Based Tackle Techniques to Reduce Concussions in Sports Scholarship

1. Background 

a. An opportunity is available for outstanding PhD students to conduct research in a program aiming to reduce sports concussion risks. Concussion in collision sports is a prominent community health concern mostly occurring during tackles. 

b. To make sport safer for all players, our research will reveal how a rugby players’ tackles alters their head forces and how retraining their tackle technique can reduce their concussion risk. Scholarships are offered for the following research projects:

- Project A: 3D Tackle Biomechanics - This PhD scholarship will focus on the analysis of the tackler’s and the ball carrier’s inertial head kinematics and 3D tackle motion measured via the gold-standard of 3D motion capture across two seasons in male adult rugby adult players. This student will develop the skills, experience in complex 3D motion analysis, and this position supports training the next generation our biomechanical researchers. 

- Project B: Video Coding Analysis - This PhD scholarship will focus on the video coding analysis to ascertain if the tackling intervention modifies a player's in-game tackle technique, and if this will be maintained across the season. They will record the field-based game data of 1 of the 2 teams per game across the two seasons. This qualitative video analysis is essential to identify the efficacy of our intervention to change player's tackling behaviour in-game. 

c. This Scholarship is funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Ideas Grant*.

* This scholarship may have tax implications and student should seek tax advice from registered tax agents.

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 within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must undertake research in one of the two specified project areas:

- Project A: 3D Tackle Biomechanics, or

- Project B: Video Coding Analysis  

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. cover letter detailing interest in one of the two projects, and
IV. two references from academic referees.

b. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview.

c. Preference will be given to applicants who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015 and may be asked to provide documentation to confirm their identity.

d. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s). 

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $29,187 (fixed rate) per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. No extension will be allowed. 

c. The recipient must commence the Scholarship by Research Period 3, 2022.

d. If the scholarship duration is not complete by 31 December 2025 the scholarship will be automatically terminated.

e. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered. The commencement of the Scholarship can be deferred if the recipient’s candidature is approved for deferral and approval is received from Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health to defer the Scholarship.

f. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

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. 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 within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.  

b. The Scholarship recipient 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.

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. 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 from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health 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 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. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. 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 (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.