The Ainsworth 4 Foundation Future Leadership Fellowship

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) is offering a unique opportunity for an outstanding early to mid-career researcher with international experience to return to Australia and establish an independent research program. This position, titled The Ainsworth 4 Foundation Future Leadership Fellowship, is supported by a three-year fellowship that provides the resources and platform to drive impactful research within WIMR’s translational research framework. This Fellowship aligns with WIMR’s Strategic Plan – Towards 2030, where Precision Medicine is a core priority, and is designed to support innovative research with high potential to improve health outcomes.

The appointed Fellow will develop and establish an innovative research program within one of the 11 established research centres at WIMR using a Precision Medicine approach, prioritizing translational research that addresses critical health challenges. The Fellow’s work will significantly contribute to the advancement of WIMR’s mission, particularly in developing new preventative strategies, diagnostics, and treatments.

Major Responsibilities include:

Research Program Design and Implementation

• Lead the design, planning, and development of an innovative research program focused on Precision Medicine, translating research into high-impact clinical outcomes.
• Seek and secure ongoing funding through competitive grants and other sources to support and expand the research program. It is expected that the successful candidate will seek funding from the NHMRC or MRFF funding streams and ultimately will develop an independent research program.
• Develop and refine research protocols in collaboration with the Centre Director, ensuring alignment with WIMR’s strategic focus on Precision Medicine.
• Provide expert advice on regulatory compliance, policies, and procedures related to research activities, and implement high-standard research protocols.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

• Conduct and oversee data analysis, managing data entry, statistical analyses, and modelling to drive insights and support key research objectives.
• Perform literature reviews and synthesize research findings to advance program development.
• Produce and present preliminary findings, engaging with colleagues to resolve research challenges and drive continuous improvement within the program.

Conducting and Overseeing Research Activities

• Lead research activities within defined areas of Precision Medicine, guiding the development and execution of experiments to further WIMR’s translational research agenda.
• Provide technical expertise to the team, ensuring experiments are conducted accurately and efficiently.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records and oversee the daily activities of research staff and students, supporting their contributions to experimental and analytical work.

 Supervision and Mentorship

• Supervise research staff and postgraduate students, fostering a collaborative environment that supports research excellence.
• Act as a mentor to junior researchers, providing guidance in both scientific and professional development.

Publications and Knowledge Dissemination

• Prepare research findings for publication, contributing to WIMR’s reputation in Precision Medicine and translational research.
• Collaborate on and lead the development of scholarly publications, presentations, and research documentation.
• Represent WIMR at scientific conferences and meetings to share insights, build partnerships, and enhance the visibility of research outcomes.

 Ethics, Compliance, and Safety

• Ensure all research complies with ethical guidelines and industry standards, including OGTR and IBC protocols.
• Maintain a safe work environment by adhering to workplace health and safety policies, especially in laboratory settings.
• Prepare and submit ethics applications as required, upholding the highest standards of responsible research conduct.

 Engagement and Outreach

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships that contribute to WIMR’s translational impact.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities and contribute to academic and professional communities.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following education, experience, and technical knowledge:

• Independent Research and Scholarship: Holds a PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline, with experience in independent research or scholarly activities resulting in publications in refereed journals or equivalent scholarly contributions. Demonstrates potential to make a meaningful impact on their field, working both independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Supervision and Mentorship: Experience in mentoring and supervising postgraduate students or research projects, with a focus on fostering research skills and supporting student development within the field.
• Technical and Regulatory Competence: Extensive experience in research protocol development, regulatory compliance, and laboratory safety. Competent in using research and data tools, with a commitment to WHS and ethical standards.
• Funding and Grant Success: Skilled in developing and securing competitive research grants, with a track record of obtaining funding to support and expand the research agenda.
• Research Project Management: Extensive experience in research project development, including designing protocols, submitting ethics applications, and preparing grant applications, with a proven record in executing competitive research grants, such as NHMRC.
• Strong Interpersonal and Team Collaboration Skills, with Commitment to WIMR Values: Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal abilities to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful team environment that aligns with the Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) values of excellence, accountability, integrity, and community engagement. Skilled in effective communication and conflict resolution, this role models ethical conduct and actively promotes a culture of trust and credibility across all interactions with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, upholding WIMR’s commitment to integrity and transparency.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience in commercialising research discoveries

Eligibility:

• Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in Medical Science or a related field, completed in Australia within 10 years of 1 February 2025 (Career Disruption considerations apply).
• Residency: Must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident.
• International Experience: must be currently living overseas or have returned to Australia from overseas within 12 months of 1 February 2025.

About WIMR

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) is a leading medical research institute in Australia, strategically located at the heart of the Westmead Health Precinct—designated by the NSW Government as the lighthouse precinct for biomedical technology. Governed by an independent Board and closely affiliated with the University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, WIMR is uniquely positioned to drive innovation in medical science, offering a multi-disciplinary research environment spanning Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Cancer and Oncology; Regenerative Medicine and Transplantation; Immunology and Inflammation; Infectious Diseases and Virology; Ophthalmology and Vision Science; Metabolic and Liver Diseases.

At WIMR, our “bench to bedside” philosophy fosters the rapid translation of discoveries from laboratory research to patient care, enhancing diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies. Our work is grounded in precision medicine, leveraging each person’s unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to deliver tailored healthcare solutions.

Situated in one of Australia’s most culturally diverse areas, our research is enriched by the multi-ethnic community of Western Sydney, a microcosm of the world. This partnership strengthens our mission to deliver globally relevant, personalized healthcare and fuels cutting-edge research in AI and genomics that is informed by a representative and globally impactful sample. At WIMR, we believe in transforming medicine to treat the person, not just the disease, and are committed to scaling personalized treatment to reach all patients.