What are the benefits to participating in UROP ?
There are many benefits to participating in UROP. As a student, you will:
- Be part of the excitement of being a researcher in an internationally competitive laboratory
- Experience being part of a research team
- Develop expertise in laboratory techniques and experimental design
- Potentially contribute to scientific publications, patents and presentations
- Create future job and post-graduate opportunities through networking
- Benefit from workshops in scientific and career development
How much time does participation require ?
In general, the students are expected to spend 8 hours per week on their project. The times are arranged between supervisors and students to fit in with both the students and supervisors commitments. During vacation periods, students would usually work in the laboratory full-time for a total of at least 6 weeks (4 weeks during the summer and 2 weeks during the winter recess). It is required that students commence their project during the vacation period, so they can integrate into the laboratory before semester recommences.
Who can apply ?
The scheme is open to any undergraduates in any Victorian tertiary institution. Students can join the Program from the second year onwards of their undergraduate course (or third year onwards in the case of double degrees). Students currently in the first year of their course (or first two years in the case of double degrees) or in their final semester are not eligible to apply.
The scheme appeals particularly to Science, Biomedical Science and combined-Science degree students, including those studying bioinformatics, mathematics and statistics, the biomedical sciences, genetics and molecular biology. Students from non-scientific courses are welcome to apply but will need to demonstrate their particular interest in biomedical research.
When are applications open ?
There are two rounds of UROP intakes per year to coincide with the winter and summer vacations.
Applications for the winter round are open in April and applications for the summer round are open in September.
Applications for the Summer 2011/12 round are now closed. The next round of UROP will open on 26th March 2012.
How can students apply ?
Students submit a letter of application, a CV including the name of one academic referee, and a copy of their academic transcript using the online form on the website. Please note there is no notification of successul submission.
Applications use an on-line procedure. Click on the UROP Application tab that will be activated at that time.
Applications for Summer 2011/2012 closed on 26th September 2011. There will be no exceptions for late applications.
Please note, there are specific instructions associated with your application that may change from time to time. DO NOT complete the application form without reading the Instructions first. Updated instructions are now available (click here). Incorrect or incomplete applications and documents sent to the UROP office as attachments to emails will not be accepted.
***All attachments must be in .doc or pdf format. not docx. Applications in other formats will not be considered* Please read the Application Instructions before submitting your application.
How are students selected ?
The selection process occurs in 3 stages:
- Students are selected for interview based on their entire application.
- At an interview, particular subject areas of interest can be discussed. These are used to assist matching the student to a particular project.
- After the interview, selected applicants are introduced to a suggested supervisor at an informal meeting, to discuss the scope of the proposed project. If successful, students receive a letter of offer containing an outline of the work to be performed. If the meeting with the proposed supervisor is not successful, we would endeavour to find an alternative placement for the student.
Are students paid ?
Students receive an hourly casual rate of pay for the time they work on their project, approximately equivalent to Higher Education Worker (HEW) 2 Casual. They are required to fill out time sheets to confirm their attendance. Payment is managed through each research institution's Human Resources unit.
What conditions apply to UROP projects ?
Students receive full safety training upon induction into the research institution. In the time that they are present in the research institution, they are covered by all regulations and conditions governing the organisation, including occupational health and safety, good scientific practice, ethics, intellectual property and confidentiality.
What are the students’ responsibilities ?
Students are required to:
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Work in a manner that complies with codes of good scientific practice, animal and human ethics regulations and occupational health and safety procedures.
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Sign the Intellectual Property and Confidentiality agreements of the research institution (if applicable).
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Work in a cooperative manner with other members of the research team, sharing results and meeting regularly with their supervisor.
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Keep to the hours of work agreed to between the student and supervisor and give reasonable notice if they need to suspend work on their project in order to concentrate on their studies. Note that the students performance in their undergraduate course must come first and academic performance will be monitored to ensure it is not detrimentally affected by participation in UROP
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Provide the UROP office with an up to date contact email at all times and repond to annual calls for feedback when it is required
Who manages UROP ?
UROP is part of the Bio21 Cluster. UROP team provides the recruitment service only and does not directly employ UROP students. Students placed in the scheme are employed by the hosting organisation or institution.
How do I connect with other UROP students ?
There is a UROP facebook site at UROP-Bio21 Cluster http://www.facebook.com/pages/UROP-Bio21-Cluster/10154215936. There is some material posted on the facebook site that is not provided through any other media and it is recommended that all UROP students become fans of the site.