1. Background

a. This Scholarship is funded by the NSW Government to support a PhD student within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES), Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney.  The focus of their research is on groundwater ecosystems in shallow aquifers and the distribution of the occurrence and significance of anti-microbial resistance genes in groundwaters, particularly in rural and regional areas. 

2. Eligibility

a.  Applicants must:

i.  Be full-time PhD candidates within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Faculty of Science University of Sydney,

ii.  Be supervised by Professor Grant Hose,

iii. Hold First Class Honours, or Masters degree with a substantial research component, or equivalent academic qualifications, in aquatic ecology, groundwater field sampling and analysis, genomics and bioinformatics,

iv. Be willing to undertake extended overnight fieldwork in remote locations, including Western NSW, and

v. Be available to commence by research period 2, 2027. 

b. Domestic or international, currently enrolled or prospective PhD candidates are encouraged to apply. 

3. Selection Criteria

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

i.    Area of study,

ii.   Research proposal,

iii.   Academic merit,

iv.  Curriculum Vitae – relevant research experience and outputs

b.  The Scholarship is awarded by the Dean, Faculty of Science, or their nominated delegate(s), on a recommendation of the research supervisor.

c. The Scholarship is offered subject to the successful applicant:

i.  holds an unconditional offer of admission for research period 1 or 2 in 2027, or ii. is a currently enrolled full-time PhD student at the University of Sydney.  

4. Value & Tenure

a.  The Scholarship provides a primary stipend allowance equivalent to University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship rate $44,293 per annum (2027 rate), indexed on 1 January, subject to Annual Progress Review.

b.  The Scholarship recipient who is classified as an international student under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) will also receive a full tuition fee offer.

c.  The Scholarship is offered for 12 research periods. Advance standing applies. 

d.  An extension of up to two research periods could be available subject to approval by relevant delegates. 

e.  No other amount is payable. 

f.  The Scholarship will be offered subject to availability of funding.

5. Deferral

a.  A recipient may defer their scholarship subject to prior approval by the supervisor

6. Progression

a. Holders of the Scholarship is subject to a yearly Progress Evaluation Meeting (PEM) – a progress review against required milestones and is on track to submit thesis on time.

7. Leave Arrangements

a.  Holders of the Scholarship receive up to 20 working days recreation leave every 4 research periods of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. Any unused leave when the Scholarship is terminated or completed will be forfeited. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading. The supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days personal leave every 4 research periods of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. 

c. Holders of the Scholarship may receive additional paid personal leave of up to a total of 60 working days during the life of the Scholarship for medically substantiated periods of illness or family caring responsibilities where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements vailable under clause 7b above. Students applying for additional paid personal leave must do so at the start of absence or as soon as practicable. Periods of additional paid personal leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. 

d. Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days paid family and domestic violence leave every 4 research periods of the Scholarship. This does not accrue over the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of additional paid family and domestic violence leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship.

8. Research Overseas

a. Holders of the Scholarship may not normally conduct research overseas within the first 2 research periods of the scholarship.

b. Holders of the Scholarship may conduct up to 4 research periods of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, and the Dean, 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 at the University

9. Suspension

a. Holders of the Scholarship may not apply to suspend their award within the first 2 research periods unless:

i. permitted by a legislative provision; or 

ii. approved on the basis of special circumstances. Special circumstances include carer responsibilities or medical conditions and will generally be out of the recipient’s control. 

b. After the first 2 research periods, holders of the Scholarship may apply for up to 4 research periods suspension for any reason during the tenure of their award. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will  be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

10. Transfer between Research Masters and Research Doctorate degrees

a. Holders of the Scholarship may convert from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or vice-versa provided such change in candidature is approved by the faculty. The conversion from Research Doctorate to Research Masters may result in termination of the Scholarship. Should the Scholarship holder be approved to retain the Scholarship, the maximum duration of a Stipend Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

11. Changes in Enrolment

a. Holders of the Scholarship must notify the Scholarships Office and Higher Degree by Research Administration (HDRAC) of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature transfer by a written notice. If the scholarship holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

12. 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 from the relevant research supervisor, 

iv. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2026 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.

13. 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.