Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Sustainability Research
Highlights
| Value | Eligibility | Open date | Close date |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41,753 p.a. (up to 3 years) |
|
19 March 2025 | 25 May 2025 |
How to apply
Apply here.
Benefits
The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) up to 3 years for a successful PhD recipient, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
Who's eligible
You must:
- have an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study PhD within the School of Physics, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney
- undertake quantitative HPC-based research in sustainability science
- hold at least an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or a Master's Degree with a substantial research component or equivalent in a related field of study.
Please Note: Applicant without an unconditional offer of admission may apply and be selected, however, no scholarship offer will be sent until the applicant has an unconditional offer of admission.
Background
This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to research students who are undertaking research in Sustainability Science, notably on Australia’s future energy transitions to a renewable, low-carbon economy.
This scholarship is funded by DVC Research contribution for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects (LP) ‘Sustainable and secure future energy pathways for Australia’ (LP230201092) between ARC, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the University of Sydney.
This project aims to investigate energy pathways to facilitate Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy, whilst generating jobs and incomes, and building resilience against future geopolitical and climate change. It will generate new knowledge by creating an innovative Integrated Assessment Model for Australia, resulting in a set of sustainable and secure energy pathways. The successful applicant will work with our Partner Investigators at the NSW Department of Primary Industries to inform national policy, and to position Australia as a global leader in climate change research.
We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to undertake pioneering research that reimagines energy system optimisation beyond traditional economic perspectives. This innovative project will develop novel scenarios prioritising resource efficiency, supply-chain resilience, and significant emissions reductions, addressing pressing real-world sustainability challenges. The research will critically evaluate existing energy system optimisation approaches, integrating physical and economic constraints such as material availability, technological feasibility, and environmental impact. The successful candidate will leverage advanced computational methods, including integrated assessment modelling and agent-based approaches, to explore sustainable and resilient energy transition pathways. Collaborating with international experts, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, the candidate will contribute unique insights and practical strategies to advance sustainable socio-economic development.
1. Background
a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to research students who are undertaking research in Sustainability Science, notably on Australia’s future energy transitions to a renewable, low-carbon economy.
b. This scholarship is funded by DVC Research contribution for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects (LP) ‘Sustainable and secure future energy pathways for Australia’ (LP230201092) between ARC, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the University of Sydney.
2. Eligibility
a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study PhD within the School of Physics, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.
b. Applicant without an unconditional offer of admission may apply and be selected, however, no scholarship offer will be sent until the applicant has an unconditional offer of admission.
c. Applicant must undertake quantitative HPC-based research in sustainability science.
d. Applicant must also hold at least one of the following in a related field of study:
a. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent or
b. a Master's Degree with a substantial research component or equivalent.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
I. academic merit,
II. curriculum vitae,
III. area of study,
IV. previous research experience via list of publications,
V. previous coding experience via list of languages (eg Matlab, Python, C++ etc), and
VI. a personal statement which demonstrates commitment to research in quantitative HPC-based research in sustainability science.
b. Preference will be given to applicants with a background in one or more of the following: engineering, mathematics and computation, environmental science, and economics.
c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s).
4. Value
a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) up to 3 years for a successful PhD recipient, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
b. A part-time scholarship may be approved where the University is satisfied that there are special circumstances beyond the student’s control. For example, medical conditions, financial hardship and carer’s responsibilities. A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and recipients should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent.
c. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding any potential extension period.
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 research supervisor.
e. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.
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 attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.
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, 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, 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, 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.
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 the research supervisor,
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 scholarship where it is of higher value,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
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).
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 2023 (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 Student Charter 2020 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 (IP)
a. The recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.
13. Confidentiality
a. The recipient is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the ARC, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is only disclosed to a third party if required by law.
b. All information or data provided must remain confidential unless used for the purposes of the research outlined in these terms and conditions.
14. Publication
a. The recipient must provide ARC, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the University of Sydney with a copy of any proposed publications within 30 days in advance of submitting for publication. Comments and/or reasonable amendments to the publication can be made by ARC and the University of Sydney to protect their Confidential Information and/or Intellectual Property.
b. If requested, the recipient must delay publication of the material or submission of the material for publication for a period not exceeding 30 days to allow appropriate registration of any registrable IPRs.
15. Public Announcements and Association approval
a. The recipient must not use any other party’s name or the name of any other party’s employee, including any specified personnel, or make any announcement in connection with the Research, in any public manner whatsoever including in any capital raising, business, advertising, social media or other promotional material without the written permission of the University and ARC, which may be granted subject to conditions.
16. Acknowledgements
a. The recipient must include an acknowledgment in a prominent place of the support of the ARC for the research including the ARC Project ID (LP230201092). The form of the ARC acknowledgement is available on the ARC website at https://www.arc.gov.au/.
17. Thesis
a. The recipient may include material relating to the conduct and conclusion of the research in a thesis authored by the recipient, which (subject to this clause) will be made publicly available in accordance with the University’s statutes and regulations. In the event a Student thesis contains Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or the University’s confidential information, the recipient may submit such thesis on the basis that any such confidential information is included in an appendix to the thesis which is restricted from public access for a reasonable period of time agreed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development but not exceeding 5 years, and that such course of action will be in full satisfaction of any obligations of confidentiality under this agreement in respect of such confidential information.