Are you a recent PhD graduate looking for a fully funded postdoctoral opportunity at one of the world’s top universities? The University of Melbourne is now accepting applications for the Early Career Researcher Fellowships 2026, a consolidated and prestigious fellowship program for international and Australian researchers. Melbourne University Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 combines three main programs — McKenzie, Mary Lugton, and Puzey Postdoctoral Fellowships — and offers early career researchers a pathway to grow their research career at a globally ranked institution. With generous funding, a competitive salary, and strong academic mentorship, this is a perfect chance to take your research to the next level.

Whether you’re in the fields of science, arts, engineering, law, education, medicine, or more, this fellowship could be your gateway to advanced research, impactful collaborations, and a global academic network.

About the University of Melbourne

Ranked among the top 50 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings), the University of Melbourne is a leading institution in academic excellence, research innovation, and international collaboration. It consistently attracts global talent, offering a vibrant research environment, modern infrastructure, and exceptional academic support across its faculties. The University has a long history of producing world-changing research in fields such as medicine, engineering, social sciences, and the arts.

Melbourne Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026- Overview

Feature	Details
Fellowship Name	Early Career Researcher Fellowships (McKenzie, Mary Lugton, Puzey)
Host University	University of Melbourne, Australia
Type	Fully Funded Postdoctoral Fellowship
Degree Level	Postdoctoral (PhD required)
Eligibility	Open to international and Australian PhD holders
Application Deadline	24 April 2025 (EOI Deadline)
Commencement	By 30 June 2026

Melbourne University Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 Benefits

Early Career Fellowships Australia offers several benefits: 

• ECR Fellowship University of Melbourne’s salary starts at AUD 83,468 to 113,262 annually, Academic Level A6
• An additional AUD 25,000 in research support funding (one-time allocation)
• Fellowship duration: 2 to 3 years, depending on the scheme
• Research-only focus (1.0 FTE)
• Superannuation and on-costs included
• Access to advanced research facilities and expert academic mentors
• Work in a world-class interdisciplinary research environment
• Eligibility for faculty-specific professional development and career support

Types of Fellowships Offered

McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

• Established in 2010
• Open to all research fields of interest across faculties
• Offers 16 fellowships annually
• Fellowship duration: 3 years
• Salary at Academic Level A6 + AUD $25,000 research support

Mary Lugton Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

• Focused on the discipline of botany
• One fellowship awarded per year
• Funded by the Mary Evelyn Lugton Fund
• Fellowship duration: 2 years
• Salary at Academic Level A6 + AUD $25,000 research support

Puzey Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

• Rotates across faculties each year
• In 2026, this will be opened to applicants in the Faculty of Science. One fellowship awarded per year
• Fellowship duration: 3 years
• Funded by the Elizabeth and Vernon Puzey Foundation
• Salary at Academic Level A6 + AUD $25,000 research support

ECR Fellowship Australia Eligibility Criteria

To apply for Early Career Researcher Fellowships 2026 at the University of Melbourne, requirements include:

• Must hold a PhD degree (awarded or requirements met) in a relevant discipline
• PhD completion must be on or after 17 March 2022
• Open to both Australian and international candidates
• Must not have previously held a McKenzie, Mary Lugton, Melbourne, or Puzey Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Must be available to commence by 30 June 2026

Application Process

The application follows a two-stage process managed centrally through the Early Career Researcher Fellowships portal:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) Stage

• Submit your EOI via the relevant SmartyGrants portal
• Indicate which of the three fellowships you are applying for
• Establish an Academic Contact at the University of Melbourne using the Find an Expert tool
• Submit your EOI by 3 PM, 24 April 2025

2. Full Application Stage (By Invitation Only)

• Shortlisted candidates from the EOI stage will be invited to submit a full application
• Submit completed application and referee letters via SmartyGrants by 30 July 2025
• Final decisions will be announced by September 2025

Participating Faculties

These Postdoctoral Fellowships in Australia for international students 2026 are open across multiple faculties at the University of Melbourne:

• Architecture, Building and Planning
• Arts
• Business and Economics
• Education
• Engineering and Information Technology
• Fine Arts & Music
• Law
• Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
• Science

Selection Criteria

For the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Australia 2026, you will be evaluated on the basis of the following:

• Proposed Research Project (40%)
• Track Record and Publications (40%)
• Strategic Alignment with faculty and university priorities (20%)

Key Dates

• 24 April 2025 (3 PM) – EOI submission deadline
• 9 July 2025 – Notification of EOI outcome
• 30 July 2025 – Deadline for full applications
• End of September 2025 – Final results released to faculties
• 30 June 2026 – Latest start date for the fellowships

Comparison with Similar Opportunities

Fellowship	Host	Duration	Research Allowance	Open to International Candidates
McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026	University of Melbourne	3 Years	AUD $25,000	Yes
Mary Lugton	University of Melbourne	2 Years	AUD $25,000	Yes
Puzey	University of Melbourne (Science Faculty)	3 Years	AUD $25,000	Yes
Marie Curie Fellowship	European Commission	2–3 Years	Varies	Yes
Humboldt Research Fellowship	Germany	Up to 2 Years	Differs	Yes

FAQs

Q1: Can I apply to more than one Melbourne Postdoctoral Fellowship?
Yes, you can indicate interest in one or more fellowships in your application, but only one application may be submitted in a given year.

Q2: Is this fellowship open to applicants from all countries?
Yes, international PhD holders from any country are encouraged to apply.

Q3: Do I need to secure an academic mentor before applying?
Yes, at the EOI stage, applicants must establish an academic contact at the University of Melbourne.

Q4: Are there any restrictions on previous Melbourne University Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Yes, applicants must not have previously held McKenzie, Puzey, Mary Lugton, or Melbourne Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Q5: Can I apply if I received my PhD before March 2022?
No, applicants must have completed their PhD on or after 17 March 2022. If your PhD was awarded earlier, you must complete the Eligibility Exemption Request (EER) section in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Q6: I haven’t officially received my PhD yet. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, you can apply if, by the Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline, you have completed all formal requirements to qualify for PhD graduation in any discipline from a recognized university—whether in Australia or internationally, including the University of Melbourne. You must also be able to provide supporting documentation. Please note that simply submitting your thesis for examination does not meet the eligibility criteria.

If you’ve recently completed your PhD and dream of pursuing world-class postdoctoral research at a top-ranked institution, . APPLY NOW. The Melbourne University Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are a perfect fit. With excellent funding, mentorship, and research opportunities, this is your chance to thrive in a globally competitive academic environment.

• For McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowships Scheme: Apply here
• For Mary Lugton Postdoctoral Fellowships: Apply here
• For Puzey Postdoctoral Fellowship: Apply here

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