Clinician-Scientist Fellowship

Date: 13 May 2025

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: Dawson M

Division: Cancer Research

Department: Laboratory Research

Enterprise Agreement: Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect

Dawson M

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

Australia’s First Clinician-Scientist Fellowship

As Australia’s pre-eminent comprehensive cancer centre, named the country’s leading cancer research institute in The Australian’s Research 2025 Magazine, and ranked 16th globally by Newsweek in the delivery of specialised cancer care (the only Australian hospital to make the top 100), Peter Mac is ideally positioned to inaugurate the country’s first dedicated clinician-scientist training pathway.

This global recognition reflects our mission to lead the way in the fight against cancer, working in partnership with other leading centres worldwide on breakthrough research that has the potential to change the future of oncology. Through constant innovation, we deliver evidence-based, person-centred care that maximises quality of life and improves patient outcomes across the cancer continuum. This position is responsible for:

Understanding Clinical Trial Protocols, including entering and managing patients.
Completing all patient-related documentation and attend queries from the Clinical Trial team.
Developing a cutting-edge laboratory research program under the mentorship of the laboratory group leader.
Formulating the research question, performing the laboratory research, analysing the data, preparing and submitting research manuscripts.

Investing in a clinician-scientist fellowship at Peter Mac is an important strategic move that will:

Attract and retain Australia’s top talent: With the right training and support, Peter Mac can recruit and retain the brightest minds in cancer research, keeping Australian talent in Australia.
Empower the next generation: The fellowship will equip emerging clinician-scientists with the skills to drive both clinical and scientific advancements.
Foster translational research: Research-driven treatments and treatment-informed research are key to advancing cancer care.
Transform patient care: Clinician-scientists bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic, accelerating the translation of research into life-changing treatments for cancer.
Boost Australia’s global impact: The program strengthens Peter Mac’s world-leading reputation, and ensures Australia remains at the forefront of the fight against cancer.

Fellowship Outcomes

By the end of their training, the candidate will have developed into an independent clinician-scientist. Prior to completing the four-year fellowship, the expectation is that they will mentored to apply and be appointed as a group leader in their own laboratory at a world leading research centre.

The position will be funded for 4 years, with an initial fixed term of 12 months and extension of 3 years provided the candidate meets the probation requirements assessed at 12 months. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and is aimed at a total salary of starting at $251,500.

This position is:

Fixed-Term, Full-Time
Onsite presence essential at 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Advertising from 13 May 2025 to 10 June 2025

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

Hiring Manager: Prof. Mark Dawson
Email: mark.dawson@petermac.org

Applications Close: 10 June 2025
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Position Summary

Australia’s First Clinician-Scientist Fellowship

As Australia’s pre-eminent comprehensive cancer centre, named the country’s leading cancer research institute in The Australian’s Research 2025 Magazine, and ranked 16th globally by Newsweek in the delivery of specialised cancer care (the only Australian hospital to make the top 100), Peter Mac is ideally positioned to inaugurate the country’s first dedicated clinician-scientist training pathway.

This global recognition reflects our mission to lead the way in the fight against cancer, working in partnership with other leading centres worldwide on breakthrough research that has the potential to change the future of oncology. Through constant innovation, we deliver evidence-based, person-centred care that maximises quality of life and improves patient outcomes across the cancer continuum.

Investing in a clinician-scientist fellowship at Peter Mac is an important strategic move that will:

Attract and retain Australia’s top talent: With the right training and support, Peter Mac can recruit and retain the brightest minds in cancer research, keeping Australian talent in Australia.
Empower the next generation: The fellowship will equip emerging clinician-scientists with the skills to drive both clinical and scientific advancements.
Foster translational research: Research-driven treatments and treatment-informed research are key to advancing cancer care.
Transform patient care: Clinician-scientists bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic, accelerating the translation of research into life-changing treatments for cancer.
Boost Australia’s global impact: The program strengthens Peter Mac’s world-leading reputation, and ensures Australia remains at the forefront of the fight against cancer.

Fellowship Outcomes
By the end of their training, the candidate will have developed into an independent clinician-scientist. Prior to completing the four-year fellowship, the expectation is that they will mentored to apply and be appointed as a group leader in their own laboratory at a world leading research centre.

At Peter Mac, every group leader appointment is highly competitive and only the best and most successful are selected. The training provided will equip the candidate with the skills and experience needed to lead their own laboratory at any top cancer research institute in the world.

Fellowship Outcomes
By the end of their training, the candidate will have developed into an independent clinician-scientist. Prior to completing the four-year fellowship, the expectation is that they will mentored to apply and be appointed as a group leader in their own laboratory at a world leading research centre.

At Peter Mac, every group leader appointment is highly competitive and only the best and most successful are selected. The training provided will equip the candidate with the skills and experience needed to lead their own laboratory at any top cancer research institute in the world.

The position will be for a fixed term of 4 years, with an initial fixed term of 12 months and extension of 3 years provided the candidate meets the probation requirements assessed at 12 months. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and is aimed at a total salary of starting at $251,500.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals 2021-2026

Classification or Salary Range

1RA6-1RA10

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Catergory A

Key Relationships

Internal	Group Leader Core Research facilities staff Other research staff and students Other Peter Mac staff and students
External	External research collaborators Industry partners Staff from other research institutions

Education

Skills

Essential Requirements

Be a junior specialist consultant or specialist trainee who has completed their PhD in laboratory-based discovery science within the last 12 months.
Be registered and accredited to work as a clinician in Australia.
Be employed full-time at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. They will hold a 80% postdoctoral appointment in a laboratory at Peter Mac and a 20% clinical appointment within one of Peter Mac’s medical departments e.g., Medical Oncology, Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Haematology, etc.).
The hosting laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre will secure matched funding of $120K per year to support the candidate for salary. They will additionally provide funding for research-related consumables.
Be selected through an interview process, with a panel including members of the Research Executive and Heads of the relevant clinical departments.
Be an Australian citizen and/or permanent resident who aspires to forge an enduring career as a clinician-scientist in Australia.
Prepare a detailed research proposal outlining key milestones to be achieved throughout the four-year training program.
Procide an annual progress report to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

1. Clinical training and development	Will have a 0.2 FTE clinical appointment of their choice in their clinical speciality that best integrates with their scientific research. This will be a maximum of two outpatient clinics per week or 4 weeks ward service per annum plus 1 outpatient clinic per week. Full understanding of Clinical Trial Protocols, including entering and managing patients Complete all patient-related documentation and attend queries from the Clinical Trial team. Liaise and communicate with the multidisciplinary treating team Contribute to team meetings and educational activities Participate in departmental research activities Follow hospital policies and procedures
2. Translational research development	Develop a cutting-edge laboratory research program under the mentorship of the laboratory group leader with a view to transitioning to independent clinician-scientist position at a world leading research institution at the conclusion of this fellowship. Formulate the research question, perform the laboratory research, analyse the data, prepare and submit research manuscripts. The candidate will be afforded the opportunity to co-supervise junior research staff. The candidate will be expected to present their research at national and international conferences in their field The candidate will be provided with guidance to assist them in applying for national and international grants to further enhance and support their research program. Integrate and contribute to the laboratory research ecosystem within Peter Mac including participation on a PhD student advisory committee.
3. Foster of good working relationships	Development of a good working relationship with others in the laboratory and Research Division Ability to work in a team Willingness to help others in the laboratory as required

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

4. Generation of high quality, reproducible data through conduction of valid and ethical research	Designs experiments that fulfil the aims of the projects Careful and precise experimental technique Accurate analysis and interpretation of analysis results Willingness to learn Comprehensive knowledge of literature related to research area Ability to work independently and utilise time effectively High level of integrity and ethics Completes tasks in a timely and efficient manner Excellent record-keeping skills
5. Communication of Research Outcomes	Regular attendance at group and program meetings Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory, Peter Mac Research and University of Melbourne Prepares manuscript, grant, fellowship and ethics submissions Contributes to discussions, lab, cluster and program meetings Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Human Resource Management	Takes all reasonable steps to prevent bullying, discriminations and harassment in the workplace Participates in and/or conducts annual performance development and review on 100% of staff Complies with peter Mac policies to maintain a safe work place Follows established procedures and guidelines

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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.