<p>Female researchers play an increasingly paramount role in advancing scientific development. However, the “leaky pipeline” among female researchers in the academic growth still is prevalent, hindering the full utilization of the distinctive wisdom and talent of female in the field of scientific research. Therefore, it is paramount to investigate the gender gap in academic growth as well as the influence mechanism. This study employs the data of 1,598 Excellent Young Scientists that are sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China to unveil whether there is significant difference in growth chances and time to growth to Distinguished Young Scholars between male and female researchers. The results indicate that there is a significant difference in growth chances and time to growth between male and female researchers. In addition, the spatial distribution indicates that the gender gap in academic growth worsens from east to middle to west China, and the gap is especially large in the areas with small number of universities. Finally, the publication quantity plays a significantly positive mediating role in the nexus, while there is insignificant difference in publication citation impact between male and female researchers. The results indicate that the underlying reason that can account for the “leaky pipeline” is mainly attributed to the disparity in publication quantity. This study can shed some light on and fully unleashing the potential of female researchers, thereby contributing indispensable strength of female researchers to the advancement of science and technology and the progress of society.</p>