Australian Science Policy Fellowship

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol48 Issue16 24–28 April 2023

The program seeks to strengthen the science-policy interface by bringing science and technology expertise into public policy processes and bringing experience of government processes and policymaking into academia.

Up to 20 Fellowships may be offered each year based on a competitive selection process.

Previous Fellows have worked in diverse policy fields, such as the Critical Technologies Hub in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Medical Devices and Product Quality in the Department of Health and Ageing; Research Programs and Policy in the Department of Education; and Plant Systems & Strategies in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The Program Offers a Range Of Benefits To Participants

Fellows receive on-the-job training in, and exposure to, a range of policy development and delivery activities in the APS.
Fellows have access to professional development and mentoring provided by their host department and are supported by the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Fellows will become part of an alumni network at the end of the program
Fellows are employed as APS 6 policy officers by participating Australian Government host departments for up to 12 months. Conditions of employment and remuneration will be in accordance with the relevant host department’s enterprise agreement.
There may be opportunities to be based in locations across Australia. As part of your application, you will have the opportunity to nominate whether or not you would be willing to relocate to Canberra for your placement.
As a pathway program into the APS, participation in the program means each Fellow will become equipped to seek permanent employment in the APS. If that is their goal, Fellows are encouraged to pursue these opportunities over the course of the program.
A merit list at the APS 6 level will be established through the initial selection process and can be used by host departments to permanently appoint the Fellow, subject to certain conditions.

We Are Looking For People Who
Our ideal candidate will have significant scientific expertise and an interest in gaining policy development and delivery experience.

are adaptable
are able to generate ideas
can solve problems
have strong conceptual, analytical and research skills
have clear oral and written communication skills
have strong team work skills
have the ability to achieve results in a demanding environment.

What You Will Do
Over the course of the program, Fellows will be embedded within a department and given exposure to policymaking and policy delivery processes. Roles vary depending on the placements available within host departments. Some Fellows may complete two 6-month rotations during their Fellowship year.

Fellows are not selected for their subject-matter expertise, but rather for their transferrable skills that can be applied to policy development and delivery. Fellows may be placed in areas relevant to their expertise where available; however, others will work in areas unrelated to their academic background.

Host departments are expected to support Fellows in their professional development, including through formal training opportunities and mentoring.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the Science Policy Fellowship Program you must:

be an Australian citizen aged 18 years or over at the time of application,
hold a PhD in one of the following science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines:
agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
biological sciences
biomedical and clinical sciences
chemical sciences
earth sciences
engineering
environmental sciences
health sciences
information and computing sciences
mathematical sciences
psychology
physical sciences
be no more than 15 years post PhD completion (adjusted for career interruptions, e.g. due to family responsibilities as a primary care giver), and
Degrees from overseas universities must be recognised by an Overseas Qualification Unit. More information on overseas qualifications recognition is available at https://internationaleducation.gov.au/services-and-resources/pages/qualifications-recognition.aspx

Security Clearance
Fellowship positions require a minimum baseline security clearance. Some positions will require higher clearance levels. The successful applicants will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at the required level. This is not necessary at time of application.

How To Apply
To apply you must:

complete the online application form,
address all eligibility and merit criteria, and
submit your application by the advertised closing date.
Below is an outline of the sections candidates will be asked to complete in their online application.
Standard candidate data, including personal details, education, current employment and diversity information.
Curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum).
Details of two referees and two letters of recommendation.
Short biography (300 word limit): tell us about yourself, including areas of policy interest.
Candidate statement (500 word limit): Why are you interested in a career in policy and what makes you a good fit for the role?
Areas of interest: Outline the policy areas or issues that you are particularly interested in addressing during the Fellowship.
Role as a policy officer: Describe how you imagine you might apply your skill set and expertise to policy development and delivery.
Career goals: State your goals following the Fellowship and into the future, and how you envision the Fellowship will help you achieve those goals.

Application Timeline
The application process will run over a number of months. It can take three to four months from the time applications open to successful candidates being notified.

Candidates that are successful in first‑round interviews will be invited to attend a second interview with their potential host department manager and a representative of the selection panel.

Contact information
For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact ocs-projects@chiefscientist.gov.au.