University advertises 3 jobs in math and stats... but only for women

The number of women working in advanced mathematics is notoriously woeful, and now a university in Australia is taking an unusual step to help fix the problem.

The University of Melbourne is currently advertising three full-time jobs in the School of Mathematics and Statistics -- but only women need apply.

The positions, in applied mathematics, pure mathematics and statistics, are available only to females as part of a university plan to increase the number of women in its workforce.

It's definitely a strategy worth trying: Only around 22.1 percent of full-time Australian academics in mathematics are female, according to Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE). The University of Melbourne is part of the SAGE pilot, which aims to overhaul gender equity practices in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In a video statement, Aleks Owczarek, head of the school, said they were looking for three outstanding female academics to build the department's expertise.

"The school and university are committed to increasing diversity in our workforce. This is a strategic priority," he said.

Before you make accusations of "reverse sexism," Owczarek told ABC News the ban on men was legal thanks to a section of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act that allows for certain tactics in pursuit of greater equality overall.

According to the law, special measures may be taken for the purpose of "promoting or realising substantive equality." 

"The use of this kind of special measure that we're using has been used with regards to Indigenous employment," he told the publication. "For this kind of positions, permanent continuing academic positions, I believe it might be the first time it's been used."

All you math whizzes, get to applying.

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