Indigenous Visiting Research Fellow

An excellent opportunity is available for an Indigenous Visiting Research Fellow to join the Immunology Division at Australia's pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

This position description respectfully refers to the First Nations Peoples of Australia as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and Indigenous peoples.

About the Position

The Indigenous Visiting Research Fellowship program will support one Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher for up to a two-year period.

This opportunity supports Indigenous researchers to:

Build hands-on lab experience.

Learn genomic and multi-omic sequencing techniques.

Explore Indigenous health research, with focus on diagnosis.

Contribute to closing the gap in genomic healthcare.

The Fellowship is designed to accommodate the academic and career level of the successful candidate. Flexible funding of up to $300,000 over a two-year period ($150,000 pa) can support relocation, travel, stipend, skills, and professional development. A bespoke work schedule, including remote work, can be discussed i.e. fly-in, fly-out agreement. Researchers not currently employed/enrolled to study at WEHI will be given preference.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will:

Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Be a postgraduate clinician, health professional, early-mid career researcher, or PhD student who have completed their confirmation of candidature.

Have a background in biology, genetics, biotechnology, health and medical sciences or another relevant discipline and want to expand their knowledge in Indigenous genomics.

Have exposure to a laboratory environment.

Be available to undertake the Fellowship at WEHI in Melbourne, Australia (work-from-home/remote flexibility available).

Terms of Appointment

This position is offered over a three to twenty-four month period in a full or part time capacity, to be negotiated as appropriate to the career stage.

The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 and section 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. The position is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

General enquiries can be directed to

A position description is available here.

How to Apply

Please apply by the following steps:

Step 1: Applicants should download and complete an EOI form.

Expression of Interest (EOI) form available here.

Your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage is something that is personal to you and WEHI recognises that your understanding, relationship with community, and identity will be influenced by many factors. In advertising this position WEHI also recognises both the importance of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher to facilitate the work of ALIGN, and the role that WEHI can play in supporting the pipeline of Indigenous researchers.

We therefore ask that you provide some information about your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. While assessing Indigeneity is a complex and challenging process, we want to encourage any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person applying for this position to do so in a way that is appropriate to them and their journey.

Example information could include:

A letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation;

A confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent document executed by an Indigenous organisation; or

A statutory declaration confirming that the applicant is: of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and Is accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

A statutory declaration using language and/or statements appropriate to you

A phone conversation with the ALIGN Program Coordinator

Step 2: Upload Documents

Applicants should upload CV and EOI form in pdf format, along with the above mentioned information.

Application Closing Date:

Applications are currently open for the Indigenous Visiting Research - Genomics Fellowship Program. Applications for this program opened May 2025 and will close October 31 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The job may be reposted after 30 days of posting in line with job board requirements.

WEHI - Brighter together

WEHI is where the world's brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.

WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally. We are a community of researchers, students and professional service staff who work towards achieving discoveries that improve human health. We are driven by collaboration, curiosity and creativity. We are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of people in Australia and around the world. We are WEHI. We are brighter together.

WEHI's commitment to diversity and inclusion

At WEHI we strive to foster a flexible working environment that encourages individual differences and promotes collaboration and creativity. We recognise that talent does not sit within a single identifiable group in our society and that WEHI's ability to shape contemporary scientific thinking and deliver leading professional services relies on a diversity of thought within our organisation. Our action to promote gender equality has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award from Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and we offer a range of support for women researchers.

Our commitment to celebrating diversity and addressing inequities is further demonstrated through our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Gender Action Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan and our WE-Pride network for LGBTQIA+ staff and students. We actively encourage applications from, people with a disability, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people and people with diverse genders and sexualities. Should you require support during the recruitment process due to special needs or consideration, please contact the People and Culture team.

WEHI's commitment to Indigenous employment

WEHI is working to create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be engaged at the scientific frontier, making exciting discoveries and decisions about the future of health in this country, and part of a leading professional services workforce supporting the realisation of these discoveries. We are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace and offering career development and leadership opportunities to First Nations staff and students. We strongly encourage any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.