ARIAM Research Hub PhD Scholarships

1. Background

a. A number of opportunities are available for outstanding PhD scholars to work in a multidisciplinary research team in the Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub Intelligent Robotics Systems for Real-Time Asset Management (ARIAM).

b. The ARIAM Research Hub will train PhD candidates in leading robotics, mechatronics and computer science methods that have real-world applications for the creation of intelligent robotics systems designed to inform better decision-making in the management of infrastructure and assets.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission for full-time enrolment in a PhD program or an unconditional offer of admission for full-time enrolment in a Master’s by Research program with the intent to transfer to PhD after satisfactory completion of the first annual progress evaluation within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants with an unconditional offer of admission under the supervision of a Chief Investigator (CI) in the ARIAM Research Hub will automatically be considered for the Scholarship. A separate application is not required.

c. Applicants must also hold at least an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

d. It is a condition of accepting this Scholarship that recipients withdraw applications for the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships, including any RTP Allowance, RTP Fees Offset (international students only), RTP Stipend or RTP Scholarships.

e. International applicants currently outside Australia must have applied for their student visa before they commence their studies.

f. Recipients may be required to spend a certain amount of time embedded with the industry partner’s offices, as agreed between the supervisor and the industry partner as permitted by the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of academic merit, their area of study and research proposal, or other evidence of research potential.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s) and ARIAM ARC Research Hub Director at the University of Sydney, or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The project and industry partner information will be mentioned in the scholarship offer letter.

b. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate per annum (indexed on 1 January each year), and is maintained through satisfactory academic performance, as per the below duration:

I. up to 1 year for a Master’s by Research recipient (full-time equivalent). No possible extension.
II. up to 3.5 years for a PhD recipient (full-time equivalent). No possible extension.

c. The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is also provided subject to satisfactory academic performance, as per the below duration:

I. up to four research periods for a Master’s by Research recipient (full-time equivalent). No possible extension.
II. up to fourteen research periods for a PhD recipient (full-time equivalent). No possible extension.

d. If a scholarship recipient converts from a Master’s by Research to a PhD or vice-versa, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

e. 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 the potential extension period.

f. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered. Recipients can defer the Scholarship for up to three research periods form the original scholarship start date, subject to the approval of their Lead Supervisor as confirmed by an approved deferral of admission.

g. Deferment of Scholarship for more than three research periods is considered on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Engineering or their nominee.

h. The Scholarship recipient cannot transfer the Scholarship to another area of research or change their lead supervisor without the prior approval of the Faculty of Engineering, Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominee.

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

j. No other amount is payable.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. The Scholarship is maintained for PhD students by attending and passing the annual progress evaluation, including all the required candidature milestones and remaining enrolled in their PhD.

b. Progression for Master’s by Research students is subject to attending and passing their first annual progress evaluation, Including all the required candidature milestones and subsequent transfer to a PhD program.

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 lead 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 carers leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their lead supervisor as soon as practicable.

c. Subject to relevant visa conditions, once holders of the Scholarship have completed twelve months of their award, they are entitled to a maximum of twelve weeks paid parental leave during the tenure of the Scholarship. Students applying for paid parental leave should do so at least four weeks prior leave commencement date. Periods of paid parental leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed twelve months of their award may access unpaid parental leave through the suspension provisions. When applying for parental leave, applicant should include at least one of the following documents:

i. letter from medical professional related to pregnancy,
ii. a surrogacy agreement,
iii. birth certificate of the child,
iv. adoption documents, or
v. documentation that substantiates the application.

7. Research Overseas

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

b. The Scholarship recipient may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's lead supervisor, Head of School, Industry Partner Organisation and 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 for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by both HDRAC and the Faculty of Engineering Associate Dean (Research Education). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

c. Suspensions for more than 12 months may be considered for this Scholarship on a case-by-case basis if approved by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Engineering.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their lead 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 academic tuition fees.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Engineering via HDRAC to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the student having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. if a Master’s by Research student does not satisfactorily complete their first annual progress evaluation, complete the required 6 credit points of HDR coursework units, and subsequently transfer to a PhD program,
VI. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend and/or academic tuition fee scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend and/or academic tuition fee scholarship where it is of equal or higher value,
VII. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VIII. if the student 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,
III. the student fails to attend and pass their annual progress evaluation and complete 12 credit points of HDR coursework units by the end of year 2, or
IV. 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 paid to the student, the University may require the student to repay stipend amounts and any other payments made to the student 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.

13. Privacy and Confidentiality

a. The scholarship recipient is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the ARC, the Industry Partner Organisation or the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is not disclosed to a third party without the prior written consent of the University of Sydney, the Industry Partner Organisation or ARC, as appropriate, or as required by law.

b. The scholarship recipient is to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

14. Publications

a. The scholarship recipient (Publishing Party) will provide a copy of all proposed publication materials, together with details of how, when and to whom it is proposed to be published, for the approval of the ARC, the Industry Partner Organisation and University of Sydney to a Research Project Schedule to which the publication relates at least 30 days prior to the proposed submission date for publication (Approval Period).

b. Comments and/or reasonable amendments to the publication can be made by ARC, the Industry Partner Organisation and University of Sydney to protect their Confidential Information and/or Intellectual Property provided they are given to the publishing Party in writing with the approval period.

c. If requested, the scholarship recipient must delay publication of the material or submission of the material for publication for a period not exceeding 60 days to allow appropriate registration of any registrable Project IPRs.

15. Acknowledgement

a. The scholarship recipient agrees to acknowledge the ARC’s support in all Material, publications and promotional and advertising materials published in connection with this Agreement. The ARC will make available, on the ARC website, the form of acknowledgement that the successful applicant are to use.

b. The scholarship recipient agrees ARC’s contribution and support of the project is acknowledged in a prominent place and in an appropriate form acceptable to the ARC when, at any time during or after completion of the project, the successful applicant or the researchers or any other party publishes, produces or is involved in promotional material, which is related to the project.

c. The scholarship recipient must acknowledge the support of the ARC and Project ID IH210100030 in the publication, whilst on this Scholarship. Metadata for the Research Output must include the ARC Project ID, list the ARC as a funding source and contain a permanent DOI for the Research Output. If a DOI is not available, then a permanent Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link must be provided instead to the Research Output.

16. Reporting

a. The scholarship recipient must assist the University meet its reporting requirements as per instruction on the ARC website. .

17. Ethics Approvals

a. Ethics approvals must be obtained and held by the successful recipient for any aspects of the research involving humans or animals for the entire duration of this Scholarship.

18. Thesis

a. The scholarship recipient may include material relating to the conduct and conclusions of Research in a thesis authored by the applicant, which will be made publicly available in accordance with the relevant University’s statutes and regulations.

19. Other Requirements

a. The scholarship recipient must not use other ARC, the Industry Partner Organisation and the University of Sydney’s name or branding or the name of any other party’s Specified Personnel, Students, personnel, or employees or refer to Research Projects undertaken, in any public manner whatsoever including in any capital raising, business, advertising or other promotional material without the written permission of the other relevant parties, which may be granted subject to conditions.

b. Where the scholarship is co-funded by the University of Sydney and industry partners, the scholarship recipient may be required to comply with other conditions related to the research grant which will be outlined in the scholarship offer letter.