VU begins search for researchers ready to change the west and the world

Victoria University (VU) has today launched the second round of the Vice-Chancellor's Research and Impact Fellowships.  

While the work undertaken by researchers at VU ranges across diverse fields and disciplines, what they have in common is an unwavering commitment to turning evidence into action. 

In 2025, VU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Shoemaker, established the Vice-Chancellor's Research and Impact Fellowships, with the support of Professor Andy Hill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Impact.  

After a competitive interview process, the following outstanding candidates were appointed: 

• Dr Asif Mahmood, leading researcher in the field of energy storage and materials science. 
• Dr James Broatch, a VU researcher who investigates exercise's role in brain health and ageing. 
• Associate Professor Lesley Cheng, a cell and molecular biologist investigating neurodegenerative diseases. 
• Associate Professor Lia Kent, whose work is focused on interdisciplinary peace and conflict studies creating frameworks for cultural experiences of violence.   
• Dr Kyle Turner, whose work centres on why minority groups are often the last to benefit from advances in technology, education and medicine.  

The internal and external call-out encouraged passionate, dedicated researchers to join VU’s highly experienced team to innovate, collaborate, and transform existing knowledge into action. 

Key focus areas for the 2026 Vice-Chancellor's Research and Impact Fellowships include: 

• Innovating education and future-proofing Australia’s workforce  
• Sport that inspires elite performance, community participation and healthy living  
• Health and wellbeing solutions  
• Transforming communities through policy, practice and governance  
• Smart, sustainable and liveable cities  
• ‘By community, for community’ First Nations Knowledge 

Building on the success of the first round, Professor Hill is excited to invite researchers to apply for the second round of Fellowships, open to both internal and external candidates until 30 April 2026: 

Once again, we hope to attract another group of high-performing researchers whose work aligns with VU’s vision to create world-changing research connected to the well-being of our people, place, and planet.

“We have so much to offer from our new Victorian University Research Building located on site at the new Footscray Hospital, our leading education think tank, the Mitchell Institute, and being ranked 6th in the world for Sport Science. We look forward to receiving applications from a diverse range of high-performing researchers, from early, mid-career and senior levels who are interested in using their research to radically improve living in Melbourne’s west and beyond.”