Scholarship in Advancing Nanoporous MOF Materials for Hydrogen Storage

1. Background

a. This scholarship has been established to enable an outstanding PhD scholar to conduct research in the synthesis and characterisation of hydrogen storage materials under the supervision of Professor Cameron Kepert.

b. This Scholarship is funded by a Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P), Commonwealth Grant in collaboration with industry partner Rux Energy PTY LTD.

c. This Scholarship aims to support a student undertaking a PhD within the School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, where the focus of their research is on the synthesis of novel MOF (Metal Organic Framework) materials for hydrogen storage.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission to study PhD within the School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science 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 also hold at least one of the following qualifications:
I. an Honours degree (First Class) or equivalent,
II. Masters degree with a substantial research component in a relevant area or equivalent.

d. Applicant must undertake research under the supervision of Professor Cameron Kepert.

e. Applicant must conduct research in the synthesis and characterisation of hydrogen storage materials, involving laboratory synthesis, determination of materials structure through X-ray and neutron diffraction and various spectroscopic techniques, measurement of materials properties through gas adsorption and calorimetric techniques, and materials fabrication and technological application.

f. Applicant must sign non-disclosure agreements related to industry intellectual property and trade secrets.

g. Applicant must undertake research in collaboration with industry partners.

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,
IV. previous research experience and
V. a personal statement detailing academic background, relevant research experience and interest in the area of research.

b. Preference will be given to applicants who have work experience in the field of commercial research and/or engagement.

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. The Scholarship will 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 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The PhD recipient encouraged to complete their PhD in 3 years but may apply for an extension of the primary stipend allowance for up to 6 months.

c. A part-time scholarship may be approved where the University is satisfied that there are special circumstances beyond the student’s control. For example, medical conditions, financial hardship and carer’s responsibilities.

d. A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and recipients should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent.

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. 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.

c. 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).
HDRAC will consult with Scholarship Office to confirm funding availability for the period of suspension. 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 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.

12. Reports

a. The successful recipient may be requested to assist with the reports to Commonwealth in accordance with the reporting requirements for this project.

13. Intellectual Property (IP)

a. The successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.

14. Acknowledgement

a. The successful recipient agrees to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s support in all Material, publications and promotional and advertising materials published in connection with this project.

15. Privacy

a. The successful recipient agrees:

I. to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth);
II. not to do anything which, if done by the Commonwealth, would be a breach of an Australian Privacy Principle (as per its meaning in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth);
III. not to send any Personal Information outside of Australia without the Commonwealth’s prior written approval. The Commonwealth may impose any conditions it considers appropriate when giving its approval.

16. Confidentiality

a. The successful recipient agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information about the University of Sydney or Rux Energy PTY LTD without a written consent unless required or authorised by law or Parliament to disclose.

b. The successful recipient agrees to keep any information related to the research conducted and results confidential as part of the project.

17. Announcements and Publication

a. The successful recipient must provide a copy of all proposed publication material, together with details of how, when and to whom it is proposed to be published, to both University of Sydney and Rux Energy PTY LTD, at least 60 days prior to the proposed submission date for publication (Approval Period). Comments and/or reasonable amendments to the publication can be made by University of Sydney and Rux Energy PTY LTD to protect their Confidential Information and/or Intellectual Property provided during the approval period.

b. if requested, successful recipient must delay publication of the material or submission of the material for publication for a period not exceeding 90 days to allow appropriate registration of any Registrable IPRs.

c. Any use of University of Sydney or Rux Energy PTY’s name or logo, including any use in publications, successful recipient must:

I. receive a prior written consent of the relevant party; and
II. comply with the relevant party's policies.

d. The successful recipient must not make any public announcement, including social media, in connection with the project without the Commonwealth’s prior written approval.

e. The successful recipient must acknowledge the support from the Commonwealth in all the publications, promotional and advertising materials, public announcements, events and activities in relation to the Project through reference to the Program and acknowledgement specified or approved by the Commonwealth from time to time.