The Judith Whitworth Fellowship

The John Curtin School of Medical Research has established a Fellowship for Gender Equity in Science, named in honour of past JCSMR Director Professor Judith Whitworth. This Fellowship will support excellent early–mid career scientists who have experienced significant career disruption as a result of maternity or parental leave. This Fellowship will provide up to two years of salary and research support for the successful candidate. This period will allow the successful candidate time to re-establish scientific projects, strengthen their track record and regain national and international competitiveness to achieve independent external research funding.

Information for Applicants 

  • The Fellowship, which is merit based, will provide up to two years of salary, and research support (to a maximum of $50,000) to an early-mid career scientist who in the last 3 years (approximately) has experienced a period of significant career disruption of at least three months as a result of maternity or parental leave.
  • Applications will be accepted from individuals who hold a PhD or equivalent, have a strong publication record relative to opportunity prior to the period of parental leave and have demonstrated funding competitiveness as chief/principal investigator in fellowships and/or or research grants at a national or international level.
  • Applicants must have an intended program of research that is aligned with one of the research strengths of the JCSMR, and be supported by their intended supervisor, and the Director of the JCSMR.
  • The Fellowship must be undertaken at The John Curtin School of Medical Research. Salary support would be commensurate with experience, as per ANU pay scales. The option exists for the Fellowship to be taken part time over a maximum of four years.
  • If in any year, two or more persons equally merit the award of the Fellowship, more than one fellowship may be awarded subject to funding availability. The University reserves the right not to award the Fellowship in any one year if there is no applicant who meets the selection criteria.
  • Applications must include a brief description of research achievements, full curriculum vitae including a list of relevant publications and past/current funding support, a statement outlining the nature of the career disruption, a brief research plan (maximum 2 pages + references) and the names and contact details of two referees.