A University of Otago researcher has been awarded a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship by the government.

Doctor Michael Knapp is one of ten fellowship recipients, announced today by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

The Otago researcher will receive up to $800,000 over the next five years.

That will cover salary and research costs in relation to his work on the evolution and conservation of native birds.

The fellowships are open to researchers who have completed a PHD between three and eight years ago.

The funding is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.