News Alerts

New CEO for CSIRO

CSIRO is recruiting a new Chief Executive to succeed Dr Geoff Garrett, whose term of appointment will conclude at the end of 2008.

The position has been advertised, with applications closing on March 31. It calls for experience in applied scientific research, technology transfer and senior business management, as well as skills in dealing with stakeholders

Further information is available at https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/job_details.asp?RefNo=2008%2F185

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Rio Tinto boosts R&D investment

RIO Tinto has committed $10.5 million to develop a mining research and development centre with Western Australia's Curtin University.

The new Mining and Sensing Centre will focus on the use of sensors and new materials applied to open pit (surface) and underground mining.

In a statement to the Australian Securities Commission, the company said the major targets for the technologies will be Rio Tinto’s operations in the Pilbara and the underground developments in the Copper Group.

Rio Tinto's mine of the future program has been underway for nearly a decade and aims to automate processes throughout the supply chain.

The new centre will provide direct links with research groups in the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, South America and China.

The research will allow improvements in the gathering of information on how mining should be undertaken, deployments in rock excavation and transport, and enhancing basic mining processes by using novel materials.

The funding is for a period of five years.

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New Chief Scientist for South Australia

Former Commonwealth Chief Defence Scientist and head of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Dr. Ian Chessell, has been appointed as South Australia’s new Chief Scientist. He replaces the outgoing inaugural Chief Scientist, Emeritus Professor Max Brennan AO

The Premier Mike Rann said that Dr Chessell’s role will be to help to raise South Australia’s research and development profile and ensure that its R&D capabilities support important and emerging industry sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, health, bioscience and resources.

“He will continue the fine efforts of his predecessor, Professor Brennan, to enhance the links established between government, academia and industry to ensure that South Australia strongly benefits from the practical application of research”, the Premier said.

As Chief Scientist, Dr. Chessell will also Co-Chair the Premier’s Science and Research Council. The Chief Scientist is appointed on a part-time basis and Dr Chessell has already commenced in the role.

Amongst a range of senior Board appointments, Dr Chessell has been a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council and the Premier’s Science and Research Council in SA and is currently a member of the Premier’s Defence SA Advisory Board.

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COMET funding announced

Funding of 23.6 million has been announced for 40 projects under the Federal Government’s Commercial Ready and Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) scheme.

The largest grant was $5 million to BluGlass Limited which aims to demonstrate a novel low-cost, high throughput process for producing gallium nitride, used to make devices such as high-brightness blue and white LEDs.

Veem Engineering Group Pty Ltd has been awarded $4.475 million to develop an adjustable pitch propeller for the marine industry, while MiltiTrade Pty Ltd will receive $3.18 million to develop a web –based control and monitoring system for pressure sewerage collection and for treatment plants.

Details of other grant winners are available from the website.

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Call for groundwater research proposals

A call has been made for research proposals for funding under the new $30 million Centre for Groundwater Research and Training.

The national Centre for Groundwater Research and Training is being established under the National Groundwater Action Plan.

Mr Ken Matthews, CEO of the National Water Commission, said the aim of the centre was to build up Australia’s groundwater knowledge and tackle the critical shortage of skilled groundwater scientists and managers.

"Compared to surface water, groundwater has been the poor cousin of Australian water resources, with limited time and effort being devoted to its planning, management and sustainable development."

"This new Centre, together with the other elements of the National Groundwater Action Plan, will underpin sustainable management of our groundwater resources and advance the reforms agreed to under the National Water Initiative objectives."

The primary function of the Centre will be to train postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists in advanced hydrogeological and related technologies, as well as improving knowledge of groundwater connectivity and policy and management issues confronting water managers.

Application funding information is available at http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/groundwater.htm with proposals due by 30 May 2008.

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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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2008 Victoria Prize and Fellowships - Applications closing soon

Applications closing soon for 2008 Victoria Prize and Fellowships

The Victorian Government is seeking nominations for the annual $50,000 Victoria Prize. The award recognises a Victorian whose groundbreaking discovery or innovation in science engineering or technology significantly advances knowledge or produces a commercial outcome or other benefit to the community.

The research institute supporting the Victoria Prize recipient will be awarded the $100,000 Anne & Eric Smorgan Memorial Award by the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation.

Applications are also now open to Victorian postgraduate students and young researchers working in private enterprise or a research institute, for up to six $18,000 Victoria Fellowships for overseas study grants.

For application forms, details of information sessions and more information about these prestigious awards go to www.business.vic.gov.au/vicprize or call (03) 9651 8029.

Nominations and applications close on 7 April 2008.

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2008 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

Presented annually by the Australian Museum, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are Australia’s most comprehensive science awards, rewarding excellence in the fields of Research & Innovation, Leadership, School Science and Science Communication & Journalism.

Entries and nominations are now invited for the Research & Innovation category consisting of 10 exciting awards with $100,000 in prize money:
· Ethics Research
· Innovative Solutions to Climate Change
· Water Research and Innovation
· Environmental Sustainability Education
· Medical Research
· Environmental Research
· Scientific Research
· Research that Contributes to Animal Protection

and 2 new prizes launched in 2008
· Science in Support of Defence or National Security
· Taxonomic Research

Entries close 2 May 2008

For further information on the prizes, finalists and winners from previous years, and how to enter, go to www.australianmuseum.net.au/eureka or email eureka@austmus.gov.au  

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Conferences & Events

Writing Clear Science Workshops for Science Professionals and Students

Writing Clear Science Workshops

We help science professionals and students improve their writing skills. Our writing workshops are relevant to individuals from all science backgrounds and different levels of academic achievement. People who attend our workshops greatly improve their ability to write high-quality science documents: - research reports, peer-reviewed papers, industry reports, fact sheets, media releases and theses.

Writing Clear Science workshops are regularly held throughout Australia as:

- Open Workshops: We visit most capital cities. Individual and group bookings are welcome.

- In-House Workshops: 1-to-3 day workshops tailored to your needs and held at your institution.

Open Workshop Course

Day 1: The Nuts & Bolts: Writing Clearly & Succinctly

Day 2: Writing Reports, Articles & Peer-Reviewed Papers

Day 3: Writing Your Thesis

Enrolments are available for Day 1, Day 1-2 or Day 1-3.

Open Workshop Calendar

SYDNEY: UNILINC Meeting Room, Level 9, 210 Clarence Street, Sydney.
Wed. 16th-Fri. 18th April.

CANBERRA: CSIRO Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross Street, Acton. Wed. 25th – Fri. 27th June.

MELBOURNE: The Victorian Writers Centre, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD. Wed. 27th – Fri. 29th August.

To download registration form and for further information go to www.writingclearscience.com.au, or please contact Dr Marina Hurley on 0416-097979 or info@writingclearscience.com.au.

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IP Australia and Rothworx are partnering together to present Innovate 2008

IP Australia and Rothworx are partnering together to present Innovate 2008.

As part of World IP Day, a one day conference is being held in conjunction with Showcase 2008 on Friday 18th April at Australian Technology Park, Sydney.

The conference will cover relevant, complex and sensitive issues facing all professionals working in Intellectual Property.

No matter what stage of the innovation process you are at our experts have been there and are keen to share their experiences to assist you. Case studies including ResMed, CSIRO, Johnson & Johnson, Sydnovate and many more will help you overcome all obstacles in the innovation process.

Maintain your competitive edge, be at the forefront of innovation, protect your intellectual property, maximize your return on research & development, ensure ideas turn into commercial reality and financial success.

Interactive Panel, Have your questions answered! Excellent Networking Opportunities!

Conference price includes Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea.

For more information click here or call 02 9363 1401

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Intellectual Property Management in Practice Conference 2008

 

IINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE

CONFERENCE 2008

THE GRACE HOTEL, SYDNEY, 19th – 21st MAY 2008.

19 sessions on key IP issues and emerging trends 

•  3 Workshops

• 7 Case Studies

Are you looking to achieve the best commercialisation deal imaginable whilst proactively protecting your confidential information? Would you like to establish your organisation’s IP as a more strategic part of the business and gain a competitive advantage?

Tonkin Corporation will be holding the IP Management in practice conference on 19th-21st May 2008 at the Grace Hotel in Sydney. Leading IP management specialists and leading law firms in IP have been assembled to identify and draw together all key aspects of IP management including international commercialisation, licensing, protecting confidential information, capital raising, developing strategic collaborations, branding and IP, digital IP management, IP innovation, tax issues associated with acquiring, developing and commercialising IP and best practice IP auditing.

IP Managers, Commercialisation Managers, IP Advisors, IP Strategists, Patent Managers, Trade Mark Managers, Innovation Managers, Licensing Managers, Technology Managers, Legal Counsel and Research and Development Managers are invited to hear from IBM, Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand, CSIRO, James Hardie, Australian Institute of Commercialisation, Deloitte, KPMG, Watermark and Minter Ellison on:

• reducing IP investment costs and generating extra revenue through licensing

• creating value through cross-fertilisation between public sector research and business

• determining commercial prospects for innovation, inventions and ideas through technology transfer centres

• eliminating the confusion as to where your IP should be based

• protecting core IP assets while encouraging broader collaboration with strategic partners

• establishing a structured innovation framework

• eliminating exposure to material claims of IP rights infringement

• effectively measuring your IP

• managing potential risks of commercialisation; and maximising tax concessions.

Supported by:
IP Australia

Endorsed by:
Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand
Australian Institute for Commercialisation

Download Programme

Contact Tonkin Corporation at australis@TonkinCorporation.com or telephone 02 9224 6000 to save up to $550 per booking.

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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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