Professor William Burnett Research Fellowship

About this scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2020 in memory of Professor Philip Walker to support research in areas related to surgical disease. You are eligible if you are applying to undertake a Higher Degree by Research and are a medical student or medical graduate and have a research focus on areas related to surgical diseases and where at least one member of your advisory team is a member of the Mayne Academy of Surgery within The University of Queensland Medical School. Your application will be ranked on the basis of: academic achievement and potential for scholastic success; the potential for the proposed use of the scholarship and if applicable development grant, to advance research in the field of surgery; and any other matters the selection committee sees fit. The successful applicant must present an update of their research at the annual Phil Walker Memorial Ethics Lecture. The fellowship is in honour and acknowledgement of Professor William Burnett’s contribution to Surgery, as the former Head of Surgery at The University of Queensland’s School of Medicine. It was established in 2004 and is maintained by the income of a bequest from Professor Burnett’s sister, Mrs Helen Ann Gordon Rimmer. The purpose of the scholarship is to support a PhD student in the discipline of surgery. You are eligible if you are applying to undertake a PhD with a research focus on areas related to surgical diseases and where at least one member of your advisory team is a member of the Mayne Academy of Surgery within The University of Queensland Medical School. Your application will be ranked on the basis of: academic achievement and potential for scholastic success; the potential for the proposed use of the scholarship and if applicable development grant, to advance research in the field of surgery; and any other matters the selection committee sees fit. The successful applicant must present an update of their research at the annual Academy of Surgery meeting. This scholarship was established in 2025 and is supported from funds held on trust by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (Perpetual), from the Will of the late Charles Mitford Lilley, who was a medical practitioner based in Brisbane from 1917 to 1955.  Charles Mitford Lilley began his career working as a general practitioner, before specialising in surgery where he became a leading figure in Australia, particularly in the area of head and neck surgery.  Charles Mitford left a gift in his will in 1955 to establish an endowment fund for post graduate study in the field of Surgery at UQ.  This Scholarship is for HDR students undertaking research in the field of surgery. This scholarship may provide an additional $35,000 per annum award (for up to 3 years) to an outstanding applicant who has been successful in receiving the Professor Philip Walker Surgery Research Scholarship or Professor William Burnett Research Fellowships. You must be a graduate of a Doctor of Medicine Program from a University in the state of Queensland and have completed at least 2 years’ practice after graduation to be eligible for this award. Your application will be ranked on the basis of: Academic achievement and the potential of scholastic success; and Any other matters the Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences considers to be relevant to your future research development. Each subsequent year of the Scholarship (up to a total of 3 years full-time) is conditional upon the recipient demonstrating satisfactory progress.

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