Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Computational Neuroimaging

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to PhD students who are undertaking research in Computational Neuroimaging.

b. This Scholarship is funded by the Sydney Neuroimaging Analysis Centre Pty Ltd, I-MED Radiology Network Limited, 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 full-time in a PhD within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be willing to conduct research into Computational Neuroimaging.

c. Applicants must also hold a Bachelors degree in one of the following areas:

I. computer science,

II. engineering, or

III. applied mathematics.

d. Applicants must have previous research experience in computer vision or artificial intelligence/deep learning.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,

II. two reference letters, and

III. curriculum vitae.

b. Applicants will be required to attend an interview.

c. Preference will be given to applicants with:

I. strong hands-on coding skills in C++,

II. python and other scripting languages to quickly prototype Deep/Machine Learning models on platforms such as TensorFlow/Keras/Pytorch/Theano,

III. experience with medical imaging analysis, specifically in classification, segmentation and multimodal analysis, and

IV. excellent communication skills.

d. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the minimum Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance. No extension will be allowed.

b. The Scholarship will provide academic course fees for up to 12 research periods. No extension will be allowed.

c. The Scholarship value will be paid directly towards the student’s tuition fees after the census date of the applicable semester(s).

d. The Student Services Amenities fee (SSAF) is not included for a successful recipient.

e. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval.

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.

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.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC, the Sydney Neuroimaging Analysis Centre Pty Ltd, and I-MED Radiology Network Limited 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 terminate:

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 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 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. 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.

12. Acknowledgement

a. The Scholarship recipient must acknowledge the support of the Commonwealth in any media, publications or presentations arising from the research whilst on this Scholarship.

13. Privacy and Confidentiality

a. The successful applicant is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the Sydney Neuroimaging Analysis Centre Pty Ltd, I-MED Radiology Network Limited, and the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is not disclosed to a third party without the prior written consent of the Sydney Neuroimaging Analysis Centre Pty Ltd, I-MED Radiology Network Limited, and the University of Sydney as appropriate, or as required by law.

14. Intellectual Property

a. The successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.