Early Career Research Fellowships (McKenzie, Mary Lugton and Puzey)

2026 Early Career Reearch Fellowships Scheme (McKenzie, Mary Lugton, and Puzey) (The University of Melbourne) 

Location: Parkville

We are seeking expressions of interest from early career academics for the Early Career Researcher Fellowships Selection Process, which includes the McKenzie, Mary Lugton and Puzey Postdoctoral Fellowships. The fellowship is a period of concentrated research time that enables outstanding early career researchers to strengthen their research, generate new projects and collaborations, develop research leadership capabilities, and contribute to the broader research objectives of the University. Applicants with a PhD from any University, including Melbourne, and Indigenous postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply. 

This is a highly competitive opportunity, with up to sixteen McKenzie Fellowships available each year, as well a one each of Mary Lugton Fellowship and Puzey Fellowship . Under the McKenzie Fellowships scheme, the University aims to offer at least two of fellowships annually to high-calibre Indigenous postdoctoral researchers. These fellowships are targeted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researchers and are also open to applications from First Nations people internationally. 

The University will fund a three-year full-time appointment commencing at Level A.6 in the University salary band plus superannuation. 

Fellows will benefit from project funding of up to $25,000 to be spent over the term of their Fellowship, access to early career researcher support programs and mentoring, and lasting links to the global network of talented McKenzie Fellows alumni. 

Fellowships will commence between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026. 

Applicants must identify an Academic Contact to support their application (2026 Academic Contact’s Endorsement Form ). 

Prospective applicants must discuss their interest in the program with the relevant faculty at the University of Melbourne, prior to submitting their application. 

Further information on eligibility, contacts, and how to apply: 

2026 Early Career Research Fellowships Schemes  

Key Dates: 

24 April 2025 - Expression of Interest Closes  

9 July 2025 - Short-listed EOIs will be invited to submit a full application

30 July 2025 – Full applications due  

Applications will not be accepted through email. Please refer to the scheme webpage for information on how to apply. 

Position description:   2026 Early Career Researcher Fellowships (McKenzie, Mary Lugton, Puzey)_PD.pdf