RUN PhD Scholarship Precision Agriculture: Technologies for assessing fruit crop load and quality 1 PURPOSE An opportunity is available for a new PhD scholar to participate in the Regional University Network (RUN) Project Technologies for assessing fruit crop load and quality, under the supervisory panel of Professor Kerry Walsh (CQUniversity), Dr Cheryl McCarthy (University of Southern Queensland) and Dr Troy Jensen (University of Southern Queensland). The project will be conducted at the CQUniversity Rockhampton campus. 2 SCOPE Applications for the Precision Agriculture Scholarship (hereafter the Scholarship ) may be lodged during the advertised application period, by completing the relevant CQUniversity Scholarship Application and Application for Admission. The Scholarship will be awarded by the University through a competitive selection process. Individual applications will be ranked on the basis of merit and responses with the selection criteria. 3 PROCEDURE Project Summary Modern orchards are increasing in size and tree density, with a trend to use of smaller trees. Efficient orchard and market management relies on reliable estimates of fruit load, and of harvest timing. Such data can be used to spatially manage orchard inputs, and, with collection of information across years, allows for management at the level of individual trees through development of appropriate database management and decision support tools. Machine vision holds promise for the automated estimation of fruit load on trees, allowing for improved harvest planning, e.g. Payne, Walsh, Subedi and Jarvis (2014) Estimating mango crop yield using image analysis using fruit at stone hardening stage and night time imaging. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 100, 160-167. Previous image sets can be augmented with new imagery (e.g. multispectral imagery) to feed a project exploring new approaches to the machine vision estimation of mango crop yield. The project may be run as a PhD activity, or sub-setted to provide a Masters activity. This position is a collaborative project involving Central Queensland University and the University of Southern Queensland National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, working together under the recently-launched Regional Universities Network Precision Agriculture Flagship. The student will be hosted by Central Queensland University, Rockhampton campus, with opportunity to collaborate with industry and researchers of other universities. Selection of applicants will be based on merit. Eligibility 3.1 To be eligible for the Scholarship, an applicant must: a) Have completed a Bachelor Degree with Honours I or IIA, or be regarded by CQUniversity as having an equivalent level of attainment, preferably in the area of Agriculture or Psychology. b) Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of Australia. c) Be approved for admission and enrolling in, a research higher degree program at CQUniversity. d) enrol full-time and be an internal candidate at CQUniversity s Rockhampton campus. Page 1 of 6
e) Candidates are also strongly encouraged who have experience in: i. Applied Mathematics and/or computational data processing with an interest in precision agriculture. Students with interest in instrumentation and imaging conditions, or with horticultural skills with an interest in instrumentation and data processing are encouraged. ii. Presenting research results to scientific, industry, and community stakeholders. f) not previously have held a Commonwealth Government-funded or CQUniversity-funded postgraduate research scholarship, unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship s payments commencing; and g) must not be receiving an equivalent award, scholarship or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the Scholarship stipend rate to undertake a research higher degree. 3.2 The successful applicant will be required to publish papers related to their thesis during the period of candidature. 3.3 The successful applicant must commence their candidature in 2016. Tenure of award 3.4 The period of tenure for the Scholarship is three (3) years. 3.5 The duration of the Scholarship will be reduced by: a) any periods of study undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship; or b) towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship (unless the study was undertaken overseas as part of a Commonwealth Government financially supported international postgraduate research scholarship or award. Extension of award 3.4 The scholarship is renewed on an annual basis subject to the candidate maintaining satisfactory progress, as evidenced in candidature Progress Reports. 3.5 There is no provision for an extension to the duration of the Scholarship. Part-Time study 3.6 The University may approve part-time candidature if the candidate has an acceptable reason related to caring commitments, a medical condition, a disability or other circumstance which limits the student s capacity to undertake full-time study for part or all of the course of study. 3.7 A candidate who has been approved for part-time candidature may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of the University. Termination of award 3.8 The University will terminate the Scholarship a) at the end of the period of tenure of the award; b) on submission of the thesis; c) if the candidate has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress; d) if the candidate ceases to be a full-time student and approval has not been obtained from the University to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis; e) if the award holder does not resume study at the end of a period of suspension or approved leave of absence; f) if the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria as specified in Section 3.1 of these Conditions of Award; Page 2 of 6
g) if the University determines that the Candidate has committed serious misconduct, including, but not limited to the provision of false or misleading information in relation to the Scholarship. 3.9 If the Scholarship is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error. Stipend 3.10 The stipend will be paid fortnightly into an account in a bank, building society or credit union, through the University s payroll system. The stipend commencement date will be the date of commencement of study, or in the case of a candidate who is already enrolled, on the date of acceptance of the Scholarship offer. 3.11 The stipend payable is $25,849 per annum (2015 rate) for full-time candidates. The stipend is indexed annually by the University. It is the responsibility of the Candidate to assess the tax liability of their scholarship. Overseas study 3.12 Where a candidate is required to pursue studies overseas for a limited period in order to advance the research program, permission may be obtained to continue to hold the scholarship while overseas. 3.13 Overseas research will not normally be approved earlier than six (6) months into the program. The following requirements must be met: a) the period overseas must not exceed twelve (12) months; b) adequate supervision of the candidate's research program overseas must have been arranged by the School and approved before departure; c) the candidate must return to Australia to complete the research program immediately following the completion of study overseas; d) the candidate must continue to be enrolled as a full-time candidate at the University during the period of overseas study. Research at other organisations 3.14 Approval may be given to conduct research at organisations outside the higher education system. Adequate supervision of the candidate's research program must be arranged by the School. Transfer 3.15 The Scholarship is not transferable to another university. Other courses 3.16 As postgraduate research awards are provided for full-time study, the holder of such an award may not engage in any academic course of study leading to a qualification which is not an essential part of the award recipient's current program. Student charges 3.17 The candidate is required to pay all charges so levied by the University or the Commonwealth on the basis of being a full-time candidate. 3.18 The Scholarship recipient may be eligible to be allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place which will be exempt from liability for tuition fees for the duration of their RTS eligibility. 3.19 The Scholarship is a living allowance stipend and does not cover any program tuition fees. Recreation leave Page 3 of 6
3.20 Candidates are entitled to receive up to 20 working days paid recreation leave for each year of the Scholarship. This leave entitlement may be accrued over the life of the Scholarship but will be forfeited when the Scholarship is terminated. Sick leave 3.21 Candidates are entitled to receive up to ten working days paid sick leave for each year of the Scholarship. This leave entitlement may be accrued over the life of the Scholarship but will be forfeited when the Scholarship is terminated. 3.22 Candidates are entitled to receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during the duration of the Scholarship for periods of illness where the candidate has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under section 3.21, provided that a medical certificate has been provided by the candidate to the University. 3.23 Sick leave entitlements (including additional sick leave) may also be used to cover leave for candidates with family caring responsibilities. 3.24 Candidates who have completed twelve (12) months of their Scholarship are entitled to a maximum of twelve (12) weeks paid maternity leave for a childbirth or adoption occurring within the tenure of the award. Unpaid maternity leave may be accessed through the suspension provisions of the University. 3.25 Candidates who are partners of women giving birth during the Scholarship and who have completed twelve (12) months of the tenure of the award, are entitled to a maximum of five working days paid parental leave at the time of the birth or adoption. 3.26 The duration of a scholarship will be increased by any periods of approved paid maternity leave or approved paid sick leave. Leave of absence 3.27 Approval may be given for up to twelve months suspension of the Scholarship where an approved Leave of Absence has been granted to the Candidate. Such periods of approved suspension will be added to the Scholarship duration. Other employment 3.28 Subject to approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies, a candidate may be permitted to undertake a limited amount of paid employment, provided that such employment does not interfere with the recipient s study program. Employment may not exceed twelve (12) hours in any one (1) week if the award holder is to retain status as a full-time candidate. 3.29 Where such employment is as a tutor, (and each contact hour involves additional hours of marking, preparation, interviewing and administration), the candidate must include additional duties in calculation of total weekly work hours. 3.30 The University cannot require the candidate to undertake employment. Obligations of Recipient 3.31 The recipient is required to notify the Office of Research Services within seven (7) days in writing if: a) the candidate leaves Australia for reasons other than for approved overseas study, approved suspension or approved recreation leave; b) the candidate discontinues full-time study in their CQUniversity research program and is not approved for part-time study; c) the candidate is absent for any reason for a period of fourteen (14) days or longer from the candidate's place of study, except on approved leave. 3.32 The candidate shall abide by relevant legislation on human and animal experimentation and rulings of the Safety and Ethics committees of the University. 3.33 An award recipient is required to conform to the regulations (including disciplinary provisions) of the University. Page 4 of 6
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Obligations of the University 3.34 The Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Procedures" endorsed by the Academic Board outlines the responsibilities of the University, Schools, supervisors and candidates. 3.35 Unsuccessful applicants who believe they have reasonable grounds for dissatisfaction with any aspect of the selection procedure may request a re-evaluation of the original application. Such a request should be made in writing and submitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies through the Office of Research Services not more than twenty-eight (28) days after the date shown on the formal advice of the outcome of the selection procedure. 3.36 A candidate who has reasonable grounds for dissatisfaction with any formal decision made with respect to the conditions of award, may appeal, in writing, to the Dean of Graduate Studies through the Office of Research Services not more than twenty-eight (28) days after the date of the formal notification of the decision. 3.37 CQUniversity recognises the importance of providing prompt and fair complaint resolution procedures for candidates, without victimisation for initiating or participating in the settlement. The candidate s enrolment will be maintained while the complaint and appeals process is ongoing. For further information, please refer to the CQUniversity Academic Appeals Procedures. 4 RESPONSIBILITIES Compliance, Monitoring and Review 4.1 The Dean of Graduate Studies is responsible for ensuring compliance with these procedures. Records Management 4.2 All records relevant to this document are to be maintained in a recognised University recordkeeping system. 5 DEFINITIONS Refer to the University Glossary for the definition of terms used in this policy and procedure. 6 RELATED LEGISLATION AND DOCUMENTS Related Policy Document Suite Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Procedures Academic Appeals Policy and Procedures Approval and Review Approval Authority Advisory Committee to Approval Authority Administrator Next Review Date Approval and Amendment History Details Professor Kerry Walsh Office of Research Services Manager, Office of Research Services Not applicable Details Original Approval Authority and Date 13 August 2015 Page 6 of 6