News Alerts

New research quality and evaluation system announced

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, has announced that a new research quality and evaluation system is to be developed, replacing the now defunct Research Quality Framework.

The system, to be known as the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative, will be developed by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in conjunction with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. It will be designed to assess research quality using a combination of metrics and expert review by committees comprising experienced, internationally-recognised experts.

"Australia is about to embark on a transparent, workable system to assess the quality of home-grown research. Australia is well known internationally for its research strengths. For the first time we will be able to measure our achievements against our peers around the world, and plan the future of research investment," Senator Carr said.

"ERA will use leading researchers to evaluate research activity progressively in each of the ARC discipline clusters and several clusters covering health and medical research that will be informed by experts from the National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC]. Each cluster report will detail by institution and by discipline those areas that are internationally competitive, together with emerging areas where there are opportunities for development and further investment.”

Senator Carr said that ERA would start with those disciplines where the metrics were most widely accepted, for example, in the physical and biological sciences.
“In parallel, we will continue consultation with other disciplines about metrics appropriate to their disciplines, noting that some measures will be appropriate to all disciplines and that for all disciplines expert review of the metrics is essential.”

The ERA will build on work done to date in defining areas of strength, and will aid the development of our ‘hubs and spokes’ model for research infrastructure that is based on all universities having centres of excellence in specified fields.  It will also assist with the Government’s plans to introduce funding compacts for universities.

Senator Carr said that until the ERA was fully developed, the current arrangements for the block grants funding will be maintained and would remain the responsibility of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR). Future arrangements will be determined in consultation with the sector.

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Call for submissions to Review of Innovation System

A call for submissions has been made by the chair of the review of the national innovation system, Dr Terry Cutler.

In his foreword to the issues paper, Dr Cutler outlined the scope of the review.

“[The terms of reference] recognise that innovation and creative problem solving involves looking at those drivers of productivity and competitiveness within firms and industries which underpin our national prosperity.

“They involve looking at better ways to deliver public and community services. We also need to look at mobilising innovative capabilities around major national challenges such as climate change, population health and future energy needs.

“We need to look at how we promote a culture supportive of fresh ideas and risk taking. We also need to look at how we better support the diffusion and take up of new technologies and innovative processes across industries and the community.

“Finally, as an advanced but relatively small economy we need to consider our national innovation priorities within the global context. How might we best focus our efforts for good outcomes for Australia over the decades ahead?"

The call for submissions poses seven questions:

• Can we imagine a better world? Are we asking the right questions?
• How do we solve the big challenges we face as a country, an industry or as a community?
• Could we do everyday things better?
• How do we get more firms and organisations to use the best available tools and techniques, from anywhere around the world, in what they do?
• How do we make it easy for people to use tools or apply ideas in novel ways?
• How do we educate and equip our people to be creative and innovative, life-long?
• As a relative small country, how does Australia prioritise its innovation efforts to make the most of what it has or can do?

The call for submissions, further information on the review and details of the meetings are available at www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview.

Submissions are due by 30 April, and will be placed on the website.

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Survey shows strong interest in innovation policy

A recent survey on innovation attitudes in Australia has revealed that Australians believe the nation is in urgent need of a co-ordinated national policy on innovation.

The survey, conducted by the online collaborative policy development think-tank, Open Forum, and the Society for Knowledge Economics (SKE), has found 74% of the respondents also believe the Federal Government should establish an innovation portfolio to coordinate innovation activities across sectors and institutions.

The Chief Executive of Open Forum, Tamara Plakalo, said the survey had been prompted by the national inquiry into the national innovation system, and the “general urgency shown by the business community in asking the country’s leaders to show more commitment in dealing with innovation hurdles in a more systematic manner.“

Plakalo said the survey produced a surprisingly high-level of policy suggestions, which will be used by the Australian Society for Knowledge Economics to inform the SKE’s further input into the national policy debate.

The survey was one in the line of projects Open Forum has undertaken over the last 12 months in an attempt to open-up the process of policy development to the wider community using Web 2.0 as its key platform.

Open Forum is a non-partisan collaborative think-tank built around an interactive discussion website hosted and moderated by Global Access Partners (GAP). It provides a platform for focused dialogue on social, political, economic, ecological and cultural issues and challenges. It is sponsored by the NSW Department of Lands, Lenovo, Australian Business Foundation, BRW, DCITA and MBF, who form the Open Forum Advisory Board. Topics identified for discussion include Spatial Data, Innovation, Business Regulation and Productivity, Work/Life Balance and Health and Wellbeing.

The full results of the survey can be downloaded from the Open Forum web-site at
www.openforum.com.au.

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WA funding targets SKA success

The Western Australian Premier, Alan Carpenter, has announced funding of$20 million to establish an International Radio Astronomy Research Centre in Western Australia. Mr Carpenter said he expected the initiative to be a collaborative joint venture and leverage significant contributions from research organisations and industry.

The initiative is expected to to boost Australia’s chances of winning the world’s largest radio astronomy project - the $2billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA). A final decision on the location of the SKA is expected by 2012.

The funding will contribute towards:

• the employment of up to 100 scientists and technicians to undertake radio astronomy research and development;
• purchasing and developing new software and technologies;
• developing radio astronomy-related industry capability in WA through employing scientists and engineers to work with local industry to design, develop and manufacture engineering solutions for SKA;
• undertaking public outreach and education programs; and
• creating domestic and international linkages and partnerships on SKA.

 The Premier also announced almost $10 million for five new major research facilities including:

• Radio Astronomy and Engineering Centre of Excellence ($2.3million);
• WA Geothermal Centre of Excellence ($2.3million);
• Centre of Excellence for Climate Change and Woodland and Forest Health ($2.3million);
• Centre of Excellence in Ecohydrology ($1.5million); and
• Centre of Excellence for 3D Mineral Mapping ($1.5million).

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New water research centre for Adelaide

A new national water research centre, Water Quality Research Australia, is to be established at the headquarters of SA Water’s new headquarters in Victoria Square, Adelaide.

The centre will continue the work of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, based in Adelaide for the past 13 years. It brings together Australian water utilities, research members such as the Australian Water Quality Centre and universities around Australia, including the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.

Research areas will include:

• The health and acceptability aspects of drinking water.
• Management of toxic algal blooms.
• Improving drinking water treatment technologies.
• Water recycling.
• Wastewater treatment.
• Alternative water supplies.

The South Australian Government has committed funding of $350,000 a year towards the new centre.

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Victorian Nanotechnology Statement released

The Victorian government has released a new framework for the development of Victoria’s nanotechnology sector

At the opening of the 2008 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Melbourne, the Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings launched
The Victorian Nanotechnology Statement, which, he said, focuses on "industry development and investment attraction as key to securing the health, economic and environmental benefits that nanotechnology can generate".

The Victorian Nanotechnology Statement provides a framework for a new strategic partnership between governments, industry and the research sector, focused around five priorities:

• Responsible Development – through regulatory frameworks and industry-designed and led protocols and addressing social and ethical issues through balanced and factual information and dialogue;
• Boosting Industry Uptake – through industry-research clustering; product development capabilities and improving information and knowledge flow;
• Forging Global Connections – through strategic alliances; boosting investment, export and brand promotion activities, and convening an international panel of experts to stimulate international business and research partnership opportunities;
• Skills and Education – with a strong focus on developing vocational education and practical skills; creating strong secondary and tertiary education nanotech curriculum and engaging the community and stakeholders; and
• Building Platforms for the Future – through protecting our ability to conduct basic research; utilisation of our research infrastructure by industry and coordinating research activity towards industry solutions.

Copies of the Victorian Nanotechnology Statement are available online at: www.business.vic.gov.au.

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Victorian Cancer Agency awards

The inaugural Victorian Cancer Agency fellowships and scholarships have been awarded to support researchers in the areas of clinical cancer, supportive care, palliative care and survivorship services.

Fellowships were awarded to:

• Associate Professor Ian Davis, from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research – Austin campus and Austin Health, for his research on in-situ immunology and biology of urological cancers;
• Dr Lara Lipton from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research – Parkville campus and Royal Melbourne Hospital – for research into optimising the use of current treatments, and developing novel therapeutics, through greater understanding of the genetics of colorectal cancer development and prognosis;
• Dr Kylie Mason of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Royal Melbourne Hospital, for research on the modulation of the apoptotic pathway to treat haematological malignancy; and
• Dr David Thomas from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, for a comprehensive research program in adolescent and young adult cancer that will cover basic, translational and clinical research.

Scholarship winners are:

• Annabel Pollard, from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, for a randomised controlled trial of a behavioural intervention to promote adoption and adherence of health behaviours in breast cancer survivors;
• Emma O’Brien from the Royal Melbourne Hospital for a project on the effect of music therapy on hospitalised cancer patients’ quality of life, mood and satisfaction with hospital stay; and
• Dr Linda Mileshkin from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for research into making a difference through supporting patients and their caregivers with advanced lung or breast cancer.

The Victorian Cancer Agency (VCA) was established with $15 million from the Victorian Government.

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Announcements

Call for Nominations: 2008 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science Awards

We are seeking nominations for Australia’s national science and science teaching awards:
• The $300,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
• The $50,000 Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
• The $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
• The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
• The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

Nominations are open until 5 pm AEST, Friday 9 May 2008

Details at http://www.dest.gov.au/scienceprize or contact the Science Prizes Secretariat in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on (02) 6240 5066, email: pmprize@dest.gov.au

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Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) call for projects to accelerate delivery of sugarcane varieties

Call for projects to accelerate delivery of sugarcane varieties

The Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) invites researchers and members of Australia’s sugar industry to submit expressions of interest for research projects to commence after June 2008, to accelerate the development and release of new sugarcane varieties. The projects will be funded through a grant provided by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to SRDC through Regional and Community Projects (RCP) funding.

SRDC encourages partnership projects involving industry, researchers and/or community members. The Corporation welcomes proposals from new participants in sugar industry R&D.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential proposals with Dr Robert Troedson, SRDC Investment Manager, on (07) 3225 9441 before submitting an expression of interest.

Applications using the RCP Project Expression of Interest Form must be submitted electronically as an attachment to an email to apply@srdc.gov.au by 14 March 2008.

The Application Form and an Application Kit are available from the SRDC website www.srdc.gov.au.

SRDC expects funding of up to $2.0 million to be available for the selection and funding of projects under this call, subject to grant receipts from the Commonwealth. Conventional, biotechnology and other emerging approaches will be considered. Projects should undertake a discrete program of work that will deliver specific outputs by the end of the project. Projects should preferably be conducted within a three-year period, but consideration will be given to longer-term projects if they score highly on SRDC’s selection criteria.

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Call for Applications: Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) program

The Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) program is aimed at stimulating Australia's venture capital sector by making available to fund managers a world class investment vehicle. A venture capital fund registered as an ESVCLP will be entitled to flow-through income tax treatment and a complete tax exemption for income, both revenue and capital, received by its partners whether resident or non-resident.

To qualify for registration* as an ESVCLP a fund must be a registered partnership with no more than $100 million in committed capital and must invest in businesses with total assets not exceeding $50 million immediately prior to investment. An ESVCLP must also divest itself of any holdings once the total assets of the investee exceed $250 million. As the income will be exempt from tax, investors will not be able to deduct investment losses. For more information go to: HERE

For further information about AusIndustry see here.

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Conferences & Events

The Genetically Modified Crops Summit — Assessing the future opportunities and challenges of Australia’s GM crop industry

Genetically modified crops: where do you stand?
Play your part in this important debate and contribute to finding workable solutions for all stakeholders.

The Genetically Modified Crops Summit – Assessing the future opportunities and challenges of Australia’s GM crop industry – 21st – 22nd May 2008, Rendezvous Hotel, Melbourne. Visit www.informa.com.au/gmcrops/ex4

The Genetically Modified Crops Summit is focused on assessing the future opportunities and challenges of Australia’s GM crop industry. This is a crucial time for Australian agriculture with the pressure of drought driving many producers into debt and uncertainty. With the Federal Government funds being allocated to research that will cover GM crops and the NSW and Victorian State Governments having lifted the moratoria on GM canola there is a great deal of movement in the industry; many new opportunities are brought to the fore but at the same time opens up an equal number of questions and concerns. GM can be a sensitive topic and arouses considerable discontent: an in-depth debate is vital in ensuring that the introduction of future varieties of GM crops in Australia is done in the best way possible.

The Genetically Modified Crops Summit convenes a premier forum of industry leaders and experts to examine the very real challenges and exciting opportunities the introduction of GM crops can bring. This will be the perfect opportunity for you to gauge your part in the future of GM crops and agriculture in Australia.

Some of the key issues that will be covered in the 2008 Summit include:
• The co-existence of organic and GM crops: A UK perspective
• The ethical debate surrounding GM crops
• A legal perspective on GM foods and bio-fortified foods
• GM pastures and GM wheat – the latest developments
• An overview of the economic impact assessment of GM canola for the Victorian Government
• Using GM drought tolerant wheat to reduce the annual loss suffered by the Australian economy
• Public attitudes towards GM crops
• The challenges of testing GM foods and commodities

Listen to top Australian practitioners and experts including:
• Bob Fiddaman, Chair, Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops, UK
• Andre Leu, Chair, Organic Federation of Australia
• Scott Kinnear, Director, Biological Farmers of Australia
• Professor German Spangenberg, Executive Director, Biosciences Division, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
• Dr TJ Higgins, Deputy Chief, CSIRO Plant Industry
• Dr Glenn Tong, Chief Executive Officer, Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre
• Joe Lederman, Managing Principal, FOODLEGAL & Adjunct Professor of Food Law, Deakin University
• Craig Cormick, Manager of Public Awareness, Biotechnology Australia

To request more information about the event please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at any time on (+61 2) 9080 4307 or email registration@informa.com.au or visit www.informa.com.au/gmcrops/ex4

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Further Education

Managing Clinical Research Projects & Teams

Managing Clinical Research Projects & Teams
12.5 points

Effective management is essential to delivering projects that run on time and on budget and involves managing all resources available to maximise results from the available resources. It is the skill of directing the complex and often problematic interaction of people and events that occur during a research project. Few projects run smoothly, and unforeseen problems are common – but rarely fatal – to research activities. Good planning and appropriate responses to these problems can overcome what seem like enormous obstacles, as well as the common pitfalls that can catch out even the most experienced researchers and managers. Topics covered will include: Designing, planning and managing projects, resource management, including insourcing and outsourcing, project budget management, delivering outcomes, common pitfalls to successful trial implementation, running the trial, analysing and interpreting data, complying with regulations, key stakeholder management and reporting, managing project teams, team work styles, managing and rewarding team performance, and managing conflict.

Managing Clinical Research Projects and Teams

Dates: April 7, 8, 10, 11 2008

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Business Services

Spruson&Ferguson: patent and trade mark attorneys

With over 120 years experience, Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property firm in Australia which provides a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your intellectual property.

Spruson & Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property firms in Australia, with a team of over 220. Our 60 plus patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers work in specialised practice areas; Chemical/Life Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical/Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) and Trade Marks, together with Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers which provides intellectual property commercialisation, enforcement and dispute resolution services.

Spruson & Ferguson’s patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers have extensive intellectual property and industry experience in science and engineering including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, phototonics, transport, telecommunications, mining, publishing, consumer products, ceramics, chemistry and mechanical/medical technologies.

The depth of our industry experience is an attribute that many of our clients hold in high regard. Spruson & Ferguson is a recognised as a market leader with multinationals and many of Australia’s foremost research institutions entrusting to us to protect and assisting with the maximisation of returns on their intellectual property assets.

Our comprehensive range of services includes patents, trademarks, designs, domain names, IP audits, due diligence, dispute resolution and litigation and intellectual property commercialisation services including licensing, joint ventures and research and development collaborations.

For more information about our comprehensive range of intellectual property services, please contact one of the following relationship principals:

Chemical: Dr John McCann BSc (Hons) PhD FIPTA
Life Sciences: Dr Andrew Blattman BScAgr (Hons) PhD GDipIP FIPTA
Electrical: Robert Miller BE BLegS FIPTA
ICT: Scott Berggren BSEE MSEE LLB FIPTA
Mechanical: Greg Turner BE FIPTA
Trade Marks: Annette Freeman BA LLB (ANU) LLM (UTS)
IP Commercialisation: Rob McInnes BSc (Hons) LLB (Syd)
IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Simon Williams BA LLB (Syd) LLM (Lond)
Managing Principal: David Griffith BE (Hons) FIPTA

Telephone: (02) 9393 0100
Fax: (02) 9261 5486
Email mail@sprusons.com.au
Website here 

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Positions Vacant

Scientists and Engineer Wanted - Become a Patent Examiner — help shape the future

Scientists and Engineers Wanted
Become a Patent Examiner — help shape the future

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Not everyone can claim to have a job where they are amongst the first to see the details of new and exciting inventions and technology, let alone play a lead role in the innovation process. But as a Patent Examiner, that’s exactly your role.

As a patent examiner, you can enjoy a secure, ongoing role with a range of flexible working conditions, including flex time, providing you with a great life balance. And once you’ve gained experience, there may be an opportunity to work from home or in an out posted environment.

We offer an attractive starting salary in the range of $46,161-$58,550 depending on qualifications and experience with competency based progression up to $68,560.

We are currently seeking people with qualifications and experience in:
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All Patent Examiner positions are initially based in Canberra and successful applicants are due to commence in August 2008. Examiners receive on the job training and access to development and career progression programs.

To apply or obtain the job documentation and further information, please visit www.ipaustralia.gov.au/about/jobspatexam.shtml or phone (02) 6283 2100. If you’re interested in learning more about the role of a Patent Examiner, phone David Griffiths on (02) 6283 2628.

To be eligible for employment you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have an appropriate work visa and are close to attaining permanent residency.

Applications close: Friday 21 March 2008.

Join IP Australia and help shape the future

IP Australia, the government agency responsible for administering intellectual property (IP) rights, such as patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder’s rights.

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