Young scientists to be recruited with early-career grants
Macquarie University will receive almost $1.7 million in funding starting in 2010 and 2011 under the federal government’s Super Science Fellowship scheme. The money will be used to fund fellowships which will be made available to early-career researchers recruited both nationally and internationally by the University.
The University was successful in three out of four of its applications and was awarded six three-year postdoctoral fellowships. The application success rate overall nationally was 36 per cent with Macquarie among the leading group of successful institutions.The scheme targets three key areas of research: astronomy and space science; marine and climate sciences; and future industries research – biotechnology and nanotechnology. Macquarie scientists who led the successful bids for Super Science Fellowships include Dr Daniel Zucker from the Department of Physics. His fellowship proposal involves testing current theories of galaxy formation and stellar astrophysics. Another successful fellowship bid overseen by Professor Nicolle Packer from the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, will be used to train two scientists in interlinked-technologies related to genomics, proteomics and glycomics. Finally, the research fellowship project bid submitted by Professor Quentin Parker will investigate planetary nebulae as powerful probes of stellar evolution.In addition, Macquarie marine scientist, Professor Rob Harcourt, was part of another successful bid by the Australian Antarctic Division to study linkages in pelagic ecosystems in a changing Southern Ocean. The University’s Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Jim Piper said Macquarie did exceptionally well to achieve such a high rate of success considering the strong competition.“I’d like to congratulate all the successful groups, and highlight the rapidly growing strength in astronomy and astrophysics, as well as further success in biomolecular science,” he said.The 100 Super Science Fellowships were awarded to 20 eligible institutions, with 50 to commence in 2010 and 50 in 2011. The scheme is designed to keep Australia in the forefront of global research and ensure that it remains globally competitive. More than $27.3 million will be spent over four years in support of exceptional domestic and international researchers to establish and maintain careers in Australia.
Any enquiries from the media should be directed to:
Lyn Danninger
Phone: (02) 9850 7257
Email address: lyn.danninger@mq.edu.au