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Advanced Food Enginomics Research Scholarship

A postgraduate research scholarship
The Advanced Food Enginomics Research Scholarship supports commencing PhD students to conduct research into sensor for smart food packaging.

Highlights

Value Eligibility Open date Close date
University of Sydney's RTP stipend rate or up to $10,000 (for up to 3 years)
  • Unconditional offer for full-time PhD studies in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • Conduct research into sensor for smart food packaging
  • Hold degree in related discipline as per project's requirement
Ongoing Ongoing

How to apply

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

  1. Complete this application form.
  2. Apply for a Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship. Find out more information for domestic or international students.

You may apply for one or more of the two projects in sensor for smart food packaging. Please ensure you read the project description document (pdf, 134.7KB) for additional information.

Applications will close once suitable recipients have been identified. Outcomes will be provided within eight to twelve weeks from the time your online scholarship application form is received.

Benefits

The scholarship will provide an annual stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney's Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate for up to three years, and is maintained through satisfactory academic performance. The recipient may apply for an extension of up to six months.

Academic course fees may be provided to an outstanding international applicant for up to 12 research periods, subject to funding availability and satisfactory academic performance. The recipient may apply for an extension of up to two research periods.

If awarded as a supplementary scholarship, recipients will receive a stipend of up to $10,000 per year (fixed amount) for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance. Successful recipient(s) may apply for an extension of up to six months.

Who's eligible

You must:

  • have an unconditional offer to study a full-time PhD in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • be willing to conduct research in one or more of the specified project areas in sensor for smart food packaging
  • hold a degree in a discipline related to the specified project area
  • have applied for the Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship.

If you are applying for this scholarship as a supplementary scholarship, you must hold one of the following primary scholarships:

  • Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship or equivalent
  • Australian Partnership Scholarship (APS)
  • Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS)

Background

The Centre for Advanced Food Enginomics (CAFE) was established at the University of Sydney in 2017, with the aim of meeting food and health challenges of the 21st century.

The centre is offering two scholarships in the area of sensor for smart food packaging.

1. Background

a. The Centre for Advanced Food Enginomics (CAFE) was established at the University of Sydney in 2017. The Centre aims to meet the food and health challenges of the 21st century by creating and delivering nutritious and wholesome processed foods to improve human well-being.

b. The CAFE is offering two scholarships to support the academic course fees and living cost of two PhD students to undertake research in the area of Sensor for Smart Food Packaging. This project is funded by the Australian Research Council for collaborative research with an international Company. Scholarships are offered for the following research projects:

  • Project A – Sensor Design for Food Safety, Quality and Traceability
  • Project B – Food Sensors Integrated in the Internet of Things (IoT)

c. The CAFE comprises a cross-disciplinary cluster of high profile researchers. All research will be conducted using the state-of-art facilities and equipment located at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies and the Sydney Institute of Agriculture.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission to study PhD in a research area related to Sensor for Smart Food Packaging within the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must have a first-class honours degree or equivalent in Biochemistry and preferably with experience in bacterial detection and genetic medication for Project A – Sensor Design for Food Safety, Quality and Traceability.

c. Applicants must hold a degree in Physics or Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering or Chemistry for Project B – Food Sensors Integrated in the Internet of Things (IoT).

d. Applicants must complete the following tasks to be considered for this Scholarship:

I. Apply for the Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship, and

II. complete an Online Form detailing their willingness to undertake research in one or more of the specified projects areas.

e. Applicants who wish to apply for this Scholarship as a supplementary scholarship must hold one of the following primary scholarships:

I. Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship or equivalent,

II. Australian Partnership Scholarship (APS), or

III. Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS).

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,

II. area of study and research proposal,

III. detailed CV, including a publications list and highlights of research experiences/ projects,

IV. personal statement which demonstrates:

(a) ability to work independently and collaboratively across different research disciplines and industry,

(b) excellent communication and interpersonal skills with high level of competency in both written and spoken English, and

(c) a proven record of exceptional academic and extracurricular performance.

IV. An expression of interest in one or more of the following projects:

(a) Project A: Demonstrated knowledge of material engineering, electrochemistry, biophysics, chemistry and the use of analytics system and equipment; and interest in material processing biosensor design and food safety.

(b) Project B: Demonstrated knowledge of material engineering, polymer chemistry, nanotechnology and biophysics and experience with the fabrication of plastic opto-electronic materials.

V. The recommendation of two academic referees.

b. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor in the Centre for Advanced Food Enginomics.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide an annual stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney's Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) for up to three years and is maintained through satisfactory academic performance. The recipient may apply for an extension of up to 6 months.

b. For international students who commences their studies overseas, the stipend payment for the period spent overseas will be paid on a pro-rata basis and made when students arrive in Australia and is subject to confirmation of satisfactory progress from the lead supervisor.

c. Academic course fees are also provided for a successful international applicant for up to twelve research periods, subject to satisfactory academic performance. The recipient may apply for an extension of up to two research periods.

d. Successful applicants who are awarded a supplementary scholarship will receive a stipend allowance of up to $10,000 per annum (fixed amount) for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance. Successful recipient(s) may apply for an extension of up to 6 months.

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 relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval.

g. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. The Scholarship is maintained for PhD students by attending and passing the annual progress evaluation and remaining enrolled in their PhD.  For PhD students commencing from 2021 onwards, progression also includes completing 12 credit points of HDR coursework units by the end of year 2. 

6. Leave Arrangements

a. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a primary Scholarship will receive 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. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a primary Scholarship 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 lead supervisor as soon as practicable.

c. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a supplementary Scholarship will have the same leave conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship will apply.

7. Research Overseas

a. Primary scholarship recipients commencing in Australia may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. Primary scholarship recipients commencing in Australia 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.

c. Scholarship recipients who are not able to travel to Australia to start their degree, may commence their studies overseas part-time.  Approval must be sought from the student’s lead supervisor and will only be granted where a progress plan has been agreed and application for remote candidature has been approved by the Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominee. Students commencing their degree overseas will receive this scholarship initially for 12 months. The stipend payment for the period spent overseas will be paid on a pro-rata basis and made when students arrive in Australia and is subject to confirmation of satisfactory progress from the lead supervisor.  Extensions beyond 12 months, if scholarship recipients are not able to travel to Australia, will be considered on a case by case basis and subject to the approval of an application to extend their remote candidature.

d. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a supplementary Scholarship will have the same conditions in regards to research overseas of the primary scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a primary Scholarship cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a primary Scholarship 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.

c. Successful recipients of this Scholarship as a supplementary Scholarship will have the same suspension conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary 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. Other requirements

a. The recipient may be required to publish the research findings.

11. Termination

a. Unless terminated earlier under this paragraph, the Scholarship will terminate:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their PhD,

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 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 the recipient holds this Scholarship as a primary Scholarship and receives an alternative primary scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where it is of higher value,

VI. if the recipient holds this Scholarship as a supplementary scholarship, on receipt of another supplementary scholarship that increases the overall supplementary rate paid to a student to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary scholarship of the higher value prevails,

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 review 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. 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.

12. 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.