Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Convert and Compress: on-chip photonic processing for resilient RF systems

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a Higher Degree by Research student undertaking research in developing an integrated radio frequency (RF) photonic signal processor that can convert and compress signals across the full spectrum within the receiver’s amplitude and frequency limits.

b. This Scholarship is funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project in Photonics and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science.

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 Masters by Research or PhD within the School of Physics, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. 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 one of the following qualifications in Physics in related field:
I. an Honours degree (First Class or second upper) or equivalent, or
II. a Master’s degree.

d. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in Photonics, particularly into developing an integrated radio frequency (RF) photonic signal processor that can convert and compress signals across the full spectrum within the receiver’s amplitude and frequency limits.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. area of study/research proposal,
III. curriculum vitae including previous research experience, and
IV. a personal statement demonstrating their interest and background in photonics.

b. 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) as per below duration, subject to satisfactory academic performance:
I. up to 7 research periods for a Master’s by Research recipient,
II. up to 12 research periods for a PhD recipient, with a possible 2 research periods extension.

b. 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 any potential extension period.

c. 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.

d. No other amount is payable.

e. 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 two research periods of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 4 research periods 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 two research periods of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 4 research periods 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, and course transfer. 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 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.

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. Publications

a. All ARC-funded research projects must comply with the ARC Open Access Policy on the dissemination of research findings, which includes a requirement that publications arising from ARC funded research must be made openly accessible within a 12-month period from the publication date.

b. The recipient of this Scholarship must not use any trademark, trade name, logo or other designation of any party in any way in connection with ARC or this research without that other party’s prior written consent.

c. The recipient of this Scholarship wishes to make public statement in connection with ARC or this research (such as distributing promotional or advertising material, appearing in television or radio programs, electronic media, issuing newsletters promoting the activities of the Centre or a Project) it must obtain the prior written consent.

d. The recipient agrees to provide a copy of any proposed publication to The University of Sydney and any other party in connection to this scholarship with sufficient notice in advance of submitting for publication (review period), as informed by their relevant research supervisor. The other parties may provide comments and/or reasonable amendments to the publication to protect their confidential Information and/or Intellectual Property, including requesting removal or delay publication to allow appropriate registration of any registrable Intellectual Property. If The University of Sydney or any other party does not provide any comments within the review period, the recipient may publish the proposed publication.

13. Acknowledgements

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must acknowledge the ARC’s support in all publications and any other promotional or advertising materials published in connection with this research in the form and manner advised by the relevant research supervisor.

14. Intellectual Property

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must complete a Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney to cover any Intellectual Property (IP) created under the project other than scholarly works or a thesis to the University of Sydney, who may eventually transfer them to the funder if required and as advised by the relevant research supervisor.

15. Student Thesis

a. The recipient of this scholarship may have obligations under University statutes to deposit in the library a copy of their completed thesis or work submitted for a higher degree by research.

16. Confidentiality

a. The recipient agrees to not to disclose confidential information related to this research project without prior written consent unless required or authorised by law or Parliament to disclose. The recipient may be required to sing a confidentiality agreement with the University to comply with any requirements from the funder as advised by the relevant research supervisor.

17. Privacy

a. The recipient agrees to use any personal information collected or obtained in connection with the project only for the purposes of fulfilling its obligations under this scholarship/research and in accordance with any applicable Privacy Laws.