AWARDS AND PRIZES

EMCR Lectureship

The ASB Early–Mid Career Lectureship is a new initiative designed to support emerging independent biophysics researchers while strengthening collaboration and the national profile of the Australian Society for Biophysics. Commencing as a four-year pilot in 2027, the lectureship provides up to $2,500 to support a program of research seminars delivered across multiple Australian institutions.

The lectureship is open to ASB members who are 3–15 years post-PhD and are establishing or have recently established research independence. Recipients will undertake a lecture tour visiting institutions across at least three Australian states, sharing their research, fostering new collaborations, and helping to grow and connect the Australian biophysics community.

As a new initiative, the lectureship is being developed in consultation with our members. We are intentionally starting with a simple, transparent framework that we expect will evolve over the pilot period as we learn what works best. Selection criteria, expectations, and processes will be reviewed regularly, and feedback from applicants, hosts, and the broader community will play an important role in shaping the future of the program.

If you’re interested in applying — or in hosting a lectureship visit — we encourage you to get involved. Every successful long-term program has to start somewhere, and we’re excited to build this one together with the Australian biophysics community.

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Application Procedure

Applicants for the ASB Early–Mid Career Lectureship must:

Be a current member of the Australian Society for Biophysics and have held ASB membership for at least two years at the time of application.
Be 3–15 years post-PhD (relative to the application closing date). Career interruptions will be considered in determining eligibility.
Submit the following application materials to the ASB Secretary by the advertised closing date:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the assessment criteria.
- A current curriculum vitae.
- A proposed lecture program and travel plan, including the institutions to be visited and the anticipated outcomes of the tour.
- A statement (<1 page) describing how the proposed lectureship will foster collaboration, mentorship, community engagement, and the profile of the Australian Society for Biophysics.
Be willing to undertake a lecture program that, where practical, includes visits to at least four institutions across three Australian states, recognising that flexibility will be applied for caring responsibilities, accessibility requirements, geographic constraints, and alternative delivery formats.

The lectureship provides reimbursement of up to $2,500 to support travel and related expenses associated with the lecture tour.

The Society reserves the right not to make an award in any year if no application is judged to be of sufficient merit.

As the ASB Early–Mid Career Lectureship is being introduced as a four-year pilot commencing in 2026, the application and assessment process may be refined over time. Any changes will be communicated transparently to members before future application rounds.

Assessment criteria

Applications for the ASB Early–Mid Career Lectureship will be assessed by the ASB Awards Committee against the following criteria:

Research Excellence

Demonstrated excellence and originality in biophysics research.
Evidence of an emerging independent research program and future leadership potential.
Research outputs and achievements relative to opportunity.

Collaboration and Impact

Potential for the proposed lecture program to foster new scientific collaborations within the Australian biophysics community.
Likely impact of the lectureship on advancing biophysics research, knowledge exchange, and national connectivity.
Opportunities to engage with researchers across different institutions and career stages.

Community Engagement and Leadership

Evidence of mentorship, service, outreach, or other contributions to the Australian biophysics community.
Alignment with the values and objectives of the Australian Society for Biophysics.
Potential to act as an ambassador for the Society during the lectureship.

Proposed Lecture Program

Quality, feasibility, and geographic breadth of the proposed lecture itinerary.
Clear objectives for the visits and evidence that the proposed hosts and activities will maximise scientific engagement.
Consideration of practical factors, including accessibility, caring responsibilities, and alternative delivery formats where appropriate.

Applications will be assessed holistically. The Awards Committee will consider achievement relative to opportunity, including career interruptions and other circumstances that may have influenced the applicant’s career trajectory.