No Images? Click here Hi there, Welcome to the bumper June edition of GradSci_NEWS! Keep reading for all the information about the various opportunities available for you at the moment, including international research projects, the thesis boot camp, three minute thesis competition, mentoring programs and scholarships. Don’t forget that you have until this Sun 4 June to complete the Subject Experience Survey for Semester 1 subjects. Your feedback is valuable and will help improve your subjects - and you can win $500 just by completing a survey! Click here to find out more. Looking ahead to Semester 2, remember that class registration for Graduates opens on Tues 27 June. And finally, congratulations to our Science students who were winners in the GSA’s Sustainability Prize! See the winning entries here and get a wonderful insight into the range of native flora and fauna we have on our UoM campuses. IN THIS ISSUE
Scholarship OpportunitiesEndeavour Scholarships and FellowshipsApplications for the 2018 round of the Australia Awards - Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are open and will close on Fri 30 June. Applications are being sought from international applicants wanting to study either a Masters, MPhil or PhD in Australia, and Australian applicants wishing to study the same degrees abroad. For all the details, please see the website. UoM PhD Applications 2017Are you a domestic student finishing your MSc and considering applying for a PhD? Why wait until 2018? There are still scholarships available for starting a PhD program by December. Information about the online application process is available here. Apply now to be considered for a scholarship. FoS Postgraduate Writing Up AwardThe Faculty of Science Postgraduate Writing-Up Awards are supported through the David Lachlan Hay Memorial Fund and Albert Shimmins Fund. The Writing-Up Awards support Science research higher degree (RHD) candidates during the preparation of journal articles or books based on the RHD thesis submitted for examination. Scholarship conditions and application process are available on the Science website. 2017 Victoria Fellowships – Call for Applications Now OpenThe Victoria Fellowships recognise the important role of innovation in Victoria's economic future and the need for Victorians to be skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.Currently enrolled graduate students can apply for a 2017 Victoria Fellowship valued at up to $18,000. The fellowship provides a travel grant to undertake a short-term overseas study mission to assist in developing a commercial idea; undertaking specialist training; or career development not available in Australia. Additionally, Fellows can apply for the Australian French Association for Science and Technology (AFAS) Associate Award valued at up to $5,000. Applications due Thurs 22 June. For more information visit the VESKI website. Department of Defence (DTSG) OpportunitiesCLOSING TOMORROW NIGHT!There are numerous opportunities on the APS Careers website for a range of programs:
Applications close Fri 2 June. DST Group Summer Vacation Placements (DST/01185/17) DST Group Industry Experience Placements (DST/01186/17) DST Group Graduate Industry Placements (DST/01326/17) If students have further enquiries, please contact science-academicprograms@unimelb.edu.au Career PlanningJob ReadyDo you have the skills you need to get the job you want? Job Ready is a free 8-week program specifically designed for science, technology, engineering and maths undergraduate and postgraduate students. It will develop your communications skills and enhance your employability so you’ll stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. With the help of science communication specialists and guest speakers from a range of employment and science fields, you will learn the key skills of public speaking, clear writing and successful interviews. In semester 2, there will be two streams running week 3-10: Tuesdays 1.00pm - 2.00pm and Thursdays 1.00pm - 2.00pm. There are no compulsory assignments or marked coursework, however, minimum attendance is required for successful completion. To apply go to the website. Your PhD and Beyond: An Industry PerspectiveAt this one off special event, Dr Nancy Ilaya will talk about her journey from a PhD at the University of Melbourne, to Manager of Scientific Affairs and Communications at Estee Lauder in New York City. She will discuss her strategies to surviving a PhD, the realities of PhD job-seeking, the importance of a PhD in an industry setting, and how to sell your unique value to potential clients and employers. Due to popularity, we have booked a bigger venue! Thurs 22 June, 12noon. Register here. Chemistry Careers NightEver wondered where your chemistry degree will lead you? This careers evening features a panel of chemistry graduates who are now in academia and industry. This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about what others have done with their Chemistry degree, and expand your networks. Come equipped with questions for the Q&A section. Thurs 29 June, 6.15pm - 8.00pm, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science. RACI Members $5, non-members $10, Reciprocal Society $5. Register here. RACI WinC pilot of SPRINT: Expression Of InterestThe Women in Chemistry group this year is considering to offer a more comprehensive 3-days workshop, a fantastic new program known as SPRINT. The aim of SPRINT is to develop women graduates to their fullest potential and for these women to maximise life and career opportunities. The Women in Chemistry SPRINT pilot is a three day program customised for women who are near to completing their PhD or Master degree or those in the early stage of their postdoctoral career (first 5 years after the award of the degree). WinC is seeking expressions of interest in participating to the pilot of SPRINT. For any enquiries contact Alessia Belgi (alessia.belgi@monash.edu) and for more details go here. Deadline is Tues 20 June. Top JobsMachine Cognition Researcher – Department of DefenceWork independently under limited direction, bringing your expertise in robotics, evolutionary robotics, signal processing, computational science, machine learning, multi-agent intelligent systems, artificial intelligence or similar to a multi-disciplinary team. Applications close Fri 9 June. For more information and to apply, click here. Senior Project Officer - Murdoch Childrens Research InstituteThe Senior Project Officer will have a leading role in the establishment of a new project to develop and implement processes and materials that facilitate the translation of knowledge and research to optimise children’s health and wellbeing. Applications close Mon 5 June. For more information and to apply, click here. Planning Systems Analyst - MECCA Brands Pty LtdThe Planning Systems Analyst is a key member of the Planning and Replenishment Team, playing a pivotal role in supporting and developing planning systems and processes that underpin how stock flows through the company into store. Applications close Tues 6 June. For more information and to apply, click here. For more opportunities, visit Careers Online EventsScience Festival is coming soon…Get set for another jam-packed week of free workshops, activities, live demonstrations, trivia, movie screenings, public lectures and a whole lot more! The Faculty of Science is once again hosting the University of Melbourne’s Science Festival, as part of National Science week. This year, the event will run Mon 14 Aug - Fri 18 Aug. Along with over 20 events being run across the week, there will also be a big Lunchtime Science Carnival on Wed 16 Aug 12.00pm - 2.00pm, featuring free food, entertainment, demonstrations and lots of fun things to do and try. The full program will be released mid-July. To be notified when the program is released, register on the website. National Science QuizJoin Charlie Pickering as he leads a panel of scientists, science communicators, and familiar faces through an intellectual obstacle course. Including live demonstrations and curiosity-provoking questions, the National Science Quiz promises fun for the whole family. Sun 18 June, 3.00pm - 4.30pm, Camberwell Grammar School. $10/$5 (full/conc.), or $15 at the door. Panellists include astrophysicist Dr Alan Duffy and radio host Red Symons. For more information go here. Wade Event: Melbourne Movers & Shakers“Melbourne Movers & Shakers” is about the entrepreneurs innovating Melbourne's future, featuring Dr. Amantha Imbur, CEO of Inventium, and Jan Owen, CEO of Foundation for Young Australians. Thu 8 June, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. Tickets are free here. Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health - Panel DiscussionJoin our dynamic speakers Emily Dash, Carly Findlay, Alastair McEwin and host Julie McCrossin for a conversation about what good health means from a disability perspective. The Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health will be formally launched by the Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alastair McEwin. Drinks and nibbles provided. The event is free but bookings are required. Tue 27 Jun, 5.30 - 7.30pm. Research OpportunitiesGSA Thesis BootcampYour procrastination says no, but your thesis says yes. The Graduate Student Association's Thesis Bootcamps are incredibly successful writing events that motivate graduate research students and give them the tools to stay productive. On average, students write 11,000 words in the one weekend. Applications for the Fri 14 - Sun 16 July bootcamp are closing Sun 4 June. More information here. GSA WorkshopsWord for Thesis Shortcourse: Practical Skills. Fri 30 June. More details and bookings here. Using Excel to Tame Basic Data. Fri 21 July. More details and bookings here. Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®)Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition where PhD students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. The 2017 University of Melbourne competition starts with Heats from Tues 18 July - Thurs 3 Aug and the Grand Final will be held on Thurs 7 Sept. The winner will go on to represent the University at the Asia-Pacific competition. Start preparing and planning for your heat with the 3MT® Training Session being held on Thurs 22 Jun. All of the details for registrations are available here. Engineers Without Borders Australia – Student Research ProjectsThe EWB university research program provides an opportunity for students and academics to work on a real world project which supports a development organisation doing humanitarian work in Australia or overseas. If you want your final year research project to help engineer a better world then this program is for you. The program accepts applications from final year students in any discipline. The project must be part of your formal studies, most probably as a thesis, a research project or capstone subject. Applications for semester 2 now open until Fri 30 June. Click here for more information. Tokyo Institute of Technology Summer Research OpportunityThe Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) Winter Program offers students the opportunity to pursue individual research projects under the supervision of Tokyo Tech faculty members. Participants will gain exposure to advanced research at Japan’s top national science and technology university. This program runs over our summer break (Late Nov - Feb). Check out the brochure and the Melbourne Global Mobility website for more info. Applications are open until Thurs 15 June via the MGM website. Mentoring and Volunteering OpportunitiesBecome an In2science Peer Mentor in High SchoolsAre you passionate about science and maths? Undergraduate and postgraduate students studying science, technology, engineering and/or maths are invited to apply as an In2science Mentor for semester 2. In2science is a science peer mentoring program that works to engage high school students from low socio-economic areas in science and maths. University students volunteer their time to work as a mentor in a year 8 or 9 science or maths classrooms or as an online eMentor for 10 week placements. Volunteering with In2science is a great way to give back to the community while developing your communication skills, enhancing your resume, getting a taste for the classroom and informing our society about the importance and wonders of science. Placements will start in Week 2 of Semester 2. Apply here. For more info email: science-in2science@unimelb.edu.au L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science - Mentoring Scheme for PhD StudentsThis year the Australian L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) program will be launching its first mentoring scheme, in which FWIS Alumni (past and present Fellows) will become mentors to passionate and ambitious PhD students. The new scheme is seeking female PhD students to apply to join this 6-month mentoring program as mentees. Applications close Fri 16 June. More information here. Science Industry Mentoring ProgramIt can be daunting to think past your final year of study and what you might be doing next. The Science Industry Mentoring Program connects students with Melbourne-based alumni mentors and industry professionals from our community. Registrations are now open to be matched with a mentor for Semester 2. Find out more about the program and apply via our website. 2017 Advance Global Australian Awards Mentoring ProgramApplications are currently open for the 2017 Advance Global Australian Awards Mentoring Program – a 12-month initiative that connects students with some of Australia’s most successful global industry leaders, affording them the invaluable opportunity to develop their professional clarity and gain industry-specific insights. Find out more about the program here. Applications close Fri 23 June. UMSU Volunteering HubUMSU (University of Melbourne Student Union) is committed to enhancing students’ experiences by providing meaningful volunteering opportunities. A new Volunteering Hub has been opened on the ground floor of Union House nicknamed the V Hive. This space provides offices, meeting rooms and a bookable area for students and staff to promote volunteering opportunities. UMSU offers a number of Volunteer programs and activities. You can visit the V Hive and “see what the buzz is about” or go to the website for more information. University of Melbourne Student Peer Leader roleAre you keen to help other students and be a role model? Make a difference and make it happen by becoming a Peer Leader. Help develop the Student Peer Leader Network and co-create a student engagement activity. Applications will be open from Tue 13 June (closing Mon 19 June) via Careers Online. ServicesNew Library SpacesUG South is a new study space on the Upper Ground level in Giblin Eunson Library. The new space has 244 seats in total, 5 project rooms, which can be booked using BookIT, and a graduate-space-only access area. UG South is part of the After Hours zone and is currently open 7.00am - 1.00am. There will be 24 hour access in the area during SWOT Vac and first week of exams. Opening hours for each library on campus can be checked here. Sci-Comm 101Each 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. Tip #4 – Just Write It!When it comes to writing, most of us struggle with procrastination. A blank screen or page is daunting. Which is why you simply have to start writing! It doesn’t matter if this isn’t your best writing – you’ll fix it later during the editing process. As they say, you can’t edit a blank page. There are many tools to help you get your ideas down. Try Cold Turkey, 750 words, Write or Die or go to a ‘Shut up and Write’ session on campus. Congratulations2017 FameLab FinalCongratulations to Faculty of Science alumni Andrew Katsis who was runner-up in the national final of British Council Australia’s FameLab, which celebrates effective science communication in young scientists. Andrew’s talk was titled ‘The benefits of being an attentive embryo.’ He spoke about zebra finch empryos and their capacity to grow in anticipation of a hotter climate in response to a “heat call” from their parents. It was concise, clear and bookended with Dr Zeuss rhymes. Read more about it here. PhD SubmissionThe following students submitted their PhD theses in May. Congratulations on the culmination of your hard work!
Best Thesis Award for Wenyi LiCongratulations go to Dr Wenyi Li, who has been awarded the Graham Johnston Best Thesis Award from RACI Division of Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology. As part of the award, Wenyi has been invited to present a lecture on his research at the upcoming RACI Centenary Congress (Sun 23 - Fri 28 July). Read more about it here. Science in the MediaThe Aliens among usInspired by the new movie Alien: Covenant, this article looks at six animals who have alien-like qualities, including the hippopotamus that bleeds acid. Read it here. Heating up: How rises in global temperature could damage the reefAs global surface temperatures rise, new research looks at the potential impact on Australia and its Great Barrier Reef. This article features Dr Andrew King, Professor David Karoly and Dr Ben Henley, School of Earth Sciences. Read it here. Is the Australia gas shortfall a myth?Our researchers have crunched the numbers to check whether Australia really is running out of gas. Find out all about it here. Congratulations to new Fellows of the Australian Academy of ScienceAssociate Professor Jane Elith and Professor David Gardner. Two scientists from the Faculty have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science, a rare honour, for their outstanding contributions to science. Read about it and check out their videos here. 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. Until next time we are truly yours, Science News |