Your career doesn't stand still here. At the Baker Institute, we invest in the people behind the science — because we know that when our team thrives, so does our research. From mentoring and leadership development to seed funding and international conferences, we're committed to helping every member of our community grow, lead and leave their mark.
Growing together
We've built a culture where development isn't a checkbox — it's part of how we work. Whether you're a postgraduate student finding your feet or a senior researcher pushing the boundaries of what's possible, you'll find the support, resources and opportunities to take your career further.
Gender equity and diversity
We believe the best science comes from the most inclusive teams. Our Gender Equity and Diversity (GEDI) Committee has been driving meaningful change since 2014 — from addressing female under-representation at senior levels to championing a broader culture of inclusion across the Institute.
We're proud holders of the Bronze Athena SWAN Science in Australia Gender Equity Award, and our five-year Alice Baker and Eleanor Shaw Gender Equity Fellowship is one of the most distinguished programs of its kind. Learn more about our GEDI initiatives.
Mentoring
Our mentoring program connects students and research staff with experienced mentors from across the Institute — creating the kind of relationships that shape careers. The program is complemented by workshops and networking events that support both professional growth and personal development.
Leadership development
We grow leaders from within. The Baker Institute provides leadership sessions, coaching and resources for both research and professional support staff in management roles — equipping people to lead with confidence and purpose.
Professional development
Whether you're based in a laboratory or a support team, professional development is actively encouraged. We provide internal courses and seminars, and we support staff in pursuing opportunities within their own groups and beyond.
Institute seminars
Knowledge flows best when it's shared. Several times a week, the Baker hosts seminars with internal and external speakers — an Institute-wide opportunity to hear from leading researchers, clinicians and collaborators from across Australia and around the world.
We also run a fortnightly combined seminar with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and the Heart Research Institute, weekly IT seminars, and a monthly bioinformatics information group — keeping our community at the cutting edge of research methods and technologies.
Conferences and events
Throughout the year, we host and attend events that connect our work to the wider world. Our annual Health Symposium in Alice Springs, regular GP workshops, and partnership symposiums — including those with Cambridge University and the University of Melbourne — offer vital opportunities to share research, build relationships and advance our collective impact.
Staff and students are encouraged to attend and present at local and international conferences, with internal grants available to support attendance and travel.
Prizes and recognition
Great work deserves to be celebrated. The Baker Institute offers a range of awards to recognise the achievements of our staff and students:
- Our annual Institute Values Awards recognise team members who have brought our values to life — and nominations are open to all staff, students and volunteers.
- The Sir Laurence Muir Prize is awarded to a researcher who has shown outstanding achievement relative to career opportunity and demonstrated high leadership potential.
- The Paul Korner Medal recognises excellence in student scholarship.
- Our Best of Baker Awards celebrate outstanding research achievement based on scientific publications, highlighting discoveries likely to have significant real-world impact.
- The Bright Sparks Program supports our highest-calibre postgraduate students with financial awards and recognition.
Seed funding
Ideas need room to grow. Our researchers have access to several internal grant opportunities for project seed funding — including through our partnerships with leading universities — to help turn promising early-stage research into something bigger.
Research Training and Education Committee (RTEC)
Our Research Training and Education Committee oversees postgraduate study and supports early career scientists (ECS) across the Institute. RTEC provides guidance to encourage research excellence, facilitate timely completion of studies, and coordinate applications for PhD top-ups, travel grants, ECS internal grants and awards.
Find out more about student research opportunities.
Baker Emerging Scientist Training (BEST) Program
Your potential shouldn't be limited by what you already know. The Baker Emerging Scientist Training (BEST) Program is designed to take you from promising investigator to independent research leader — with the skills, confidence and competitive edge to match.
The BEST Program brings together the Baker Institute's internal expertise with leading external training providers to offer a structured development pathway for undergraduates, PhD candidates and early-career researchers. Through hands-on training and meaningful mentorship, you'll build the capabilities needed to lead your own research, compete for major funding and make your mark in the field.
What you'll gain:
- strengthened research competitiveness
- critical leadership capabilities
- accelerated career progression
- the confidence and credentials to secure independent funding.
Whether you're just starting out or moving into the next stage of your career, the BEST Program gives you the foundations to go further — and the support to get there.
Early-career scientists
Our Early Career Scientists (ECS) group was built by and for post-doctoral researchers with fewer than ten years of experience. Bimonthly social events bring ECS members together — to share experiences, spark collaborations and support one another through the early stages of a research career.
