Students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) now have the chance to learn from different scientific disciplines thanks to a new exchange program established by Imaging CoE. The program will help with their interdisciplinary studies by allowing them to use tools and techniques from outside of their usual fields of expertise, and will benefit the Centre by seeing data exchanged between our different nodes. All Honours, Masters, PhD students and ECRs at the Centre are eligible to apply for this program. We’re delighted and proud to say that our students have been integral to its development, helped by co-ordination from Ms Catriona Nguyen-Robertson of the University of Melbourne and Dale Godfrey, our mentoring officer CI.

Program benefits

• Participants will be exposed to and learn techniques that they may not have the opportunity to use in their own laboratory.
• Participants will receive guidance and support from a CI at another node, who can provide a different perspective on their work.
• Participants will have the opportunity to establish connections and networks at other institutions, which may help them in their future aspirations/career as a research scientist.
• Participants can provide a unique perspective on the work undertaken at their host institution.
• Better communication and collaboration across Centre nodes and establishment of a strong network within the Centre.

How to participate in the program

Students and ECRs interested in participating in this exchange program should email the following documents to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at [email protected]:

• A personal statement (max 500 words) outlining the reasons for undertaking the intended study or research and how the experience will contribute to the staff/student’s field of study.
• Evidence of arrangements with host CI/AI group to undertake research at the host institution.
• A letter of support (max 500 words) signed by both the applicant’s home CI and the relevant CI/AI at the host institution.
• CV with details about your educational and employment history, any significant scholarships, prizes and extracurricular activities (if applicable).

The COO will review and approve applications on a rolling basis, in consultation with the Centre Director. Approvals will be given within two weeks of receiving a completed application. Each successful applicant will receive a fixed $1,000 award (ex. GST) which may be used for travel, accommodation expenses, purchase of consumables and/or access to research infrastructure at the host institution. Upon successful completion of the exchange program, the applicant will be interviewed by the Media and Communications Manager to document their exchange experience, which will be featured in a Centre newsletter and/or website. The applicant’s home CI will also be required to invoice the Centre ([email protected]) for the reimbursement of the $1,000 award upon successful completion of the exchange visit.