The Australian Museum is Australia's first and largest natural history museum, with outstanding zoological, geological and ethnological collections covering Australia, New Guinea and the Western Pacific region. Scientific staff undertake research in all major zoological groups, palaeontology, mineralogy and petrology, anthropology, marine and terrestrial ecology and materials conservation. The Museum also operates the Lizard Island Research Station at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island Doctoral Fellowships.

The Museum offers a variety of fellowship opportunities including the Chadwick Biodiversity Fellowship, Visiting Research Fellowships, Visiting Collection Fellowships, the Leo Fleischmann Visiting Fellowship in Pacific Islands Arts and Material Culture and Australian Museum Postgraduate Awards.

Geddes Visiting Research Fellowships

These fellowships are available to researchers working as collaborators in research projects with Australian Museum Scientists. Research Fellows are chosen for the skills, knowledge and/or expertise they bring to a specific project. Proposals that further the Museum's research priorities as set out in the Science Research Strategy 2007-2012 are encouraged.

Awards will be held at the Australian Museum, although could be spent partly in the field. Fellowships are available to assist in meeting living costs (up to $770 per week), travel and research expenses (e.g. bench fees, and specialist analyses).

Fellowships may not be used for salary or stipend. A statement on letterhead from an applicant's employer certifying that his or her salary or stipend and associated expenses will be paid by that institution during the tenure of the fellowships must accompany the application. The maximum amount of the fellowship is approximately $8,000. Research Fellowships are available for a maximum of 12 months (with salary and related costs externally funded).

Research Fellows are nominated by a staff member of the Australian Museum who is the leader of a research project. Nomination forms must be signed by the Project Leader and by the relevant Australian Museum Branch Head. Completed nomination forms must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and the names and contact details of at least two referees.

• Visiting Research Fellowships Nomination Form

Geddes Visiting Collection Fellowships

These fellowships are designed to promote research into significant collections held by the Museum. The primary aim is to promote collection-based research that enhances the collection, including fieldwork. Proposals that further the Museum's research priorities as set out in the Science Research Strategy 2007-2012 are encouraged.

Fellowships are available to assist in meeting living costs (up to $770 per week), travel and research expenses (e.g. bench fees, and specialist analyses). Fellowships may not be used for salary or stipend. A statement on letterhead from an applicant's employer certifying that his or her salary or stipend and associated expenses will be paid by that institution during the tenure of the fellowships must accompany the application. The maximum amount of the fellowship is approximately $8,000. Collection Fellowships are available for a maximum of 12 months (with salary and related costs externally funded).

Applicants are advised to liaise with the relevant Australian Museum Collection Manager when planning their project. Application forms must be signed by that Collection Manager. Completed application forms for Visiting Collection Fellowships should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and the names and contact details of at least two referees.

• Visiting Collection Fellowships Application Form

Leo Fleischmann Visiting Fellowship in Pacific Islands Arts and Material Culture

This fellowship was established in 1995 by Ms Senta Taft-Hendry in memory of the late Leo Fleischmann of Galleries Primitif, Woollahra. It is designed to encourage research into the arts and material culture of the Pacific Islands. Preference will be given to self contained projects that address the Australian Museum's interests and focus on the Museum's collections. The award is generally offered every two years, as funds are available. It is being offered in 2009/10. The Leo Fleischmann Visiting Fellowship can be awarded in conjunction with one of the other Australian Museum Fellowships but a separate application is required.

Eligibility: Applicants should be Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. They should have at least an Honours degree or other appropriate research or experience qualifications. Students are not eligible and the fellowship is not meant to support or supplement thesis work.

Terms: The value of the Fellowship is approximately $2500 as a grant-in-aid for the approved research project. This may be used as a contribution toward living costs (up to $770 per week), travel, purchase of essential research materials and field costs.

Conditions: The award will be taken up in the financial year of the award. The Fellowship will be paid in two installments: the first after signing acceptance, the second (10%) on receipt by the Museum of a written report on the work achieved. The Fellow will be expected to spend a substantial part of the Fellowship time at the Australian Museum and to give at least one seminar. All publications arising from or assisted by the Fellowship must include acknowledgment to the Leo Fleischmann Visiting Fellowship scheme and the Australian Museum.

The selection committee reserves the right not to make an appointment, or to make an appointment by invitation.

It is highly recommended that potential applicants discuss their projects with Museum Anthropology staff prior to submission to identify any special needs, to check that there is no overlap with an existing project; and that the project can be accommodated. Museum Anthropology staff however, will not assist in the preparation of the actual application.

For information about the Australian Museum's ethnographic collections contact Dr. Robin Torrence (Tel:+61 2 9320 6401).

• Leo Fleischmann Fellowship Application Form

General Conditions for Fellowships & Awards

One hardcopy and one electronic copy (via email) of the application and supporting documentation, including curriculum vitae are required for all fellowships and awards.

All publications arising from or assisted by fellowships or awards must include acknowledgment of the Australian Museum. Further, one copy of any such publication should be forwarded to the Australian Museum.

The recipient of the fellowship or award will sign a standard data license agreement for use of Australian Museum collection data and will adhere to copyright conditions associated with data and imagery.

Awardees are expected to give a staff seminar at the Museum on their research.

The information gathered on applications will be used only for the purpose specified for these fellowships and awards. For further information, read the Australian Museum Privacy Statement.

Awardees will be provided with basic office facilities. Library access and photographic services will be under the same conditions and rates as are offered to staff.

For information about Fellowships and Awards please contact:

Rebecca Hancock
Office of the Assistant Director (Research and Collections)
Australian Museum
6 College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2010
AUSTRALIA
Tel: (+612) 9320 6457
Fax: (+612) 9320 6015