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HDR/ECR Mentoring Program

Learn more about our mentoring program for higher degree research students and early career researchers.

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Our HDR/ECR Mentoring Program is a six month structured mentoring initiative designed to support Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates toÌýnavigate post-PhD pathways, academic careers, and difficult situations.

The program also gives Early Career Researchers (ECRs) the chance to develop mentoring capabilities, leadership skills and cross faculty networks.

What's involved

Our HDR/ECR Mentoring Program is a six month structured mentoring initiative which gives Higher Degree Research Candidates the opportunity to be mentored by an Early Career Researcher from a different faculty or discipline for six months. The program is designed to assist them to navigate post PhD pathways, academic careers, expectations, and difficult situations.

In turn, the program gives Early Career Researchers the chance to develop mentoring and leadership capabilities, strengthen cross disciplinary connections, reflect on their own career trajectory and professional identity and contribute to Higher Degree Research candidate development.

The inaugural round of the program will run from June to November 2026.

Eligibility

HDRÌýmentee eligibility:

  • Must be a PhD student enrolled at the University of Sydney
  • Must have completed a minimum of seven Research Periods (RP) of a PhD program completed
  • Part-time candidature accepted (Full-Time Equivalent RP)
  • Must have a planned thesis submission date that is no sooner than November 2026

ECR mentor eligibility:

  • Must be employed by the University of Sydney
  • Must be a level A or Level B academic
  • Must be less than five years post-PhD at 1 June 2026 (accounting for career disruption)
  • Must hold a fixed-term or continuing contract for the duration of the program

Program structure

  • Six months (June–November)

Kick-off Session (June)

A facilitated session covering:

  • Program expectations
  • Mentoring roles and boundaries
  • Goal-setting frameworkÌý ÌýÌý

Mentoring Meetings

  • A minimum of five meetings
  • Participants may meet moreÌýfrequently
  • Suggested cadence:Ìýapproximately monthly
  • Meetings may be in person or online
  • ParticipantsÌýare responsible forÌýscheduling meetings

Mid-Point Check-In (August)

Separate group sessions for:

  • HDR mentees
  • ECR mentors

Purpose

  • To reflect on progress
  • To share experiences
  • To address challenges
  • To revisit goals if needed

Program Close (November)

  • Reflection survey
  • Optional closing session
  • Opportunity to provide feedback and testimonials

All participantsÌý

Both mentors and mentees will be expected toÌýparticipateÌýin the followingÌýstructured activities:ÌýÌý

  • Kick-off session/mentorship trainingÌýworkshop: 2 hoursÌý
  • FiveÌý1:1Ìýmentoring meetings (approx. 1 hour each, monthly): 5 hoursÌý
  • Mid-point check-inÌýworkshop: 1 hourÌý
  • FeedbackÌýsurvey: 10 minutesÌý

Total estimatedÌýstructuredÌýtime over six months: ~8 hours.Ìý

MenteeÌýadditionalÌýtime commitmentÌý

In between mentoring meetings, mentees are expected to reflectÌýon their sessions,Ìýrefine goals for the program,Ìýimplement learnings, and prepare ahead for the next session with their mentor.ÌýÌý

Mentees should spend at leastÌýtwo hours in between sessions on these activities.Ìý

Selection

Up to 20 mentor/mentee pairs will be accepted into this first pilot round of the program.ÌýÌý

Participants will be selected by a panelÌýcomprisedÌýof members of the Graduate Research School and the Researcher Development UnitÌýin the Research Portfolio.

HDR mentee selection

When selecting mentees, the panel will consider:

  • The benefit of the program for the student's career development
  • The leadership potential of the mentee
  • The compatibility of available mentors (see 'matching principles') and overall diverse representation within the cohort (faculty, disciplinary, etc)

ECR mentor selection

When selecting mentors, the panel will consider:

  • The motivations of the prospective mentor
  • Their experience and potential strengths as a mentor
  • Their compatibility with available mentees and overall diverse representation within the cohort (faculty, disciplinary etc)

Matching principles

Mentors and menteesÌýwill be matched based on:Ìý

  • Their compatibility with menteeÌýgoals/needs/career aspirations,Ìýand mentor experienceÌý

  • Their Faculty/School/MDIÌýaffiliation.ÌýÌý

Where possible, matches will be madeÌýoutsideÌýthe same School,ÌýFaculty, or MDIÌýto ensure independence and broaden networks.Ìý

Core commitments and responsibilities

  • To provide guidance, perspective, and professional insight
  • To share experiences honestly and constructively
  • To maintain confidentiality
  • To encourage independent decision-making
  • To model professional behaviourÌý ÌýÌý

Mentors areÌýnotÌýexpected to:

  • Provide psychological counselling
  • Act as a supervisor or examiner
  • Secure employment or funding opportunities
  • Intervene in academic disputes

  • To take ownership of the mentoring relationshipÌý(i.e. schedule meetings)
  • To prepare for meetings
  • To be open to feedback
  • To respect mentor’s time and boundaries

Key dates

  • Expressions of interest open: WednesdayÌý1 AprilÌý2026
  • Expressions of interest close: WednesdayÌý6 ²Ñ²¹²âÌý2026, 11.59pm
  • Applicants notified of outcomes: ²Ñ²¹²âÌý2026
  • Program kick-off event - week beginningÌý8 June 2026 (TBC)
  • Mid-point check-in event:ÌýAugustÌý2026 (TBC)
  • Program concludes:Ìý±·´Ç±¹±ð³¾²ú±ð°ùÌý2026

How to apply

  • Review the eligibility criteria
  • Consider the time commitmentÌý
  • Applications for 2026 are closed. Successful applicants will be notified shortly.

Ìý

Contact us

For queries about the program or eligibility, please contact: