Professor Chris Semsarian has been stood down from his role at the Centenary Institute in Sydney following allegations of sexual harassment by a young female employee. 

Jennifer de Jongh, 28, has accused the prominent cardiologist of sexually harassing her through thousands of texts, uninvited visits and unwanted touching.

In a claim for damages for PTSD, lost income and emotional distress lodged with the Federal Court of Australia, she alleges the unwanted advances began soon after she started work at the medical research organisation which is supported by the University of Sydney.

At the time she was employed as the genetic heart disease clinic co-ordinator, with Professor Semsarian, a deputy director of the institute, her direct supervisor.