settings such as clinics, aged care, farms, classrooms and transport, with privacy, ethics and explainability built in.
Student and talent partnerships
Industry-linked student projects, internships and higher degree research (PhD and Master's) that you co-fund or co-supervise with us.
Knowledge exchange
Seminars, workshops, expert advice and co-designed training on responsible and applied AI for your team or community.
Where we can help
Research areas open to partnership
- AI for Health: disease prediction, medical imaging, remote monitoring, wearables.
- Smart Health Home: elderly care, fall detection, ambient assisted living, home sensors.
- AI for Agriculture: crop disease detection, precision farming, smart irrigation, yield prediction.
- AI for Education: personalized learning, learning analytics, ai tutors, student success.
- Internet of Things: edge ai, sensor networks, iot security, energy-efficient devices.
- Internet of Vehicles: v2x communication, traffic prediction, driver safety, smart transport.
Our methods include machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, explainable AI and cybersecurity. Browse our research areas and 155 publications.
How it works
From first email to results
- Email us at collaborations@syntera.au with your problem or idea, your organisation, timeline and funding situation (if any).
- Scoping conversation. We discuss the goals, data, risks and the best way to work together, whether that is a collaboration, a grant or a paid project.
- Proposal and agreement. We outline scope, deliverables, timeline, budget, data handling, IP and publication terms in writing.
- Deliver and share. We run the project with regular check-ins and share the results, reports, code or papers as agreed.
Who we work with
Universities, institutes, industry and government
Our members come from and collaborate with University of the Sunshine Coast, Southern Cross University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, University of Babylon, among others. Meet the team or read about the group.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can we commission a paid research project with SYNTERA?
Yes. Organisations can engage the group for a defined, funded project such as a proof of concept, data analysis, model development, evaluation or feasibility study. We agree scope, deliverables, timeline, fees, data handling and intellectual property in writing before work starts. Email collaborations@syntera.au to start.
Can we apply for a research grant together?
Yes. We join grant applications as a research partner or lead investigator and can help scope the research, build the partnership and prepare the proposal, including industry-linked and government-funded schemes in Australia and internationally.
Which fields does SYNTERA work in?
Applied AI and connected systems: AI for health, smart health homes, AI for agriculture, AI for education, the Internet of Things and the Internet of Vehicles, supported by machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, language models, explainable AI and cybersecurity.
Who can collaborate with SYNTERA?
Universities and research institutes, hospitals and aged-care providers, farms and agri-businesses, schools and education providers, companies, government agencies and community organisations, in Australia and overseas.
Do you work with partners outside Australia?
Yes. SYNTERA has members in 9 countries and works with partner institutions on several continents. We collaborate remotely and in person.
Where is SYNTERA based?
SYNTERA is led by Dr. Shahrzad Saremi, a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, with co-director Professor Dr. Rania Shibl.
Do you offer student projects, internships or PhD supervision?
Yes. We welcome PhD and Master's applicants, research assistants and interns, and can run industry-linked student projects. See the Join Us page for how to apply.
How do we get started?
Send a short email to collaborations@syntera.au describing the problem, your organisation, timeline and whether funding is available. We will reply to arrange a scoping conversation.