Walter and Eliza Institute of Medical Research gets $10m childcare centre to aid workforce

FEMALE researchers working on cures and better medical treatments have received a boost to help them stay in the workforce after giving birth.

A NEW $9.9 million childcare centre will help female researchers, working on cracking cures and developing better medical treatments, stay in the workforce after giving birth.

The Walter and Eliza Institute of Medical Research now owns the first on-site childcare centre at an Australian medical research institute, aiming to overcome barriers facing ­female scientists who juggle motherhood with a career.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos will launch the Parkville early learning centre today.

FAMILIES COULD MISS OUT ON CHILDCARE SUBSIDY

FUNDING FOR HUMAN CELL MAPPING

WEHI staff will have enrolment priority when the five-storey early learning centre opens next month, offering spaces for 100 children from three months to six years for day care and kindergarten.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos will launch the centre.

WEHI director Professor Doug Hilton said ­the Australian-first project would allow both parents to “flourish personally and professionally”, leading to more discoveries.

Senior postdoctoral research fellows Dr Ueli Nachbur and Dr Gabriela Brumatti, who both work in WEHI’s Cell Signalling and Cell Death division, have enrolled their youngest daughter, Julia, at the centre.

When their eldest daughter Isabella was born seven years ago and they could not secure her a full-time day care place, Dr Brumatti’s mother came from Brazil for six weeks and Dr Nachbur’s mother next came from Switzerland so she could return to work three months after the birth.

Dr Ueli Nachbur and Dr Gabriela Brumatti with daughter Julia. Picture: Alex Coppel

The couple said that having Julia, 3, at the centre would make their working day more productive and let fathers take on more active carer roles.

“It will make our day more convenient, but for new parents this will be amazing,” Dr Nachbur said.

“The child bearing years are usually the most productive for a woman’s career, and without secure childcare it can delay women returning to the workforce.”

WEHI director Professor Doug Hilton said ­the Australian-first project would allow both parents to “flourish personally and professionally”.

“The centre will help us to foster a healthy, productive and creative workplace, and ultimately lead to more discoveries that improve health outcomes in Australia and globally,” he said.