Embrittlement-Tolerant Alloys for Safe Hydrogen Transmission and Storage

1. Background

a. Australia has committed to achieving a carbon-free economy by 2050 to preserve our climate for future generations. Replacing fossil fuels with clean hydrogen fuel is key to this transition but presents a challenge in terms of infrastructure, as conventional steels fracture easily when they come into contact with hydrogen. This project aims to develop new steels that are safe to use in high-pressure hydrogen pipes. It will focus on understanding the interaction between steel microstructure and hydrogen, ultimately enabling the production of a safe gas infrastructure necessary for a hydrogen economy.

b. This prestigious scholarship is supported by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) of the University of Sydney as part of an Australian Research Council Linkage Project. The selected researcher will be involved in a collaborative network, including international steel manufacturers and world-leading researchers, having opportunities to attend international conferences. For more information, please visit:

I. Embrittlement-tolerant alloys for safe hydrogen transmission and storage

II. Mitigating hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels

III. Characterise high performance green steels for the hydrogen economy

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission to undertake PhD on a full-time basis within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. An 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. Applicants must hold an Honours degree (First Class) or a First Class Honours Equivalent Degree or a Master's degree with a substantial research component in the fields of either Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics.

d. Applicants must be willing to undertake research into embrittlement-tolerant alloys for safe hydrogen transmission and storage under the supervision of Dr Yi Sheng (Eason) Chen.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
I. demonstrated academic achievement,
II. demonstrated research experience,
III. curriculum vitae,
IV. area of study and/or research proposal,
V. personal statement demonstrating interest in the research project
VI. interview.

b. Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum overall undergraduate mark of 80 (scale of 100 pass mark of 50) or equivalent.

e. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) on the recommendation of Dr Yi-Sheng (Eason) Chen.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship provides a living allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (indexed on 1st January each year) for up to 3.5 years for PhD candidates subject to meeting academic progression requirements. The University may approve a part-time Stipend Scholarship* where the University is satisfied that there are special circumstances beyond the student’s control (for example medical conditions, financial hardship, carer’s responsibilities).

*A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and student should seek tax advice from registered tax agents.

b. No extension is possible.

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.

d. The Scholarship recipient must commence full-time PhD research by 20th October 2023 in Sydney.

e. The Scholarship cannot be deferred or 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 passing the annual progress evaluations and maintaining satisfactory progress in coursework.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. Holders of the Scholarship receive up to 20 working days recreation leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. Any unused leave when the Scholarship is terminated or completed will be forfeited. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading. The supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days sick leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with carer responsibility 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 supervisor as soon as practicable.

c. Holders of the Scholarship may receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during their scholarship for medically substantiated periods of illness where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under Clause 6b above. Students applying for additional paid sick leave must do so at the start of absence or as soon as practicable. Periods of additional paid sick leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship.

d. 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 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. Holders of the Scholarship cannot suspend their award within the first six months.

b. Holders of the Scholarship may apply for up to 4 research periods suspension for any reason during the tenure of their award. 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 the Head of the Department/School concerned. 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. Unless terminated according to provisions specified in earlier clauses, the Scholarship will be terminated:

I. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award;
II. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their HDR program;
III. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis;
IV. upon the student having completed 14 research periods full-time study for a PhD,
V. if the recipient receives an alternative stipend scholarship whose value exceeds 75% of the stipend value of this scholarship.
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or;
VII. 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, or;
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. Stipend payments 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.