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Credit: Alexander Kubicki and Roger Curtain, Electron Microscopist - Advanced Microscopy Facility (Bio21 Institute Node and the University of Melbourne)
GradSci NEWS

Hi there,

We hope the past few weeks of semester have been treating you well!

There are a number of prizes and scholarships available at the moment, so make sure you check them out and see if you are eligible to apply.

If you have coursework, you can now access your exam timetable online. Don't forget to take breaks and use all of the support services available to you on campus, like Academic Skills and the Graduate Student Association
 
Other than that, read on for the latest info from the Faculty and beyond!

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Research Skills
  • Prizes & Scholarships
  • Opportunities
  • Jobs
  • Graduate Researchers Orientation
  • Sci-Comm 101
  • Science Events
  • Science in the Media
 

Research Skills

Library Sessions for Graduate Students 

UpSkills: Where to Publish?: This session introduces key tools to help you identify and evaluate your publishing options. Wed 25 May 2.30pm-4.00pm

EndNote X7 basics for Mac and Microsoft Word:  This online seminar will demonstrate the basics of Endnote X7 bibliographic software. Thurs 12 May 10.30am-12.00pm and Wed 8 June 7.00pm-8.30pm

EndNote Drop-in Clinic: Come to an EndNote drop-in clinic to get one-on-one help with your particular issue. Thu 26 May 1.00pm–2.00pm and Wed 22 June 1.00pm–2.00pm

Research Consultations for RHD students

A Research Consultation with a specialist librarian can assist you with:

  • Finding the right resources and using them effectively,
  • Choosing and using bibliographic management software such as Endnote or Refworks,
  • Building your researcher profile using ORCID and other identifiers,
  • Tracking your research impact.

Research Consultations can be provided face to face, online or by phone to staff and graduate students.  More information here.

How to win friends

Presented as part of UpSkills for graduate researchers. In this workshop you will review the progress you have made so far in your degree, and develop a more nuanced understanding of how, where, and when to publish your research strategically, for both academic and non-academic audiences. Suitable for graduate research students in the middle and final stages of their Masters by Research or PhD candidature. Registrations essential. All info hereFri 13 or Wed 18 May, 10:00am-5:00pm

 

Prizes & Scholarships

Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships

Applications are now open for 2017. Opportunities are available for postgraduate students for a Masters or PhD scholarship (Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship), or short or longer term research overseas (Endeavour Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship or Endeavour Research Fellowship). Apply online. Applications close Thur 30 June at 11:59pm. 

 

2016 Young Scientist Research Prize

An opportunity for postgrad doctoral students in their 3rd or 4th year of candidature in all areas of Biological Sciences (non-human), Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Biomedical & Health Sciences. Short-listed candidates will present before a general audience of scientists and members at the Royal Society of Victoria in August. $1000 awarded. Apply here. Applications close Mon 16 May at 5:00pm.

Science Abroad Travelling Scholarships

Available only to PhD students (MPhil students are not eligible) who are already confirmed. Awardees must have not consumed more than 4 years candidature at time of selection. Value $1,500. More details here. Applications close Tue 30 Aug.

NHMRC 2016 Postgraduate Scholarships

Applications are now open for funding commencing 2017. Scholarships are awarded for a maximum of 3 years full time. Applicants must familiarise themselves with the Funding Rules and Advice and Instructions for Applicants. For more information please contact nhmrc-people-support@unimelb.edu.au Applications close Wed 29 June at 5:00pm.

Opportunities

 
 

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

You have one power point slide and three minutes to describe your research! Current PhD candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation (heats held 19 July - 17 Aug) are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition. Listen to last year’s winner, find out more and sign up here. There is also a training session on Thu 16 June 10:00am-12:00pm, Singapore Theatre. Registrations essential.

Melbourne Biotechnology Club

The Melbourne Biotechnology Club are now recruiting members. The club will help students learn about the range of careers available in the growing biotechnology sector. People from any discipline are welcome. Sign-up now for access to all their events and activities by clicking here.

Shut Up and Write

GSA hosts Shut Up and Write sessions every Wednesday morning from 9:15-10:30am at Tsubu bar in the 1888 Building.

It’s a great opportunity to beat procrastination and isolation, and get some writing done with other researchers.
Attendance is completely free for students and academics, and no booking is required. Just show up! Here's all the info.

Jobs

TOP JOB - PhD scholarships at AgriBio

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources (DEDJTR) - Victoria

What:  AgriBio is one of Australia's premier biosciences facilities, with a key emphasis on supporting and protecting Victoria's agricultural sector by focussing on cutting-edge research to improve productivity and support biosecurity.

Who:  Agribio are recruiting for two PhD opportunities and are seeking successful high calibre (must be H1) Honours or Masters Students to apply.

Where: Bundoora, Melbourne

Remuneration: stipend of $28,000p.a (Tax Free) for 3 to 3.5 years

Applications close: as soon as suitable candidates are found

See Careers Online for this job and many others!

Schlumberger Employer Information Session

Are you a citizen from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar? Schlumberger are hosting an information session for GCC Nationals, to promote opportunities to work in the Oil & Gas Industry. Registrations essential via Careers Online.

Wed 18 May 12:30pm-1:30pm at RMIT .

Graduate Researchers Orientation

For those who missed Orientation in Feb this year, there is another one running in July. Friday 22 July, 2016 Charles Pearson Theatre, Eastern Resource Centre (ERC), Building 171  9:30am–3:30pm

Orientation Day for Graduate Researchers provides a welcome to all graduate researchers (PhD, Professional Doctorate, Masters by Research or MPhil candidates) who are new to the University of Melbourne or a graduate research degree. The day introduces you to the important elements of your graduate research degree, and the comprehensive research training and professional development services available at the University. Learn from experienced presenters sharing their advice on thesis writing, graduate research advocacy, candidature administration and tips on balancing a healthy lifestyle. Registration is now open; free attendance with morning tea and lunch provided.

For more information and to register, please visit the website.

Sci-Comm 101

Each newsletter, we feature tips from our very own science communication extraordinaire in the School of Biosciences, Dr Jen Martin. Follow Jen on Twitter @scidocmartin or check out her blog, Espresso Science.

SciComm Tip #3 Practice your communication skills

As a scientist, it is not only important to be able to experiment, research and discover, it’s also vital that you can communicate about science effectively. Even the most brilliant research is wasted if no one knows it has been done or if your audience can’t understand it. So commit to becoming the best writer and speaker you can be.

For the full story, click here.

Science Events

Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space

The discovery of gravitational waves was made possible by recording the ‘chirp’ sound of two black holes smashing together. Astrophysicist and writer Dr Janna Levin’s brand new book describes the quest to the discovery of gravitational waves. Come along to hear her speak about the discovery and the implications for understanding the universe. Register here.

Tues 17 May 6:30-7:45pm

Citizens of the Anthropocene: Community and Polity in a Changing Climate

Join us for the next Miegunyah Lecture featuring Distinguished visiting fellow Professor Sheila Jasanoff. Using examples from contemporary environmental and legal controversies in the US, Australia, and Europe, this lecture will question the meaning of the mandate to ‘think globally and act locally’ in the face of planetary environmental problems. More info here.

Wed 18 May 6-7pm

Creswick Seminar - Research and Monitoring in Victoria’s State forests

This seminar will present some of the research and monitoring projects that are currently underway by VicForests and collaborative partners on forest management, biodiversity conservation and new silviculture approaches being applied in Victoria’s state forests. More info here.

Fri 13 May 9:30am-10:30am

 
 

International Science Film Festival 2016

SCINEMA International Science Film Festival showcases not only the best, but also the diversity of science films from across the globe. 

Festival screenings will take place across Australia. In Victoria, it is being held at the RMIT Cinema. More info here.

Saturday 18 June 4-7pm.  

Science and Pretzels

Upcoming seminar: Co-producing Infographics for Climate Action in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dr Stephen Flood will describe a suite of infographics created to communicate New Zealand’s relevant climate change impacts and implications to a range of stakeholders. Register here

Wed 18 May 11:00am-12:00pm.

Pint of Science Festival

The Pint of Science Festival is on soon, with a range of science researchers (including our own staff and RHD students) sharing their knowledge across 3 nights, at 3 different pubs in Carlton, Fitzroy and the CBD. Themes are ‘Our Mind and Body’, ‘Atoms to Galaxies’ and ‘Planet Earth and Tech Me Out'.

Mon 23 May – Wed 25 May.

Science in the Media

Farmed Salmon Hard of Hearing

BioSciences PhD student, Tormey Reimer, has found farmed salmon are 10 times more likely to have deformed earbones than their wild counterparts, raising animal welfare concerns.

Planting Trees for the Earth

The Earth Day Network aims to plant 7.8 billion trees by 2020. But is there more to it than that? Associate Professor Patrick Baker and Professor Rodney Keenan explain how tree planting requires a bit more thought and planning.

International Award for Bushfire Scientist

Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst, from the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences has been awarded the prestigious ‘Ember Award’ in recognition of his research contributions to wildfire science.

To stay up to date between editions please like our Science at Melbourne and the Science Student News pages on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Stay warm,

Science News

Faculty of Science webpage