Are you an early-to-mid career scientist who is wondering what it is like to work in the Australian Public Service?

The Australian Science Policy Fellowship will support you in this transition by giving you the opportunity to work in an Australian Government Department for one year.

The Australian Science Policy Fellowship Program is an initiative of the Office of the Chief Scientist, which aims to grow the diversity of expertise in the Australian Public Service workforce. It provides a pathway for early-to-mid career scientists to become skilled policy practitioners, so they can be conduits for bringing science and technology expertise into various government functions.

Successful candidates are those who are adaptable, able to generate new ideas, and solve problems; have strong conceptual, analytical and research skills, clear oral and written communication skills, and strong team work skills.

The 2021-22 cohort was the first cohort of the permanent program, following a successful three‑year pilot. Launched in July 2018, the program has placed 46 Science Policy Fellows across 12 Australian Government departments.

“I’m inspired by the talent and passion of our Fellows and excited to see how their contributions embrace and elevate the role of science in policy,” says Dr Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist.

Fellows are embedded in teams where they work on developing or implementing various government initiatives. The Fellows help shape policy decisions by applying their analytical skills and good judgement to addressing complex issues, interpreting data, and providing an informative scientific perspective.

In the current cohort, Fellows are working across a range of different host departments, including the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, the Department of Health, the Department of Finance, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and Services Australia.

“Bridging research and evidence-based policy development is very important. Through policy development, I can be involved in creating a positive impact for people in ways not possible from the laboratory. Policy workers need to have a wide range of skills and it is exciting to combine my experiences from working in community pharmacy to the laboratory,” says current Fellow Dr Heidi Walkden.

Applications for the 2022-23 cohort of the Australian Science Policy Fellowship program closed on 21 March, 2022.