1. Background
a. An outstanding PhD student has a unique opportunity to conduct research in a project entitled “Expanding the Therapeutic Scope and Biosafety of AAV-Mediated Gene Transfer Vectors for the Treatment of Human Metabolic Liver Disease: In Vivo Reactivation of the Ornithine Transcarbamylase Locus in” Patient cells with oblique X chromosome inactivation. ‘
b. This scholarship is funded by New South Wales (NSW) Health and the University of Sydney under the NSW Health Gene and Cell Therapy PhD Program.
2. Eligibility
a. This scholarship is offered subject to an unconditional offer to accept a full-time PhD in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.
b. Applicants must be ready to conduct research in a project entitled “Extending the Therapeutic Scope and Biosafety of AAV-Mediated Gene Transfer Vectors for the Treatment of Human Metabolic Liver Diseases: In vivo reactivation of the ornithine transcarbamylase locus in patient cells with distorted X” – Chromosome inactivation. ‘
c. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they:
I. have an undergraduate degree with at least credit average or equivalent, and
II. Have research experience as part of an honors program (First Class or Second Class, Division I) or
III. have a Master of Research in a relevant subject.
d. Applicants must either:
I. an Australian citizen,
II. An Australian Permanent Resident or
III. have an appropriate visa that grants residence status and the right to work in Australia until August 30, 2023 or the recipient’s expected completion of the doctoral candidacy.
3. Selection criteria
a. The successful applicant will receive the scholarship based on:
I. academic merit,
II. One-page cover letter stating the interest in the subject and
III. two references from referees.
b. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that they have experience in one or more of the following areas:
I. molecular cloning,
II. Tissue culture,
III. Dealing with animals,
IV. Vector production and / or
V. Immunofluorescence and Immunohistochemistry.
c. Applicants who are shortlisted must attend an interview.
d. The successful applicant receives the scholarship at the suggestion of a selection committee, consisting of:
I. Professor Tracy Bryan (Chair),
II. Members of the Children’s Medical Research Institute Scholarship Committee and
III. an Academic Director of the Faculty of Medicine and Health on the Westmead Campus.
4th value
a. A successful recipient will receive a grant of $ 40,000 per year for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
b. An extension is not permitted.
c. The scholarship holder must start the scholarship by March 31, 2022.
d. The fellowship cannot be postponed or transferred to another research area.
e. The recipient must obtain written approval from NSW Health to receive additional funding to support their PhD, unless the funding source is the University of Sydney.
f. The scholarship holder should not receive any additional scholarships (primary and / or supplementary scholarships) for the duration of this scholarship.
G. The scholarship is awarded subject to the availability of funds.
5. Eligibility for promotion
a. Participation in and passing the annual progress assessment is a prerequisite for progress.
6. Vacation regulations
a. The scholarship holder receives up to 20 working days of vacation leave per year of the scholarship, which can be accumulated. However, any unused vacation will be forfeited when the fellowship is terminated or terminated. Recreational leave does not entail any holiday burden and the approval of the supervisor must be obtained before the leave of absence.
b. The scholarship holder can take up to 10 working days on sick leave each year of the scholarship, which can be accumulated over the duration of the scholarship. Students with family responsibilities who are caring for sick children or relatives or who are affected by domestic violence can convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to care leave on presentation of a medical certificate. Students who take sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as possible.
7. Research abroad
a. The fellow will normally not be allowed to conduct research abroad within the first six months of being awarded and must comply with Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions and those put in place by the University of Sydney.
b. The fellow can conduct their research outside of Australia for up to 12 months. Approval must be obtained from the program management, the school management and the faculty by applying to the higher degree through the Research Administration Center (HDRAC) and is only granted if the research is absolutely necessary for the completion of the program. All stays abroad are cumulative and count towards the candidacy. Students must remain enrolled at the university full-time and receive approval for the absence to be taken into account.
8. Suspension
a. The scholarship holder cannot suspend the award within the first six months of the course, unless a statutory provision applies.
b. The scholarship holder can apply for a suspension of the scholarship for up to 12 months for any reason during the duration of their scholarship. Scholarship suspension periods are cumulative and failure to resume studies after suspension will result in the termination of the scholarship. Approval must be obtained from the student’s supervisor, the school management and the faculty by submitting an application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Center (HDRAC). Study periods during the suspension of the scholarship count towards the maximum duration of the scholarship.
9. Changes to enrollment
a. The scholarship holder must immediately notify HDRAC and their manager of any planned changes to their enrollment, including, but not limited to: attendance patterns, suspension, leave of absence, resignation, course transfer, and candidacy upgrade or downgrade. If the scholarship holder does not notify the above-mentioned changes, the university can demand repayment of the overpaid scholarship.
10. Termination
a. The scholarship ends:
I. in the event of withdrawal or withdrawal from the doctorate,
II. When submitting the dissertation or at the end of the award ceremony,
III. if the scholarship holder is no longer a full-time student and there is no prior consent for the scholarship to be carried out on a part-time basis,
IV. After the recipient has completed the maximum candidacy for his degree under the University of Sydney’s 2011 guideline (Higher Degree by Research) Policy,
V. if the recipient receives alternative or additional scholarships. In the event that the recipient accepts an alternative main scholarship, this scholarship will be canceled in favor of the alternative scholarship if it is of greater value,
VI. if the recipient does not resume studies after an approved leave of absence, or
VII. If the recipient no longer meets the eligibility requirements specified for this scholarship (except during a period in which the scholarship has been suspended or during an approved vacation).
b. The university can also terminate the scholarship before this point in time if, in the opinion of the university:
I. the course is not carried out professionally and conscientiously or in accordance with this offer,
II. The student is not making satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate behavior.
c. The scholarship payments will be suspended for the entire duration of the investigation / appeal proceedings.
d. Once the scholarship ends, it will not resume unless there is an error on the part of the university.
11. Misconduct
a. If a student commits misconduct or any other inappropriate behavior during the scholarship (either during the scholarship or in connection with the application and application for the scholarship) which, in the opinion of the university, justifies the recovery of the funds made available, the university can request the student to: to reimburse payments made in connection with the scholarship. Examples of such behavior include and without limitation; Scientific dishonesty, scientific misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct (e.g. plagiarism when offering, carrying out or reporting research results or failure to declare or handle a serious conflict of interest), violation of the Code of Conduct breach for students and incorrect information in the application documents or other documents in connection with the scholarship.
b. The university can request repayment at any time during or after the duration of the scholarship. In addition, by accepting this scholarship, the student agrees that the university will disclose all aspects of an investigation into misconduct in connection with this scholarship to the sponsor and / or a relevant professional organization.
12. Reporting
a. The successful scholarship holder must provide the following as per the agreement:
I. an annual progress report that includes contributions from both the successful beneficiary and his or her superiors,
II. An annual financial report and
III. a final report at the end of the project.
13. Acknowledgments
a. The recipient of this grant must acknowledge NSW Health and the University of Sydney in their thesis or any publications or presentations resulting from research funded by this grant.
14. Other requirements
a. The successful recipient must participate in the commercialization training program and program evaluation of the NSW Health Cell and Cell Therapy PhD Program if initiated by NSW Health.
