Deakin chases bright young researchers

Deakin University is seeking 12 bright young researchers for its inaugural Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Fellowships program.

"We have introduced these fellowships to develop the next generation of Deakin researchers," said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor David Stokes.

"The program will allow talented early career researchers to work under the direct supervision of Deakin's established world-class researchers and rising stars.

"The fellowships also honour the man after whom our University is named, Australia's second Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin.

"He was a man committed to the quest for new knowledge. So too is this University."

Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Fellowship holders will receive a stipend of approximately $60,000 a year together with a support grant of $15,000. They will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, with potential for extension.

Projects covered by the Fellowships are:
* Diet and inflammation, led by Associate Professor David Cameron-Smith
* Reducing UV damage to polymer solar cells, led by Dr Tong Lin
* Mechanical behaviour of metal nano-particles, led by Associate Professor Matthew Barnett
* Understanding malaria pathogenesis, led by Dr Tania De Koning-Ward
* Obesity resilience in the disadvantaged, led by Associate Professor Jo Salmon
* Nature inspired antibiotics, led by Dr Fred Pfeffer
* Migrant integration into Australia, led by Professors Sue Kenny and Fethi Mansouri
* Video games and ecology, led by Professor Clare Bradford
* Health and canola oil, led by Dr Paul Lewandowski
* Nation building in the South Pacific, led by Professor David Lowe
* Facial age estimation methods, led by Professor Kate Smith-Miles
* Prisoner reintegration into the community, led by Professor Joe Graffam