Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026

The Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (DUPRF), formerly known as Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, support and develop early career researchers identified as potential rising stars, to enhance the capacity and capability in key research areas and build the next generation of high-achieving and internationally competitive researchers.

Application key dates

Please note the following internal deadlines:

• Applications open – to be advised
• Applications closed – to be advised
• Outcomes – to be advised

Eligibility

• Applicants must have been awarded a PhD on or after 1 January 2022 or, together with allowable career interruptions, have an award of PhD date that would be commensurate with a PhD Award Date of 1 January 2022.

Funding Amount

• The Fellowship provides 3 years of salary support from a Level A, Step 6 up to the top of Level B classification, commensurate with experience. Please note that for international fellows the third year is subject to meeting visa requirements. Refer to the Guidelines for further information.
• Successful fellows also receive a once-off research support grant of $15,000, to be used throughout the Fellowship. This grant must be used for direct research costs that relate specifically to the research project. These can include consumables, specialised computers, other equipment and resources as well as domestic or overseas travel if permitted.

How to apply

Note: information relating to how to apply for the 2026 round will be available from May 2025.

1. Read the 2025 Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Guidelines (PDF, 533KB) (The 2026 DUPRF Guidelines will be available soon).
2. Liaise with the Faculty/School/Institute/SRIC that aligns most closely with your research interests and identify your proposed supervisor. Refer to the Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Faculty/School, Institute and SRIC contacts page. Please note applicants are required to obtain a supervisor support statement confirming their agreement to host the fellowship and attach to the application.

3. Prepare the following supporting documents to be uploaded as part of your application.

   • Top 5 Publications
   • Supervisor Support Statement
   • Summary of Experience and Contributions
   • Full Research Project Proposal – you must work with your supervisor to prepare this.
   • Curriculum Vitae and Publication List  – to be uploaded as a single PDF document.
   • Evidence of PhD conferral, or letter from your institution indicating you are on track to complete your PhD by no later than 31 December 2024.
   • Evidence of any career interruptions impacting your eligibility (if applicable).  This can be in the form of a Statutory Declaration (This link is for a Victorian Statutory Declaration.  Equivalent Statutory Declarations are also accepted as long as they are in English).
4. Complete the online application form via the Deakin careers website ensuring you upload all supporting documents.
5. Submit the application on or before the closing date and time.

Documents and information

Frequently Asked Questions

2025 Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Guidelines, Instructions and Conditions of Award (PDF, 533KB) (The 2026 DUPRF Guidelines will be available soon).

Career Interruptions Calculator (Available soon)

Step 1:   Enter your PhD Award Conferral date as DD-MM-YYY

Step 2:   Enter the start and finish dates of your career interruption as DD-MM-YYYY

Step 3: Enter the time fraction that you were working at the time of your career interruption
(i.e. 1.0 for full time, 0.8 for 4 days a week etc.)

Step 4:   Select the reason for the interruption from the drop down provided

Your total effective days will automatically be calculated to determine your effective PhD Conferral date.  Your eligibility will be displayed as YES (you are eligible to apply) or NO (you are not eligible to apply).

Impact themes: For further information regarding Deakin’s Impact Themes please see page 15 of Deakin 2030 Ideas to Impact (PDF, 1.9MB).