A postgraduate research scholarship
| Value | Eligibility | Open date | Close date |
|---|---|---|---|
USYD RTP rate p.a. (up to 3 years) ($37,207 per annum in 2023) |
|
TBC | TBC |
Apply here.
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), for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
You must:
Please Note: 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.
This Scholarship is funded by an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) to support a student undertaking a PhD within School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, where the focus of their research on disagreement and relational mentalizing (Deschrijver & Palmer, 2020) in the emergence of discriminatory behaviour.
Humans tend to discriminate more against others that don’t belong to their own group (i.e., against their outgroup as opposed to their ingroup) - even if groups created on the basis of seemingly irrelevant features, like the appreciation of paintings. Historical theories about discrimination have therefore emphasized group identity processes as central to understanding why people discriminate against each other (e.g., Tajfel & Turner, 1978). Yet, may we also discriminate against another individual if they disagree with us?
The overarching goal of this project is to investigate the role of disagreement and relational mentalizing (Deschrijver & Palmer, 2020) in the emergence of discriminatory behaviour. Online and in-person computer experiments, as well as potentially fMRI measures, will be used. Prior experience with coding (e.g., JsPsych, Python, MATLAB), experimental design and/or data analysis (e.g., SPSS, R) is thus advantageous.
Applications are sought broadly and in any of the project’s main domains: applicants with research interests in social or cognitive psychology, social or cognitive neuroscience, cognitive sciences, as well as other related disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.
The ideal candidate has conducted research on topics broadly related to disagreement and discrimination. They have experience in collecting data or analysing neuroscientific data (EEG, fMRI, tDCS, and/or fNIRS).
The successful candidate will gain valuable technical skills including programming, experimental design and data-analysis, as well as broad theoretical knowledge about societal issues of discrimination.
The PhD project is part of a broader Research Project funded by a DECRA fellowship of the ARC. The student will be supervised by Dr Eliane Deschrijver, and co-supervised A/Prof Fiona Kumfor.
The campus and nearby Brain and Mind centre provides access to a wide range of cognitive neuroscience techniques, including MRI, fNIRS, EEG, MEG etc., as well as eye-tracking, myographic and behavioral testing labs. The University of Sydney is recognized both nationally and internationally as an outstanding environment for neuroscientific and psychological research. The University of Sydney is ranked in the top 20 universities in the world (2024 QS world rankings) and 2nd out of 43 universities in Australia. Its School of Psychology is ranked 27th in the world for psychology.
Furthermore, as well as being a thriving global city, Sydney has many tremendous beaches and bushland, which provides a wonderful natural backdrop to professional activities.
1. Background
a. This Scholarship is funded by an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) to support a student undertaking a PhD within School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, where the focus of their research on disagreement and relational mentalizing (Deschrijver & Palmer, 2020) in the emergence of discriminatory behaviour.
2. Eligibility
a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the successful applicant having an unconditional offer of admission for full-time studies in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) within the school of Psychology, 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 be willing to undertake research on disagreement and relational mentalizing in the emergence of discriminatory behaviour.
d. Applicant must also hold at least:
I. a bachelor’s degree with a substantial research component or equivalent, or
II. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent, or
III. Masters 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,
III. a research proposal on 3-year novel empirical research,
IV. prior research outputs,
V. a personal statement outlining the interest in the topic and research,
VI. curriculum vitae, and
VII. 2 academic recommendation letters (max. 2 pages).
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), for up to 3 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 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 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. Intellectual Property
a. The successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.
b. Any intellectual property developed in the course of this research is owned by the University of Sydney, unless the University determines it does not wish to proceed with a patent.
13. Reports
a. The successful recipient of this Scholarship may be requested to contribute to the progress and final reports to ARC.
14. Publications
a. All ARC-funded research projects must comply with the ARC Open Access Policy on the dissemination of research findings, which is on the ARC website. In accordance with this policy, any Research Outputs arising from ARC-funded research must be made openly accessible within a 12-month period from the publication date.
b. Any Research Outputs arising from ARC-funded research must be made openly accessible within a 12-month period from the publication date. Where this requirement cannot be met, reasons must be provided in the Final Report for the project.
15. Acknowledgements
a. The successful recipient agrees to acknowledge the ARC’s support in all Material, publications and promotional and advertising materials published in connection with this Agreement. The ARC will make available, on the ARC website, the form of acknowledgement that successful recipient is to use.
b. ARC’s contribution and support of the project is acknowledged in a prominent place and an appropriate form acceptable to the ARC when, at any time during or after completion of the project.
c. Where the Research Output is a publication, in addition to acknowledging ARC support, the relevant Project ID (DE220100087) must be included. Metadata for the Research Output must include the ARC Project ID, list the ARC as a Grant source and contain a permanent Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for the Research Output. If a DOI is not available, then a permanent Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link must be provided instead to the Research Output.
16. Confidentiality
a. The successful recipient agrees to not to disclose confidential information without prior written consent unless required or authorised by law or Parliament to disclose.
17. Privacy
a. The successful recipient agrees to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
b. The successful recipient agrees not to send any Personal Information outside of Australia without the Commonwealth’s prior written approval.
18. Ethics Approvals
a. Ethics approvals must be obtained and held by the successful recipient for any aspects of the research involving humans for the entire duration of this Scholarship.
b. If the research being undertaken requires ethics approval(s), a valid Research Ethics Committee Approval(s) must be held for the duration of the Scholarship.
c. A copy of all Ethics Approvals must be provided to the ARC.