A*STAR - Research Attachment Programme

We welcome applications from current first or second year Postgraduate Research Students in the following fields:

Research areas under the PhD programme fall broadly into four categories. 

Please click the links below for the lists of supervisors and projects:

• Biomedical Sciences (BMS)
• Computing and Information Sciences (CIS)
• Engineering and Technology (E&T)
• Physical Sciences (PS

Further information can be found here A*STAR Research Focus (a-star.edu.sg). Please note that Research Focus areas may also include a Humanities and Social Sciences research areas.

Students will receive:

• A stipend and allowances whilst on attachment in Singapore – information can be found in the FAQs on the A*STAR website.
• Training and support for their PhD in both Newcastle and Singapore, with supervisors in both locations 
• Opportunities to study at a prestigious institute in Singapore and experience life in another country 
• Opportunities to be part of a network of PhD researchers and establish international collaborations 
• Doctoral College A*Star Award - As part of the University’s PGR Strategic Delivery Plan, the Doctoral College has funding available for one PhD student per academic year. The successful nominee for this award will receive fees and a stipend (equivalent to UKRI level) for their period of study at Newcastle. If you are interested in being considered for this award please indicate on the Expression of Interest Form.
• We also welcome expressions of interest from sponsored students in the relevant fields. Applicants would need to be able to cover their costs for the period of study at Newcastle University. Sponsored students must also contact their sponsor to seek approval in writing that their sponsor will cover their fees and stipend for their period of study at Newcastle University.

• The current arrangement for A*STAR ARAP nominations are considered on a case-by-case basis
• Talk to your academic supervisor and discuss potential under the thematic areas identified as a priority focus.
• The application process requires that your supervisor be in support of your expression of interest and submit an Expression of Interest form in support of your nomination. They must confirm that your research is at a high-quality to undertake the rigours of a period of study in Singapore, that they would support a period of outside study while in Singapore, and that there would be no adverse impact to the completion of your award.
• Once your academic supervisor has been contacted, if they require further information, please direct them to the doctoralcollege@ncl.ac.uk. We will then arrange for a face-to-face meeting as required.
• If sponsored, talk to your sponsor to check that they would approve in principle your collaborative project with an A*STAR laboratory.

Expression of Interest Application Process

This is a two stage process with information required from both the student and their academic supervisor.

Student:

• Once you have checked the compatibility of research area and secured the support of your supervisor and sponsor (if applicable), please complete the Expression of Interest Application online form.
• Please note this EOI is part of the Newcastle University decision making process. As this is a collaborative nomination both parties in Newcastle and Singapore must agree to support and develop the nomination for a PhD supervisee to work in Singapore.
• Applicants must also upload a copy of their CV and give a summary of the proposed research area, including potential research impact, outcomes, and outputs.

Supervisor:

• Once you have checked the compatibility of research area and agreed with your student to nominate them for the scheme you need to complete the Expression of Interest Application online form.
• You will need to add a covering statement as to the suitability of the student, their academic calibre, and what added value this research attachment would generate for the individual, your research field and the University 

Decision Making Process

• Expressions of Interest will be considered at a Cross-University Decision Panel which will meet twice each year. The next panel is scheduled to meet in August and the outcome will be notified to students and supervisors in early September.
• Applications will only be considered if the Expression of Interest:
• Meets the required high-quality academic performance threshold expected from this award. This will be evidenced through the students CV and application.
• Demonstrates strong academic supervisor engagement on a collaborative research proposal. This will be evidenced by the academic supervisor’s supporting statement.
• Aligns with NU-A*STAR research areas
• Demonstrates how the applicant will be supported financially during their period of Study at Newcastle University. EOI form will ask if you want to be considered for the Doctoral College Award.

• The Decision Panel will make recommendations, and the Doctoral College will communicate their decision to the applicant and their academic supervisor, advising of next steps, and arranging a meeting to discuss next steps.
• It is expected that the academic supervisor would be in liaison with their A*STAR counterpart to work on the collaborative research proposal.
• If successful, awardees would need to apply for outside study and their student record amended accordingly.

 The deadline for full submission to A*STAR ARAP is 30 November 2023.