CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship - Visual-LiDAR inertial localisation

1. Background

a. Funded by CSIRO and industry partner Emesent Pty Ltd (the Collaborator), this CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who is undertaking research in Visual-LiDAR inertial localisation and mapping in dynamic environments.

b. These Terms and Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the CSIRO Industry PhD Collaboration Agreement and any subsequent agreements and variations.

c. As part of the CSIRO Industry PhD program, the scholarship recipient will undertake an industry engagement component with the industry partner for at least 3 months.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the candidate having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time PhD studies within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Candidates must be domestic students.

c. Candidates must conduct research in the area of Visual-LiDAR inertial localisation and mapping in dynamic environments.

d. Candidates must be supervised by Dr Viorela Ila from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

e. Candidates must agree to undertake an Industry Engagement Component with the industry partner for at least 3 months.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship of the basis of:
I. academic merit,
II. area of study in Visual-LiDAR inertial localisation and mapping in dynamic environments, and
III. background knowledge.

b. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(S), or their nominated delegate(s), CSIRO and industry partner Emesent Pty Ltd.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a primary stipend allowance of $35,020 per annum (2025 rate, indexed at 3% per annum) for up to 4 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The scholarship will also provide a supplementary stipend allowance of $12,000 per annum (fixed amount) for up to 4 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

c. The scholarship recipient will also have access to a Project Expenses and Development package of $13,000 per annum for up to 4 years from CSIRO.

d. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval from the lead supervisor, CSIRO and industry partner.

e. The scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research or change their lead supervisor without prior approval from CSIRO.

f. No other amount is payable.

g. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Progression is subject to passing the annual progress review and satisfactory academic progress and engagement with CSIRO and industry partner.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carer’s leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, CSIRO, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.

8. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, CSIRO, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC, CSIRO and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend and/or tuition fees.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from CSIRO and Faculty of Engineering Associate Dean (Research Education),
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend fee scholarship where it is of higher value,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave,
VII. If the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave), or
VIII. in accordance with the termination clauses of CSIRO Industry PhD Collaboration Agreement and any subsequent agreements and variations.

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

11. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Code of Conduct for Students and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.

12. Intellectual Property

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney to cover any Intellectual Property (IP) developed under this project.

13. Other Requirements

a. The scholarship recipient must undertake an Industry Engagement Component with the Collaborator for at least 3 months as a sub-component of the research project. This is a precondition for participation. Separate agreements may will be created between the University, the Collaborator and the Student for the conduct of the Industry Engagement Component within 18 months of the course commencing for a full-time student. The Industry Engagement Component will consist of 60 full-time equivalent days of engagement in research and development activities and related to the Student’s area of research.

b. The scholarship recipient must not be in full-time employment while undertaking the PhD degree and/or whilst on receiving this Scholarship.

c. The scholarship recipient must agree to enter and abide all terms and conditions outlined in subsequent student scholarship agreement(s) between the University of Sydney, CSIRO and the industry partner related to the research project and industry engagement component. The agreement(s) will specific terms regarding, but not limited to, industry engagement component, Intellectual Property, thesis, publications and confidentiality. This is also a precondition of participation.

d. An applicant may be selected for the scholarship; however, no scholarship offer will be sent until the applicant has entered into a CSIRO Industry PhD Collaboration Agreement.