AIR NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP

In conjunction with Air New Zealand, Antarctica New Zealand is administering a one-off postdoctoral research scholarship to an outstanding PhD graduate interested in undertaking Antarctic-related research. The scholarship will be a single payment of NZ$100,000 that must then be augmented by the scholar’s institution for the desired length of the post-doctoral study.

An application form and referee report templates can be downloaded from the Downloads section below.

PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Air New Zealand Antarctic Postdoctoral Scholarship is aimed at those who have recently completed their PhD and who wish to continue their research in a field of Antarctic marine science at a New Zealand institution. It will be a single payment of NZ$100,000 that must be augmented by the scholar’s institution for the desired length of the postdoctoral study. Support for this scholarship comes from Air New Zealand. No logistical support in Antarctica is associated with this scholarship. 

Antarctica New Zealand is seeking applications that address the Marine Systems theme in the New Zealand Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-2020 document. We are targeting the scholarship because of the relatively small amount of New Zealand marine-related research compared with other themes in the Directions and Priorities document. We consider that it is particularly important to better understand current ocean processes and variability to enable prediction of the physical and ecological changes that may result over the coming century. This also has relevance to future management of marine resources south of 60°.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents (Australians who claim residency are required to have completed their PhD in New Zealand).
• Applicants are required to have had their PhD conferred no more than 2 years before the application closing date.
• Applications are encouraged from New Zealand expatriates; however generally, the host institution is expected to support the costs of relocation to New Zealand.
• Applicants must have had no more than two previous posts as a postdoctoral researcher.
• An applicant who has not completed his/her PhD will be required to demonstrate by the date of short-listing that their PhD has been submitted and can be examined (and passed) before an agreed date. Passing the PhD is required before taking up the fellowship.
• The fellowship must be taken up within reasonable time frame of being offered (e.g. half a year).
• Eligible hosting institutions include Crown Research Institutes, universities, research associations and businesses whose prime purpose is research and development.
• Host institutions must provide proof that they are prepared to cover the remainder of the costs to support the postdoctoral research for the length of the research programme.

APPLICATION PROCESS
In addition to a complete and accurate application form (that can be accessed through the downloads section below), candidates must supply:
• Proof of eligibility i.e. certified copies of either
   o New Zealand birth certificate, or
   o New Zealand passport, or
   o New Zealand citizenship certificate and passport identity page, or
   o Returning resident’s visa and passport identity page, or
   o Australian passport, and proof of NZ residency
• A certified copy of their academic transcript(s) including undergraduate and PhD studies; and,
• A signed letter of support from the proposed supervisor for the proposed research programme, including confirmation that the institution is willing to host the scholar and cover the additional costs not covered by this scholarship.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

To be considered, applications and supporting information, must be received by the Science Advisor at Antarctica New Zealand by 5pm, 2nd March 2012.

ADDRESS FOR APPLICATIONS
All applications must be made electronically and sent to: Science Advisor – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Referees should email their referee reports from their own academic or business e-mail address to the Science Advisor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Referee reports should preferably include an electronic signature. If no electronic signature is available, the Antarctica New Zealand may contact the referee by telephone to affirm his/her referee report.

SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection will be based on applicants’ demonstration of academic excellence, depth of understanding of their proposed research and its ultimate purpose, the scientific quality of the research programme, and the relevance of the research programme to the New Zealand Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-2020.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of April 2012, and the programme of research should be taken up within a reasonable time frame.

VALUE
The value of the Air New Zealand Antarctic Scholarship is NZ$100,000 as a one-off payment. It is expected that this will be augmented by the host institution to cover the appropriate costs for the desired length of the postdoctoral research programme.
There is no Antarctic logistics support offered as part of this postdoctoral scholarship.
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have submitted my thesis, but not yet had my viva, can I still apply?
Yes, if Antarctica New Zealand decided to offer you an award, it would be conditional upon you successfully completing your viva and having your PhD conferred by a set date. We will seek evidence from your supervisor/university that the final examination can be done within the time frame.

What date do you use for the 2-year rule?
The date of conferment of your PhD, i.e. the date on your PhD certificate must be within 2 years of the closing date. The intention is that these fellowships go to someone who has recently done their PhD.

I wish to get a reference from my supervisor, is this allowed?
As long as all potential conflicts and interests are clear, we accept references from anyone qualified to provide them. Often a potential supervisor is one of a few people qualified to comment on your competence to undergo a programme of research. We expect them to provide references that are as objective as possible.
One referee should be your PhD supervisor.

What is meant in question 5 by the short “summary suitable for a public media ‘sound-bite’”?
This means one or two lines of text that explain to a lay person the nature and purpose of the research, trimmed of any detail, and suitable for use in press releases. In particular, it should convey the public benefit for doing the research.