Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Geochronology-Calibrated Deep Time Global Landscape Evolution Models

1. Background

a. This Scholarship aims to support a student undertaking a PhD within the School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, where the focus of their research is on geochronology-calibrated deep time Global landscape evolution models.

b. The scholarship is co-funded by BHP Innovation Pty Ltd and The University of Sydney for the project ‘STELLAR – Spatio TEmporaL expLorAtion for Resources’.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission to study full-time in a PhD within the School of Geosciences, 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 conduct research that involves
I. the development of cutting-edge quantitative numerical plate tectonic and landscape models of source-to-sink systems on regional to global scales,
II. utilising geochronology, geochemistry and/or thermochronology data to calibrate and evaluate simulations and
III. collaborating with industry partner BHP Innovation Pty Ltd.

d. Applicant must also hold at least one of the following in a related field:
I. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent or
II. a Master’s degree with a substantial research component or equivalent.

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. list of publications to demonstrate previous research experience,
V. copy of previous written works including research thesis, conference abstracts or publications, and
VI. a personal statement which demonstrates:
a. a keen interest in the interplay of sedimentology, structural geology, earth resources, and the crustal geochemistry geochronology- thermochronology record, and
b. a strong background in at least one of the areas listed above.

b. Preference will be given to applicants:
I. with a background in numerical geoscience, geochronology/thermochronology, computer sciences or a related field and
II. prior experience with computing software and coding (e.g. Python).

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 $50,000 per annum (indexed on 1 January each year using University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) indexation rate) for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

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 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 to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from the 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 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 recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.

13. Publication

a. The recipient (publishing party) must 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 BHP Innovation Pty Ltd and the University of Sydney at least 60 days prior (approval period) to the proposed submission date for publication. Comments and/or reasonable amendments to the publication can be made by BHP Innovation Pty Ltd and the University of Sydney to protect their confidential information and/or intellectual property (IP) provided they are given to the publishing party with the approval period.

b. If requested, delay publication of the material or submission of the material for publication for a period not exceeding 60 days to allow appropriate registration of any registrable IPRs.

14. Confidentiality

a. The recipient is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the BHP Innovation Pty Ltd 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 BHP Innovation Pty Ltd, as appropriate, or as required by law.

b. The recipient must not use any other party’s name or the name of any other party’s employee, including any specified personnel, or refer to the research, in any public manner whatsoever including in any capital raising, business, advertising or other promotional material without the written permission of the relevant other party, which may be granted subject to conditions.

15. Thesis

a. The recipient participating in the research may include material relating to the conduct and conclusion of the research in a thesis authored by the recipient, which will be made publicly available in accordance with the University’s statutes and regulations.

b. If any BHP Innovation Pty Ltd’s confidential information is used in the thesis, the recipient or the University must notify BHP Innovation Pty Ltd and work together to make appropriate amendments to preserve BHP Innovation Pty Ltd’s commercial interests without prejudicing the academic integrity of the thesis, provided that in the event such amendments cannot be agreed the recipient must remove such partner confidential information.