Scholarship in Eating Disorders In weight-related Therapy (EDIT)

1. Background

a. A unique opportunity is available for an outstanding PhD scholar to conduct research examining the intersection between obesity and eating disorders as part of the Eating Disorders In weight-related Therapy (EDIT) Collaboration.

b. The EDIT Collaboration is a world-first international collaboration aiming to identify individual characteristics of adolescents and adults, and the characteristics of treatments, that contribute to eating disorder risk during obesity treatment interventions. We also aim to determine whether specific intervention components influence eating disorder risk.

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

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

2. Eligibility

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to applicants having an unconditional offer of admission by Research Period 2 2023 or being currently enrolled full-time in a PhD within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must conduct research examining the intersection between obesity and eating disorders in adolescents and/ or adults and related to the work of the Eating Disorders In weight-related Therapy (EDIT) Collaboration,..

c. Applicants must be a domestic student.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. cover letter detailing interest in subject area, and
III. two references from academic referees.

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

c. 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. A full-time enrolled recipient will receive a stipend allowance of $35,000 per annum (fixed rate) for up to 3.5 years.

b. Should the recipient also in receipt of another stipend scholarship worth $25,000 per annum or above, this scholarship value will be reduced to $10,000 per annum.

c. Part-time scholarship may be considered on extenuating circumstances by the Associate Dean (Research Education) and the supervisor.

d. If the scholarship duration is not complete by the 31 December 2026 the scholarship will be automatically terminated.

e. No extension will be allowed.

f. The recipient must commence the Scholarship by Research Period 2, 2023.

g. 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.

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 carers 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 and must comply with Australian COVID-19 travel restrictions and those implemented by the University of Sydney.

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 Scholarships for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of Scholarships 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 terminate:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
III. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
IV. 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,
V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend Scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be amended in accordance with clause 4b in this document.
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. 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 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.