John A Lamberton Research Scholarships

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to Masters by Research and PhD students who are undertaking research in the areas of research interest of Dr Lamberton which focused on natural products, especially alkaloids, and on the understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity.

b. Established in 2003 by donations received and pledged totalling $1,000,000 from the widow of John A Lamberton (1925-2002).

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD 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. Applicant must be enrolled in one of the following schools:

I. School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
II. School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
III. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science
IV. School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health
V. Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health
VI. Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health

d. Applicant’s research project must align with research into natural products and/or on the understanding of the relationships between chemical structure and biological activity.

e. Applicant must also hold at least one of the following:
I. an Honours degree (First Class) or equivalent in a relevant discipline, or
II. Masters degree with a substantial research component.

f. Applicant must have applied for Research Training Program (RTP) stipend Scholarship at the University of Sydney

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and/or research proposal,
III. research output, and
IV. research supervisor assessment.

b. The Scholarships are to be awarded by the Dean of the Faculty of Science upon the recommendation of the Lamberton Research Scholarships Committee.

c. The Lamberton Research Scholarships Committee is to be chaired by a distinguished senior academic in the University in the field of research associated with the field of the award; other members of the Committee are the Head of the School of Chemistry or nominee, the Head of the Sydney Pharmacy School or nominee, and up to two other senior academics in allied fields such as agriculture, botany, medicine, to be appointed by the Dean of Science.

4. Value

a. Up to six scholarships may be awarded, either as a primary stipend scholarship or as a supplementary stipend scholarship.

b. The primary 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) for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

c. The recipient of the primary stipend scholarship is encouraged to complete their PhD in 3 years. Awardees from the School of Chemistry may apply for an extension of the primary stipend allowance for up to 6 months. Awardees from other faculties and schools may apply for an extension provided funding is available.

d. The supplementary scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $7500 (per annum) for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

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 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. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. A recipient of the 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 supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. A recipient of the 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 supervisor as soon as practicable.

c. A recipient of the supplementary scholarship will have the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship, excluding paid maternity leave.

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. A recipient of the primary scholarship cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. A recipient of the 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. A recipient of the supplementary scholarship will have the same 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.

b. The University may approve a part time scholarship where a student is able to demonstrate a need for part time study (including but not limited to: medical condition, carer’s responsibilities, financial need) or where a faculty recommends part time study for the well-being of the candidate.

c. The PhD Scholarship recipient downgrading their candidature to a Masters by Research is permitted to retain the scholarship with permission from the School of Chemistry.

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,
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 of the primary scholarship 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. for the recipient of the supplementary scholarship, on receipt of another supplementary stipend scholarship(s) that increases the overall supplementary amount paid to a student to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend 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 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. Acknowledgment
a. The Scholarship recipient must acknowledge the support of the John A Lamberton Research Scholarship in any media, publications or presentations arising from the research.