Welcome! http://web.science.mq.edu.au/for/ - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A/Prof Tracy Rushmer Associate Dean Higher Degree Research FSE

Faculty of Science and Engineering Post-Graduate Research Fund (PGRF) Workshop

http://web.science.mq.edu.au/for/ higher_degree_research_candidates/

Welcome!

• Add value to your research thesis
• Enhance your PG research experience
• Learn from the grant writing process (eg. it is

competitive!)

• PGRF is for value-added HDR project expenses

• How the proposed activity would add value to the

candidate’s thesis?

• The quality and professionalism of the PGRF application.
• How does the activity enhances the postgraduate

research experience?

• Appropriateness of timing of activity in relation to

candidature progress.

• New – How does it fit in with MQ’s Research Framework

(link provided in application form)

Applications include:

1.Conference travel – communicating your research is essential This is the most typical request

• 2. Research costs beyond those

provided by the Faculty (e.g cost

• f new aspects of your project, small

items of equipment)

• 3. Research Visit

This can be the sole reason of the application or an item that adds value to your MQ research (not to look for a post-doc).

What we are funding:

1. Up to $5,000 1. Additional $500: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Commendation Prize which recognises

• utstanding applications.
• These applications show deep understanding and

commitment to your chosen field of study and are written with skill and professionalism

• You need to adhere to the PGRF form guidelines

and submit it by the closing date: Before 4pm, Friday 14 August 2015 (more details later)

• Your supervisor has submitted her/his report

by the closing date

Eligibility and Compliance

• Single-sided; 12 point font; no

staples; within word length limits

• Supporting documents attached
• Acceptance of paper/poster if

available

• Quotes for everything you are

requesting funding for (flights, etc.

• University Annual Progress

Reports

• Day by day itinerary if travelling
• Copies of invitations to visit

research facilities

• Expenditure requested is within

the guidelines

What makes a good application great??

Be enthusiastic and excited by your research and let that shine through! And challenge yourself!!

Dr Adèle Thomas HDR Learning Advisor, FSE

#4 Thesis project summary

• 100 words of plain English

– No acronyms – Avoid jargon (readers are not experts in your field)

• Make sure your sentences flow
• Reader should be able to read, not puzzle
• Don’t leave reader with questions

 

#4 Thesis project summary

• Identify your main aim, it’s significance and

the expected research outcomes

• State your research aim succinctly
• Explain what makes your research

significant and innovative

• Research outcomes ≠ published papers

#4 Thesis project summary

• 5 sentences
• One or two sentences on the following:
• Background
• Gap
• Aim
• Outcomes

Project Summary – Example 1

“It is imperative to develop new, more effective tools to monitor the effects of pollution in marine ecosystems because anthropogenic inputs into the marine environment continue to increase. My project uses proteomics (the study of proteins produced by cells under particular environmental conditions) as a way to identify new biomarkers of pollution in Sydney rock

• ysters. Potential protein biomarkers of pollution will be

identified by using proteomics to analyse oysters after laboratory-based exposure to heavy metals. These putative biomarker proteins will then be tested in field samples to assess their effectiveness as bio-monitoring tools.” “It is imperative to develop new, more effective tools to monitor the effects of pollution in marine ecosystems because anthropogenic inputs into the marine environment continue to increase. My project uses proteomics (the study of proteins produced by cells under particular environmental conditions) as a way to identify new biomarkers of pollution in Sydney rock

• ysters. Potential protein biomarkers of pollution will be

identified by using proteomics to analyse oysters after laboratory-based exposure to heavy metals. These putative biomarker proteins will then be tested in field samples to assess their effectiveness as bio-monitoring tools.”

gap aim

• utcome

Project Summary – Example 2

“Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) is critical to most Australian mining operations, but a common focus on compliance with legislation means that the outcomes of CHM assessments are often of little value to Indigenous Traditional Owners. We aim to apply a research-based framework to CHM on the Rio Tinto Alcan (Weipa) bauxite mining leases that will provide Traditional Owners with a comprehensive understanding of how their ancestors responded to changes in resource availability brought about by environmental change. Enhancing understanding of the past will lead to a better basis for negotiation between traditional owners and mine operators regarding management of cultural heritage.”

“Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) is critical to most Australian mining operations, but a common focus on compliance with legislation means that the outcomes of CHM assessments are often of little value to Indigenous Traditional Owners. We aim to apply a research-based framework to CHM on the Rio Tinto Alcan (Weipa) bauxite mining leases that will provide Traditional Owners with a comprehensive understanding of how their ancestors responded to changes in resource availability brought about by environmental change. Enhancing understanding of the past will lead to a better basis for negotiation between traditional owners and mine operators regarding management of cultural heritage.”

Cut the Clutter!

• Remove “dead weight words and

phrases” As it is well known It has been shown that It should be emphasized that

• Remove long words and phrases

muscular and cardiorespiratory performance = fitness!!

• Remove repetitive words / phrases

Successful solutions Absolutely necessary Combined together Manually by hand

Cut the Clutter!

• Long words / phrases that can be shortened

A number of The majority of Less frequently occurring Give rise to Have an effect on Are known to be Has been suggested to Many Most Cause Rare Affect Are May

Examples of cutting the clutter

Anti-inflammatory drugs may be protective for the occurrence of Alzheimer's Disease.

protect against Clinical seizures have been estimated to occur in 0.5% to 2.3% of the neonatal population. newborns

Thinking about the Flow “old” information at the start provides

– content connection backwards – forward content link, establishing context for the “new” information

• Establishing a clear connection of ideas is

important to help your reader follow the text

• Use connectors (however, furthermore)
• Repeat key terms
• Progression of old to new information

Thinking about the Flow

Caffeine reduces sleepiness and can lead to better academic performance since students can spend more time studying. Despite its effectiveness in counteracting sleepiness, caffeine can have a negative impact on subsequent sleep.

#7 Thesis progress

• Don’t use bullet points
• What have you achieved?
• What do you still want to achieve?

Include:

– Milestones – Discoveries/breakthroughs – Training courses – Conferences/seminars presented – Papers / chapters written

• ½ page maximum
• Write it clearly
• Be convincing

Thesis Progress – Example 1

Progress

• 1. Sampling complete over 2,000,000km2 –

resulting in 874 individual tissue samples.

• 2. DNA extracted for all samples.
• 3. MtDNA ND4 gene has been extracted and

sequenced for all samples.

• 4. MtDNA dataset complete for 874 individuals
• 5. 454 sequencing for new primers completed
• 6. 20 additional microsatellites .... ..... ...... ....

Thesis Progress – Example 2

I have completed observations of 60 sources thought to contain the 25 GHz methanol maser series. I have identified these masers in all my sources and can confirm that the majority have strong emission from four of the eight different maser transitions. I am in the process of identifying whether the physical parameters in all sources are the same i.e. the same excitation mechanisms are responsible for the masers in all 60

• sources. The next stage will be to determine

...... ..... .... .....

Which Thesis Progress Example is Correct?

#9 Conference attendance

• Why this conference?

– Importance? – Relevance?

• Why this year and not next year?

– How does it add value?

learn new techniques? networking opportunities? hear latest research? feedback on your results? establish a name for yourself meet leading researchers

Ms Jane Yang HDR Manager, FSE

#10 Value added to conference travel

Visits to laboratories, libraries, research facilities or seek collaboration

• pportunities, etc. within conference travel route.

How the visits will add value to your thesis Attach invitation letter or correspondence confirming your visit **If the visit is for more than 3 days, the schedule of the day to day activities must be included in the invitation letter or with a supporting/confirming Memo from your supervisor.

# 11. Alignment with Strategic Research

Framework

New requirement!! The Macquarie University Strategic Research Framework 2015-24 can be found at www.mq.edu.au/research.php. The Framework identifies four key objectives and five future-shaping research priorities for the University’s research over the period 2015-24. One of these is the development of world-ready HDR candidates. You are asked to demonstrate how your application aligns with the research priorities and/or key objectives. In preparing your answer, look closely at the Framework and think how your project might be seen to fit with it.

# 12. Have you previously received

support from the PGRF?

A candidate normally hold only one PGRF award during the candidature. However, FSE has set aside additional funds so that eligible candidates can get a 2nd PGRF funded by the Faculty. In Question 12, if you have been awarded a PGRF before, tick the YES box, but you DO NOT need to attach evidence of

• approval. Just add “I am seeking Faculty funding” on the Form, the review panel

will determine whether a 2nd award will be approved. If you were awarded a faculty funded PGRF previously, still tick the YES box and add “awarded Faculty PGRF, now applying for University funded PGRF”.

#13 & 14 Budget, Justification & Itinerary

List all expenses, be comprehensive but conservative (treat this as your own money!) Justify each budget item by clearly indicating why the amount requested is appropriate (by comparing the other options). Must attach day-to-day itinerary as evidence of Per Diem calculations (see the example for some idea). Compare the two examples, which one is better and why?

# 15 Additional costs

You must explain how to meet the costs exceed $5000: supervisor’s grant, departmental HDR project funds to pay for registration or even pay out of your

• wn pocket.

#16 Ethics

If your project requires ethical approval, make sure you attach a copy of the approval to your PGRF application.

#15 & #16

Administrative procedures

Submission: Hard copy

Must be submitted to FSE HDR Team (located in E6A 242) by 4pm, Friday 14 August 2015. Your application must be signed by you, your supervisor and Head of Department. You DO NOT need to worry about the Associate Dean HDR’s signature. We will arrange that.

Administrative procedures

Submission: Electronic copy

The electronic copy of your application must be one single file that contains all the attachments. Email your application by no later than 4pm, 14 August 2015, to sci.hdradm@mq.edu.au In the subject line of your email write: PGRF Application: Lastname_Firstname Electronic copy emailed to the individual HDR team member’s email will not be accepted.

Administrative procedures

Personal leave

Personal leave days should NOT exceed business travel days Personal leave should NOT be more than 7 days (including weekends but exclude travel days) Scholarship holder must also fill in the scholarship leave request form to

• btain University’s approval in advance.

Administrative procedures

Annual Progress Reports

All the annual progress reports are required to be attached to your PGRF

• application. It is the University’s APR, not your departmental progress

review reports. If you do not have a copy of your pervious year’s APR, email to sci.hdradm@mq.edu.au by 7th August to request a copy. Make sure you save your APR this time for your record and future reference.

Finally

The primary goals of PGRF

• to add value to your HDR experiences
• to gain firsthand experience of grant writing process.

If you get funded, make the most of the experiences and show the world how good your research is. If you won’t get funded, don’t be too disappointed. It is not a reflection of the worthiness of your research or even the quality of your application. Mostly it is just because of insufficient funds. Treat this as a valuable learning experiences and try again. Good Luck!

Thank you

END