Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Stem Cell Research and Genome Editing

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who is undertaking stem cell research and genome editing.

b. This Scholarship is co-funded by the philanthropic funds from Dr John and Anne Chong donation and 2022 Ideas Grants from National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for Prof Graham Neely.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered to domestic applicant who is currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within the School of Live and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be working within the John and Anne Chong lab for functional genomics within School of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

c. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in CRISPR gene editing with a focus on pain perception and human neuroscience.

d. Applicant must hold an Honours degree (First class or Second Class upper) or a Master's degree in a related field 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. curriculum vitae,
III. area of study and/or research proposal,
IV. Experience using whole genome CRISPR screening
V. a personal statement demonstrating the background in molecular biology and the use of
CRISPR gene editing to alter human genes.

b. Preference will be given to applicants with a background in molecular biology and the use of
CRISPR gene editing to alter human genes.

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 minimum Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

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

c. 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.

d. 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.

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,
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. Reports

a. The recipient of this Scholarship may be requested to contribute to the reports to NHMRC by the supervisor.

14. Acknowledgements of NHMRC funding and use of NHMRC logo

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must ensure to acknowledge NHMRC in any correspondence, public announcement, advertising material, research report or other material produced as part of the research.

b. Any material published as part of the research must:
I. include the unique NHMRC Grant Identification Number (2020532) and
II. specify that the contents of the published material are solely the responsibility of individual author (the recipient) and do not reflect the views of NHMRC.

c. NHMRC logo is not used without NHMRC’s prior written consent to that specific use of the logo, which NHMRC may give, refuse or revoke in its absolute discretion. NHMRC may give consent subject to any terms or conditions that it considers reasonable.

15. Personal Information

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must not breach of the requirements of Division 2 of Part III of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

b. The recipient must not transfer personal information held in connection with this Agreement outside Australia, or to allow parties outside Australia to have access to it, without the prior approval of NHMRC.

c. The recipient must comply with any policy guidelines laid down by the Commonwealth or issued by the Information Commissioner from time to time relating to the handling of
personal information.

16. Confidential Information

a. The recipient must not, without the prior written consent of the other Party, disclose any Confidential Information of the other Party to a third party.