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UNSW Australia has launched a global drive to recruit 600 of the best researchers and PhD scholars over the next four years.

The international campaign, the largest undertaken at UNSW and one of the most significant of any university in Australia, will see UNSW recruit up to 130 world-leading researchers and rising stars as well as 500 new PhD candidates through fully funded scholarships.

“This global recruitment drive will secure the research leaders of today and tomorrow and marks the first exciting step in the implementation of our 2025 strategy to position UNSW as Australia’s global university, ranked in the world’s top 50,” said UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs.

“People are central to achieving our vision and the recruitment of world-class staff across all faculties and levels will drive the transformational change needed to take UNSW, already a great university, to the next level.”

UNSW Chancellor Mr David Gonski said the 2025 Strategy had his strong endorsement.

“It is clearly the next step for a University that has achieved so much in its comparatively young 67 years.

“The University Council and I are totally committed to supporting the strategy and seeing its vision come to fruition,” Mr Gonski said.

The 10-year strategy was launched in October 2015 with overwhelming endorsement from staff and the University community. It has three key priorities: academic excellence, social engagement and global impact.

“We are investing an additional $90 million in 2016 and plan to invest $3 billion over the next decade on our strategic plans and up to 60% of this will be in people. This is an unprecedented investment for an Australian university,” Professor Jacobs said.

Total staff numbers will increase between now and 2025 by an estimated 8%.

“This is a significant growth agenda that will result in more staff, a more diverse staff profile, globally minded students and first-class physical and digital infrastructure.”

As well as recruiting internationally, UNSW will identify and nurture outstanding staff from within the University.

“I am pleased to announce the UNSW Scientia Fellowship Scheme, a new flagship talent program that will provide long-term and flexible career pathways. The first group of Scientia Fellows will be selected from our existing world-class researchers, who will set the benchmark for future global recruitment,” said Professor Jacobs.

The signature UNSW program will allow research staff to work outside the University in industry or the public sector with a guaranteed return to UNSW. Professional staff will also benefit from new career opportunities and pathways, with more initiatives to be announced.

Underlining all of UNSW’s recruitment activities is a commitment to gender, equity and diversity.

“Our new strategic recruitment and career initiatives will be integral to achieving a much better gender balance and diversity of experience and background in our academic and professional staff at all levels,” Professor Jacobs said.

“Our ambitious and altruistic 10-year strategy was never intended to sit on a shelf. These are exciting times as we begin to implement our plans, invest in people and build on our strong track record in teaching and research that has impact around the world,” Professor Jacobs said.

Find out more at the 'World Changers Wanted' website.