18 March 2020

AGC e-News

Director's Message

We have all had some tumultuous couple of days, as the news about COVID-19 changes moment by moment. We know that there are many questions regarding how this virus is impacting your studies. The University is closely monitoring the situation, and our response is being shaped by the latest advice from Australian health and foreign affairs authorities. Contingency planning is actively underway on a number of fronts to anticipate the evolution of the virus’ spread. We appreciate your patience as we are working diligently and carefully to make decisions and arrangements to address the impact on our service.

Our top priority is the health and safety of our students and staff, and we take this responsibility seriously. The university will be making timely decisions on these matters, so please monitor your email account as we are committed to communicating regularly with you as these decisions are made. At this stage, processes within the AGC are still business as usual, however, we strongly encourage students to avoid coming to the office unless absolutely necessary. Instead, please submit all forms and enquiries via email to graduate.centre@adelaide.edu.au.

On a more positive note, please join me in congratulating our 2019 Winners of the University Doctoral and Master by Research Medals. This is an outstanding achievement and we cannot wait to hear more about your exciting research in the coming years.

Please stay safe everyone.

Dr Doreen Krumbiegel
Director, Adelaide Graduate Centre

2019 Winners of the University Doctoral and Master by Research Medal

Student study leave / travel and COVID-19

The Adelaide Graduate Centre will not be approving study leave for international or domestic travel until further notice. This follows advice from the Executive Director of HR and the University’s COVID-19 Incident Response Taskforce where travel for staff and students has been suspended. All students are asked to reconsider any personal travel plans given escalated travel restrictions and airlines reducing flights which could mean that you cannot return to Adelaide when you intend to. Students who had intended to travel should consider alternatives such as meeting via ZOOM and contingencies for research projects if travel is restricted for an extended period of time. If you have any queries or concerns about study leave or travel please contact the Graduate Centre via email.

Important information regarding travel scholarships

Due to the coronavirus and the University’s revised position on international travel, applications for all travel scholarships have been suspended until further notice. This includes applications which may have been submitted and are in progress. There are also restrictions and significant implications for scholarships which have already been awarded. The AGC has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document on our scholarships website landing page with information for students who have applied for or been awarded a travel scholarship for travel in 2020 for one of the following scholarship programs:

Research Travel Scholarships
Hans-Jurgen and Marianne Ohff Travel Grant;
DR Stranks Travelling Fellowship
George Murray Travel Grant

Students awarded Scholarships in 2020 – Scholarship Payments not commenced?

Please be reminded that all scholarship recipients are required to lodge their bank authority form in order for scholarship payments to commence upon confirmation of enrolment. The link to the required form can be found in your scholarship offer letter.

Tip of the Month

Think social media is just a distraction but has no place in research? Think again! Communicating your research through social media platforms, such as Twitter, is an important way of engaging the public in your research, growing your professional networks, and creating impact.

The Graduate Centre is now on Twitter and we invite all HDR students to follow us @GradCentreUofA for the latest news, events, tips, funny memes, and more. If you don’t already have a Twitter account, create one! And start building your social media presence as a researcher today. Time to get tweeting!

HDR Industry Opportunities

Call for New Projects – Adelaide-CSIRO Industry PhD (iPhD) program (Supervisor EOIs close 1 May 2020)

We invite Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from potential supervisors for the next round of the University of Adelaide-CSIRO Industry PhD (iPhD) program – due 1 May 2020.

This 4-year iPhD program includes a six-month industry placement, leading to an enhanced opportunity to work in an industry-defined research area with support and supervision through the University, CSIRO, and an Industry Partner. The program provides for new students/projects:

A competitive $41k p.a. scholarship, plus project support funds of $10,000 p.a.
A tailored program of coursework and skills development
Administration and support

Visit our website or email HDR Industry Enquiries to learn how to establish an iPhD under this innovative program

Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities

The Adelaide Graduate Centre maintains a searchable database of available scholarship opportunities (both full scholarships and supplementary scholarships), funded by both the University of Adelaide and external funding bodies. While the majority of available scholarships are awarded as part of the standard admission and scholarship rounds for domestic and international students, some are awarded at different times throughout the year, and may have a separate application process. Visit the Postgraduate Scholarships Website regularly for up to date information on current scholarship opportunities.

Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences scholarship opportunities (applications close 31 March 2020)

There are several scholarships available for students in the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences. Applications for each of these scholarships close on 31 March 2020.

Please click on the links below for detailed information on each scholarship, including rules, eligibility criteria and application instructions:

Nicholas Baudin Program: “Internships in France” initiative (applications close 15 April 2020)

Launched as a pilot program in 2017, the Nicolas Baudin Program: “Internships in France” initiative offers students from participating Australian universities the opportunity to undertake a research internship at a French host university in collaboration with an industry partner. The program is open to both domestic and international students. Note that recipients must retain their student status for the entire duration of the internship. Other eligibility requirements may apply to specific internship programs.

For more information, including a list of internship opportunities, eligibility requirements, Frequently Asked Questions, and a link to the online application portal, please visit the scholarships website.

Space Innovation Fund (Applications close 30 April 2020)

The program will award successful applicants with funding of up to $20,000 to assist the recipients to develop their leadership skills, experience and knowledge in the space sector through education, and/or training at best practice workplaces or educational institutions. The scholarships support individuals who can demonstrate their interest in improving their knowledge and skills as potential founders of successful space-related enterprises. Further information is available on the scholarships website.

ARC – PhD Scholarship – Coarse Geometry: a novel approach to the Callias index and topological matter (applications open until filled)

This scholarship is supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant, DP200100729, and the successful student will be supervised by Prof Mathai Varghese and either of Dr Peter Hochs or Dr Guo Chuan Thiang. Topics include: index theory, geometric analysis, noncommutative geometry, mathematics of condensed matter physics, coarse geometry and topology.

To be considered for this scholarship, students should be eligible to enrol as a commencing student in a full-time PhD research program in Pure Mathematics. This opportunity is available to both domestic and international students. More information is available on the scholarships website.

Archie McArthur Terrestrial Arthropod Systematics Scholarship (applications open)

Applications are invited for the Archie McArthur Terrestrial Arthropod Systematics scholarship. The supplementary scholarship is provided by the South Australian Museum to support and encourage PhD students at the University of Adelaide in the study of Terrestrial Arthropod Systematics, increase awareness of and enhance the Museum’s research and Terrestrial Arthropod Collections. Full details are available on the scholarships website.

PhD Scholarship in theory and modelling of ice-shelf disintegration (applications open)

The scholarship is being funded to support a full-time PhD student who will undertake research modelling ice shelf vibrations forced by ocean waves, and will be working under the supervision of Associate Professor Luke Bennetts. There are three topics available for this PhD project, and is appropriate for those interested in dynamics, modelling and computation, and application to Antarctic science.

Applicants should hold an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering or a related field, and be eligible for admission to a PhD at the University of Adelaide. More information about scholarship eligibility and how to apply is available on the scholarships website.

Primary Industries AgTech PhD Scholarship (expressions of interest open until filled)

The Primary Industries AgTech PhD Scholarship at The University of Adelaide is funded by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) to support a full time PhD student who is undertaking research in a topic that will aid or improve primary industry production or profitability through the application of technology. Full details available on the scholarships website.

School of Humanities PhD Scholarship in Philosophy (Open until filled - successful candidate must commence by 1 May 2020)

The scholarship is supported by the Faculty of Arts (Divisional Scholarship) and is part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project, DP200100190: Everything in its Place: Location, Persistence, and Change (Chief Investigator: Dr Antony Eagle; Partner Investigators: Prof Cody Gilmore, and A/Prof Shieva Kleinschmidt).

The ARC project focuses on the metaphysics of persisting objects and related issues in the philosophy of physics. CI Eagle, who will be the primary supervisor of the successful candidate’s research, is interested in metaphysics, philosophy of physics, philosophy of logic and language, and epistemology/philosophy of science. The PIs will be involved as co-supervisors of the successful candidate’s project. More information is available on the scholarships website.

School of Social Sciences PhD Scholarship in Politics and International Relations (Open until filled - successful candidate must commence by 1 June 2020)

The scholarship is supported by the Faculty of Arts (Divisional Scholarship), and is part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project: The Proscription of Terrorist Organisations in Illiberal States. The appointee will also be affiliated with Professor Lee Jarvis at the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia. The HDR candidate’s project is expected to be in the field of Politics and International Relations (though students with a cognate background in Law, Sociology or similar are encouraged to apply). For further information, please visit the scholarships website.

SmartSat CRC Scholarship (applications open)

The SmartSat CRC is the largest space industry-research collaboration in Australia’s history. The SmartSat CRC invites expressions of interest for higher degrees by research (Masters and PhD) scholarships commencing in 2020. Scholarships are available for Australian residents. Non-residents will be considered, subject to project-specific requirements. Applicants will need to have a First-Class Honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. More information is available on the scholarships website.

JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program (4 - 8 May 2020)

The JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program (CSRTP) enables participants to learn how to conduct robust systematic reviews of different evidence types in order to provide the strongest possible evidence to inform decision making or clinical guidelines in healthcare. A one, three or five-day program, depending on your research needs or areas of interest. Registrations close 19 April. See the Joanna Briggs Institution website for further information.

L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program mentoring scheme

Calling for ambitious female PhD students across Australia & New Zealand!

FWIS is a mentoring scheme which is part of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program.

By fostering a mentoring scheme where our Fellows can share advice and guidance to budding female scientists, we aim to provide an invaluable opportunity to develop integral knowledge and skills, and to instil passion and a sense of empowerment into our future women leaders.

Five mentees will be chosen to take part in this mentoring scheme (4 within Australia and 1 in New Zealand). In addition to the mentoring program, the mentees will be invited to attend the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science ceremony in November, as our special guests with travel expenses fully covered by L’Oréal Australia & New Zealand.

For further information, please view the flyer. To apply, please complete and send the application form to Kiera Flynn, L'Oréal Australia.

iCaRST (International Careers and Research Skills Training) 2020

Program 3, 2019-20 lecture and seminar sessions completed in February. The program has now moved into the final assignment (research proposal drafts) and consultations phase. Some students have already signed off from the program while others are continuing to work with us. The final completion date is expected to occur mid April 2020.

There are 3 programs commencing in 2020. Program commencement dates for this year are:

Program 1: March 17
Program 2: July 20
Program 3: November 10

Education Program Manager: Carmel Nicholas

Adelaide Graduate Centre Website Links

Respect. Now. Always.

The University seeks to promote an inclusive, respectful and fair environment for all people whilst engaged in University-related activities. A range of services are available to assist students who have safety concerns or have experienced bullying, sexual harassment or assault. For further information, help, or to report an incident, please visit the Safer Campus Community website.

As a student of the University, you can help to keep your campus safe by looking out for your own safety, and the safety of others and by conducting yourself in a manner consistent with the Student Charter. Remember that unacceptable behaviours such as Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying and Victimisation are not tolerated at the University.

Free, independent and confidential Counselling Service

Did you know that as a Postgraduate Student you are entitled to access counselling services provided to students at The University of Adelaide. To find out more information visit the Counselling Centre website.

Free and confidential Disability Service

As a Postgraduate Student you are also eligible for assistance from the Disability Service if you have a disability or ongoing medical condition. Information about the nature of your disability is not disclosed – information obtained from you about the functional impact of the disability is shared with academic staff solely for the purpose of assisting you with your studies. Details relating to the Disability Service and the on line registration process can be found on the Disability website.

Useful resources for staff can be found at the staff section of the Disability website.