Facts & figures
Research_
Science fellowship opportunities
Supporting the very best and brightest researchers
Thank you for your interest in research fellowship opportunities in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.
Supporting the very best and brightest researchers is at our core. We offer excellent support for our early- and mid-career research fellows, through mentoring and targeted support schemes.
Many of our fellows have used these opportunities to catapult their career into research leadership roles on the national and international scene.
The University of Sydney has invested heavily in research capacity across the full spectrum of the sciences.
From an island field station on the Great Barrier Reef, to world leading nanoscience laboratories, our scientists have access to world-leading facilities and equipment.
Our multi-disciplinary initiatives and core research facilities offer collaborative spaces, critical mass of researchers, and the very best research tools available.
We encourage you to explore the many fellowship opportunities available and look forward to discussing an option that suits you.
Opportunities
The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) grant opportunity provides focused research support for early career researchers.
It is a launchpad for early career researchers, up to five years out of PhD.
Normally up to 200 three-year DECRAs are awarded each year by the Australian Research Council (ARC). Successful fellows are supported by generous project support from both ARC and University sources.
The DECRA scheme aims to:
- support excellent basic and applied research by early career researchers;
- support national and international research collaboration;
- enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas;
- advance promising early career researchers and promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways; and
- enable research and research training in high quality and supportive environments.
Eligibility
Early Career Researchers receiving their PhD in the last five years or have eligible commensurate career disruption. Check your eligibility
Deadline
Applications for DECRA fellowships commencing in 2026 open 30 January 2025 and close 18 March 2025, but potential applicants should contact their supporting School by 21 September 2024.
The Future Fellowships scheme seeks to retain and attract the best and brightest mid-career researchers to undertake high quality research programs in areas of national and international benefit.
It enables outstanding mid-career researchers 5 to 15 years out of their PhD.
Up to 100 four-year Future Fellowships may be awarded each year by the Australian Research Council (ARC). These fellows are supported by generous project support from both ARC and University sources.
The Future Fellowships scheme aims to:
- support excellent basic and applied research and research training by outstanding mid-career researchers to be recruited by universities in academic positions;
- support national and international research collaboration; and enhance the scale;
- focus of research in Australian Government priority areas.
Eligibiity
Future Fellowships candidates receiving their PhD in the past five to 15 years or have eligible commensurate career disruption. Check your eligibility.
Timeline
Applications for Future Fellowships commencing 2025 open 17 September 2024 and close 31 October 2024. Potential applicants should contact their supporting School by 12 July 2024.
The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme supports excellence in research by attracting world-class researchers and research leaders to key positions and creating new rewards and incentives for the application of their talents in Australia.
It is aimed at world leaders, building research capacity for the benefit of all.
Preference is given to researchers who will play a significant, sustained leadership and mentoring role in building Australia’s internationally competitive research capacity.
Up to 17 five-year Australian Laureate Fellowships may be awarded each year by the Australian Research Council (ARC), providing a salary supplement, in addition to a Level E professorial salary provided by the Administering Organisation; funding for up to two Postdoctoral Research Associates (five years) and two Postgraduate Researchers (four years); and up to $300,000 per annum project funding.
The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme aims to:
- support ground-breaking, internationally competitive basic and applied research;
- forge strong links among researchers, the international research community and/or industry and other research end-users;
- enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas;
- attract and retain outstanding researchers and research leaders of international reputation; and
- provide an excellent research training environment and exemplary mentorship to nurture early-career researchers.
Timeline
Applications for Australian Laureate Fellowships commencing 2025 open 22 August 2024 and close 02 October 2024, but potential applicants should contact their supporting School by 1 July 2024.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grants scheme provides the highest performing researchers at all career stages with funding for their salary (if required) and a research support package (RSP) for 5 years.
Investigator Grants will support:
- different career stages (early career researchers, mid-career researchers and established researchers);
- researchers with clinical responsibilities (such as clinicians, public health and allied health practitioners);
- research across the four pillars of health and medical research: biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research; and
- full-time and part-time researchers.
Structure
Investigator Grants will be offered in two categories:
Emerging Leadership (EL): recipients will have the title ‘NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow’,
Leadership (L): recipients will have the title “NHMRC Leadership Fellow’
Five levels of salary support and six tiers of research support packages (RSP) will be offered across the scheme.
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Investigator Grants will be restricted to researchers who are ≤10 years post-PhD or equivalent on 1 March of the application year. Investigator Grants comprise a Research Support Package (RSP) and a salary component.
The salary component of Investigator Grants is provided as a contribution to assist Administering Institutions with employing the successful applicant. However, an Investigator Grant recipient’s total salary is agreed through negotiation between the researcher and their Administering Institution.
Salary
Applicants to the Investigator Grant scheme select the most appropriate Level (Emerging Leader 1 - Leader 3) for their career stage and the percentage of salary required to support their research activities, while ensuring they meet eligibility requirements.
If applicants request a salary, the Leadership Level selected will determine the salary awarded. Salary levels have been set at the top of current, broadly equivalent NHMRC Fellowship levels.
Research Support Packages for NHMRC Investigator grants
Successful applicants at Emerging Leadership Levels 1 and Level 2 will be awarded a fixed RSP of $50,000 and $200,000 per annum, respectively.
There are four tiers of RSP for the Leadership Investigator Grants. These have been set at $300,000, $400,000, $500,000 and $600,000 per annum and will be allocated independently of the Leadership level, based on the overall peer review score of the application.
As a comparison, the average Project Grant provides approximately $200,000 per annum for three years (excluding clinical trials grants). Research Support Packages can be used to fund Direct Research Costs.
Timeline
Applications for NHMRC Investigator grants commencing in 2025 open 19 June 2024, Internal HARD deadline 08 August 2024, and close 15 August 2024.
Contacts
The Faculty of Science is structured with Associate Heads of Research located in each of the Schools.
For further information please contact your Associate Head or your Research Adminstration officer who can provide you with an information pack and assistance with your application.
We also encourage you to reach out to the relevant School contact aligned with your area of research.
School |
Associate Head of Research |
Research Administration Officer |
School of Chemistry |
Associate Professor Markus Muellner |
|
School of Geosciences |
Dr Maria Seton Professor Phil McManus |
|
School of History and Philosophy of Science |
Professor Dean Rickles | |
School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Associate Professor Joy Becker | |
School of Mathematics and Statistics |
Professor Ruibin Zhang | |
School of Physics |
Associate Professor Archil Kobakhidze | |
School of Psychology |
Professor Muireann Irish | |
Sydney School of Veterinary Science |
Professor Jan Slapeta |