Prestigious scholarship on offer

Applications are now open for the 2012 John Bicknell Scholarship.
 
The scholarship is awarded to the most outstanding domestic or international PhD applicant.
 
Valued at $105,000, the scholarship is the most prestigious offered by the AMC. It consists of a living allowance of $30,000 per annum, for 3 years, and research project operational funds of up to $5000 per annum.
 
 The late Captain John Bicknell was a long-serving AMC Council member, as well as the chairman of the AMC Search Ltd Board from 1998 till 2004.
 
The commemorative John Bicknell Scholarship was first awarded in 2005.  This is the first year that operational funds have been made available in addition to a living allowance. The funds are restricted to the eligible projects (below) chosen by the successful applicant.
 
For further information, or individual project contact details see below or visit the AMC Research Scholarships pages online. Applications close on 1 March 2012.
 
Eligible Projects for the 2012 John Bicknell Scholarship
Transient wave loads on oscillating water column wave energy converters:
Alternative renewable energy resources can generate the power for a considerable percentage of our energy needs, without causing harm to the environment, but getting the best out of these devices is challenging due to the spread of energy of ocean waves over a wide range of frequencies and directions. This project will evaluate wave loads experimentally and numerically.
Contact Dr Walid Amin for more information about the project or the Graduate Research Coordinator for information about AMC’s RHD study programme or the application process.
 
Factors affecting the health of finfish species with significant commercial or recreational value in Tasmania
There is scant information regarding the health of fish such as flathead, Australian salmon, banded morwong and wrasse, that not only have significant recreational and cultural value to the Tasmanian community but also commercial and/or economic value.  This project will assess factors such as pollution on the health of finfish species.
Contact Dr Melanie Leef for more information about the project or the Graduate Research Coordinator for information about AMC’s RHD study programme and the application process.
 
Integration of rail freight transport into the value chain to create environmental, social and economic benefits.
This project will identify the key value chains in Australia and investigate those which can be integrated with rail freight transport. The legislative environment and key infrastructure and facilities required to achieve successful integration will be identified and examined. Rail transport operations and management practices will be evaluated in order to identify the adjustments required to provide the efficiency and effectiveness required by transport users.
Contact Dr Jiangang Fei for more information about the project or the Graduate Research Coordinator for information about AMC’s RHD programme and the application process.
 
A study of the effects of suspended matter and algal types on water leaving fluorescence signals:  Improving methods of water quality sampling in coastal waters.
Estimation of phytoplankton biomass is an important characteristic commonly used to assess the quality of coastal water bodies. This project will examine how the quality and quantity of suspended matter under different phytoplankton influence the fluorescence signal leaving the coastal ocean. It will also analyse imagery collected by satellites that measure the fluorescence signal. 
Contact Dr Andrew Fischer for more information about the project or the Graduate Research Coordinator for information about AMC’s RHD programme and the application process