There are two intakes of new students into the UROP scheme each year to coincide with the winter and summer recesses in July and December, respectively. Applications are received a few months before each intake, i.e. in April and September, respectively.

No. While students commence their placement during either the winter or summer vacation periods and can work during subsequent vacation periods, UROP continues during the academic semester. Students who complete their degrees at the end of the academic year are not be eligible to apply for the December intake.

The scheme will continue at least until the end of 2009 under partial support from the Victorian State Government.

Bio21 Cluster manages UROP in Victoria only. Students from any Victorian Tertiary Institution is eligible to apply as long as they are undergraduates.

Yes, there are a variety of skills required in biomedical research and various projects are offered. The applicant would have to demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing biomedical research or a related field.

During semester the recommended commitment is approximately 8 hours a week, arranged around the students university timetable. During the university recess periods, UROP students usually work full-time for at least some of the vacation. Students are not expected to work during swot-vac and exam periods.

Most laboratories require attendance during usual daytime business hours in order for appropriate supervision to occur.

After appointment, there is a probation period of 3 months. Assuming the probation period is successfully completed, the minimum expected duration of the UROP placement is 6 months, inclusive of the probation period. Students may continue in the UROP scheme while they are undergraduates, as long as their academic performance is maintained to a standard equivalent to that prior to entry into the scheme. Students are not eligible for UROP once they commence an Honours year. Sometimes circumstances arise in the laboratory or with the student that may mean the position may be terminated. In this case, at least two weeks notice must be given by either party.

Entry into the scheme is very competitive. Academic marks are certainly taken into account but we are looking for students who demonstrate a flair and real passion for scientific research and who will benefit the most from exposure to actual novel research.

Students may indicate a particular interest in a research area or laboratory in their application or at interview. Every attempt is made to match students to projects that will interest them or will complement their course but no guarantee can be made that a student will be placed in a particular laboratory.

There is no official forum at which to meet past or current UROP students, although a Presentation Day is held each year at which current and past students present the work they have carried out. Anyone is welcome to attend the Presentation Day. Usually students are acquainted with UROP participants through their course. If you do not know anyone who has participated or is currently a UROP student it may be possible to put you in touch with someone if you contact the UROP Program Manager.

A variety of projects are offered in each round and they are different each time. Students who get through the selection process are matched to relevant projects according to their expressed interests or subject major where possible. In the future, examples of projects completed by UROP students will be able to be viewed on the Bio21 Cluster website.

The hours of attendance are determined between the student and the supervisor. It is recognised that time needs to be taken out for holidays before students return to studying. Alternatively, if time were needed for another job opportunity that would need to be negotiated. Students completing double degrees, particularly Science-Law, often have the opportunity for professional placements in the summer break. Supervisors of these students are made aware of this at the time of the students UROP appointment.

UROP was conceived because it was recognised that students often need to work part-time to support themselves throughout their studies. UROP Students are therefore paid as casual employees. As long as the time commitments of UROP can be met, students may hold another part-time job. However, it is a condition of the UROP placement that the student’s academic standards be maintained. If coursework standards decline as a result of too much outside work, students may be required to terminate their UROP placement.

No. The Bio21 Cluster only acts to administer the UROP scheme. No research is conducted at our premises and we are not part of the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute. All placements are made in the participating institutions and university laboratories and the students employment contract is with the organisation in which they are placed.

The students tenure in the scheme is expected to be at least six months so the exchange would have to be a long enough duration. They would have to be here to apply when the round is open and to attend an interview if successful. Out of session interviews will not be conducted. Many students go on to do postgraduate work after their UROP placement so being able to stay on would be looked upon favourably.

The actual timing of the placement is negotiated between the supervisor and the student based on both parties availability allowing for 2 weeks full time employment in the winter vacation and 4 weeks full time employment over the summer vacation

Applications are called for twice each year and are open in April and September. Specific opening and closing dates are advised with the call for applications.

The application is now an on-line procedure. This is the preferred means of application. The on-line form is accessible on this website only during the period when applications are open.

A letter expressing your interest in the scheme, a curriculum vitae including the contact details of one academic referee, and a copy of your academic results should be attached to the on-line application.

If you are unable to access a computer during the time applications are open, please send a hard copy of your application to the UROP Program Manager, Bio21 Cluster(contact details appear on the website).

Late applications will not be considered.

Students who complete their degrees at the end of the academic year are not eligible to apply for the December intake. This is because UROP is not simply a summer vacation scheme. If you are interested in finding summer scholarships you should visit the relevant university, research institute or health foundation websites.

Likewise, if you complete your degree in the middle of the academic year, you will not be eligible to apply for the July intake.

You should preferably use the on-line application procedure.

If you are unable to do this, applications can be accepted by e-mail or in hard copy, as long as they conform with the application instructions.

No. Receipt of applications on-line will be confirmed by immediate message notification. If you receive any error message, please contact the Program Manager by e-mail.

Close of business (5.00 pm) on the due date.

Specific questions may need to be answered as part of your application letter (see the application instructions attached to the website). Otherwise, you need to indicate why you would like to join the UROP scheme, how it would benefit you and what you believe you have to offer a research group.

The letter of application should be no more than one A4 page long, typed in at least 11 point font. Pages exceeding this limit will be discarded. There is no fixed length for the curriculum vitae but it is preferable to be concise.

A curriculum vitae is a document which summarises your academic and employment history and gives your current address and contact details, including e-mail address. It should also contain the name and contact details of one academic referee whose permission you have obtained for that purpose. Interests and hobbies may also be listed.

Yes, however high school contacts can recede quite quickly. It may be preferable to use a referee who has current knowledge of your academic performance and potential to pursue research. Your university teachers may also be familiar with the UROP scheme. If you do decide to use a high school referee, you must ensure that their contact details are current.

Not necessarily. If you have a lecturer whom you know, you may wish to ask them to be a referee. Alternatively, your tutors or demonstrators may know you better. If you have had some practical experience in a laboratory outside your coursework, you may wish to approach your supervisor from that experience.

Yes, as long as their contact details are up to date, preferably including an e-mail address.

There is no prescription for this. However, as a guide, you should have had meaningful contact with your referee within the last two years.

Yes. However, referees will only be contacted once it has been decided who has passed the interview stage.

No. Referees will be contacted by telephone or asked for a reference in writing by the Program Manager or the prospective supervisor. The referee may include any information they believe is relevant.

At the time of your initial application, it is sufficient to provide a copy of your results downloaded from the student information system. However, if you are selected for interview, you will be required to bring an official university academic transcript with you.

The most up to date record of your results, for the full period of your undergraduate candidature to date, is required.

Yes. The on-line form should be used. The on-line application function will be turned on only during the period of the call for applications.

If you cannot use the on-line form and need to submit by e-mail, please ensure all the required components, i.e. letter, CV and academic record, are included as attachments, preferably as Word documents.

On-line applications: Receipt of on-line applications will be confirmed by an immediate pop-up message notification. If you receive an error message, please notify the Program Manager by e-mail. You will not receive a separate confirmatory e-mail. Please check that you have submitted the 3 required documents as failure to do so is the main reason you would receive an error message.

E-mailed applications: Receipt of applications received by direct e-mail will be confirmed by e-mail within 5 working days.

Hard copy applications: Receipt of hard copy applications will be confirmed by e-mail within 5 working days of their receipt at the Bio21 Cluster office.

If you submit your application by the on-line form (preferred method), you will not receive a separate e-mail confirmation. The confirmation is the immediate pop-up receipt notice seen when you hit the submit key.

If you submit your application by direct e-mail to the Program Manager or by hard copy, you will receive an e-mail confirmation within 5 working days.

MBBS/BMedSc is considered an undergraduate degree and is not considered a double degree. Medical students are eligible to apply but like all UROP students must be available 8 hours per week during the semester and for 2 weeks full time during the winter vacation period and 4 weeks during the summer vacation period. Medicine students are not able to participate in UROP during their AMS year and they are able to suspend their UROP position at this time

Candidates are selected on the basis of their academic record, the quality of their letter of application and the views expressed therein.

Overall marks are looked at but particular attention is paid to results in biological or related subjects

If selected for an interview, you will need to bring an original copy of your academic transcript with you but no other supporting material is required.

We will be looking for people who are enthusiastic about biomedical research so you might want to think beforehand about:

• experiences or people that have inspired you,
• what you think you could bring to the position,
• your motivation in applying for UROP,
• what subjects you really enjoy in your course and
• any areas of biomedical research that are of particular interest to you.

Applicants are ranked after the interviews, and this is used to select those who will be introduced first to potential supervisors. If you have been interviewed and not been informed that your application has been unsuccessful, you will be held in reserve in case other placements are not successful. Reserve candidates are notified of their status.

Applicants not selected for interview are notified by e-mail within 10-15 working days after the close of applications (university e-mail account preferred).

Students selected for interview are notified by e-mail approx 15 working days after close of applications. Interviews are held 2-4 weeks after the close of applications.

Applicants who have been interviewed are notified of the outcome of the interview by e-mail within 2 weeks following the interview.

Successful applicants are introduced to supervisors after the interviews. Depending on the availability of supervisors, the match between the student and the supervisor and the student’s exam timetable, the final placement may occur within two weeks or may not be made until two months after the interview.

Application is very competitive with many more applicants than places. Applicants with an academic average of below the range of 70%-75% are generally not successful except in exceptional circumstances.