The School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney is pleased to announce a call for applications for the GHD Foundation Sydney Visiting Scholar Program for 2025. This program is designed to support academic exchange and collaboration, enriching innovative solutions to tackle sustainable development challenges. The program will provide a unique opportunity for one (1) scholar from the University of the Philippines to engage with academics and students at the University of Sydney and collaborate on new research and teaching initiatives that address sustainable development challenges through engineering, applied earth science, or disaster science solutions.
Program Details
The timing of the exchange is flexible around the applicant’s availability but must take place in 2025. Preference will be given to visits that commence in the first half of 2025. Applicants must spend at least 1 month in Sydney as part of the exchange program. We welcome longer, extended visits and can accommodate visits up to 6 months; however, applicants are responsible for covering costs incurred over the award amount.
Examples of proposed research activities could include, but are not limited to, progressing an existing research project, initiating a new project (either in the Philippines or Australia), or training on new research methods. Examples of proposed teaching activities could include, but are not limited to, developing new education content, observing teaching practices, or guest lecturing. Applicants are not required to propose both research and teaching activities but are welcome to do so as part of their visit plan. Preference will be given to activities that have clear links to humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction, and/or climate change adaptation.
Benefits
The School of Civil Engineering will provide the visiting scholar with a workspace and access to university resources (e.g. library) for the duration of their stay. The selected individual will have the chance to connect with a vibrant academic community in the School of Civil Engineering and be invited to attend research seminars and other events. Our Faculty of Engineering offers regular teaching workshops on educational tools and practices for applicants interested in teaching activities. Connections with multidisciplinary research centres at the University of Sydney, such as the Sydney Environment Institute and the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, can be arranged. These centres regularly host academic development and networking events.
Funding
The support package for this award is valued at AUD 14,000. This is intended to cover costs associated with travel (e.g. roundtrip airfare, accommodation, visa fees), living expenses, and the proposed research and/or teaching activities. Round-trip flights and accommodation will be arranged directly for the selected applicant. The balance of funds will be paid to the applicant as a stipend, a portion of which will be paid in advance. Funding cannot be used to cover the applicant’s salary. We will require evidence from the successful applicant that they hold a continuing position (and will continue to receive their base salary) for the duration of the proposed visit to Sydney. The selected applicant will be advised on suitable visas for their stay, but the responsibility to apply for and obtain a visa is the applicant’s sole responsibility.
Outputs
- The selected applicant agrees to give a short seminar on their research and/or teaching activities during their stay in Sydney. This will be arranged by the School of Civil Engineering and open to all academic staff and students.
- We encourage applicants to work on collaborative outputs (e.g. publications, teaching materials) with staff and students at the University of Sydney during their visit. The specific nature of these outputs is not prescribed and can be proposed by the applicant.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a full-time research and/or teaching position at any constituent university of the University of the Philippines.
- Applicants must hold or be currently enrolled in a master’s degree in engineering, earth science, disaster science or a related field. Applicants who have not yet completed a master’s degree must have 5 years of research and/or teaching experience within the University of the Philippines.
Application Requirements
Please upload the following documents to the program application link:
- A cover letter (max 3 pages) detailing the applicant’s interest in the program and alignment with topics described in the program description. The letter should outline proposed research and/or teaching activities to be undertaken during the visit and how the exchange will benefit the applicant in their career upon return to the Philippines. Proposed visit dates must be clearly stated.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV), highlighting relevant research, publications, and teaching activities.
Selection Criteria
Selection will be based on the scholarly merit of the proposed research and teaching activities to be undertaken during the proposed visit, the potential for meaningful collaboration with academics and students in the School of Civil Engineering and across the University of Sydney, and the alignment of the applicant’s goals with the objectives of the scheme. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews in early November. We expect to notify all applicants of outcomes in December.
How to Apply
Please submit the required application materials using the following application submission form: https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9oDzPe8e1lVufRk
The application deadline is 30 November 2024. Questions about the program or applications can be directed to Dr. Aaron Opdyke at aaron.opdyke@sydney.edu.au.
We would like to acknowledge the GHD Foundation for its generous support of this program.