Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Chickpea and Chilli Breeding

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD research student who will undertake research in the molecular breeding of wild relative chickpeas from turkey and red chillies for N fixation traits and flavour development, respectively. This scholarship will support a student undertaking a PhD at the Centre for Carbon Water and Food (Camden, NSW) within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science under the direct supervision of Professor Brent N Kaiser.

b. This Scholarship is funded by Fenice Dorata Pty Ltd (industry partner) through a collaboration with the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at 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 to study full-time in a PhD within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicant must hold an honours degree (First class or Second Class upper) or a Master's Degree with a substantial research component, or equivalent in a related field.

c. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in the molecular breeding of wild relative chickpeas from Turkey for N fixation traits and conduct targeted breeding for flavour enhancement in red chillies.

d. Applicant must be willing to undertake research at the Camden Campus of the University of Sydney and work with industry partners for applied outcomes.

e. Applicants must have a background in the plant sciences with previous skills in chickpea and or red chilli breeding with complimentary skills in either plant molecular biology, plant physiology or plant biochemistry.

f. Applicant must have a willingness to work within a team environment and in some cases willing to work outdoors in protected glasshouse facilities and or field-based locations.

g. Applicants should have approval to drive in Australia, or be willing to secure an Australian driving license permit.

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. curriculum vitae including list of publications and previous research experience, and
IV. personal statement which demonstrates an interest in the research topic and a direction for future career development in the plant sciences.

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

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor (Professor Brent N. Kaiser) in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The Scholarship will also cover overseas health cover for an international recipient (single cover only) for the normal full-time duration of their higher degree studies at the University of Sydney.

c. The commencement date of the Scholarship will be listed in the scholarship offer letter. The scholarship cannot be deferred without prior approval from the research supervisor.

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

e. No other amount is payable.

f. 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 relevant research supervisor 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 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. Intellectual Property

a. The successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney to assign any Intellectual Property (IP) created under the project other than scholarly works or a thesis to The University of Sydney and the Industry partner.

13. Publications
a. The scholarship recipient may publish material relating to the conduct and conclusions of the Research, including the Project IPRs, provided that, prior to publishing any such material the recipient, through their research supervisor, will provide a copy of all proposed publication material, together with details of how, when and to whom it is proposed to be published, for the approval of the Industry Partner Organisation at least 30 days prior to the proposed submission date for publication.

b. The Industry Partner may reasonably request that the material not be published or submitted for publication until is amended to remove any of Confidential Information, and the scholarship recipient should use all reasonable efforts to amend the proposed publication.

14. Privacy and Confidentiality

a. The scholarship recipient is required to keep all research project confidential information disclosed by the industry partner or the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is not disclosed to a third party without the prior written consent of the University of Sydney or the industry partner, as appropriate, or as required by law.