News Alerts

Call for responses to ERA consultation paper

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, has released a consultation paper on the development of the new Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative.

Senator Carr said that the ERA, announced in February this year, will inform government, industry, business and others about the quality of research in Australia’s higher education institutions, and guide future investment in research. 

He said that it was vital that the government had the confidence of stakeholders in the operation of the new evaluation framework, and he encouraged all researchers to respond to the consultation paper, which seeks feedback on a range of issues, including the attribution of publications and other indicators of research.

The ERA, which is being developed by the Australian Research Council (ARC), will aim to:
• identify excellence across the full spectrum of research activity;
• compare Australia’s research effort against international benchmarks;
• create incentives to improve the quality of research; and
• identify emerging research areas and opportunities for further development.

Senator Carr said he anticipated that, following the general consultation process, the ARC would establish a Metrics Working Group and begin targeted consultation on the first clusters to be evaluated — the Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences and the Humanities and Creative Arts.

The consultation paper was prepared by the ARC with input from the National Health and Medical Research Council and advice from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and the independent ARC Advisory Council.

The closing date for responses is Monday, 30 June 2008. For more information, including the consultation paper, see www.arc.gov.au/era.

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First round of Education Investment Fund announced

The 2009 round of the Rudd Government's $11 billion Education Investment Fund (EIF), announced in the recent Budget, has been launched.

The EIF will fund strategic investment in Australia's universities, vocational education institutions and major research institutes, replacing the former Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF).

The 2009 funding round will focus on higher education institutions, with $304 million available for new research facilities or capital expenditure in Australia's universities. This funding was to have been available under the HEEF.Guidelines for the first EIF funding round have been developed by an Advisory Board led by Mr Philip Clark.

Higher education institutions are encouraged to submit expressions of interest for project funding, outlining strategic plans for infrastructure improvement to enhance their teaching, learning, research and/or research training capacity. 

Expressions of Interest for funding close at 5 pm (AEST) on 14 August 2008. These submissions will be considered, and those short listed will be invited to submit full applications. Successful projects will then be announced in July 2009.

More information is at http://www.heef.deewr.gov.au/EIF/default.htm

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CSIRO’s Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship launched

CSIRO’s new Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship, funding for which was announced a year ago, has been officially launched by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr.

The objectives of the Flagship are to help the mining industry discover new resources; mine them more productively and safely; economically mine and process ore bodies that are currently considered marginal; reduce negative environmental impacts; and advance mining technology and services.

The Minerals Down Under Flagship, headed by Dr Peter Lilly, has research nodes located at Floreat, Waterford and the Australian Resources Research Centre in Western Australia, Lindfield, Marsfield and North Ryde in New South Wales, Clayton in Victoria and the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies.

It has collaborative links to eight other CSIRO divisions, all of state and territory geological surveys, Geoscience Australia, ANSTO, AMIRA, ten universities, three CRCs and NASA.

More information is at http://www.csiro.au/org/MineralsDownUnderOverview.html

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Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research

Professor James Whisstock has been awarded the 2008 Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research.

Professor Whisstock is a protein crystallographer and bioinformatician in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University. He has particular expertise in proteases and their inhibitors and in the structural biology of bacterial virulence factors.

Announcing the awards, Mike Kelly MP, representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, said his work had led to a better understanding of the the causes of diseases such as viral infections, emphysema, liver cirrhosis and thrombosis as well as the causes and treatment of cancer.  Professor Whisstock received a $50,000 award and a medal.

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Victorian Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research

The 2008 Victorian Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research has been awarded to Dr Benjamin Wei whose research has played a key role in demonstrating how to prevent the risk of meningitis following cochlear implant surgery .

Dr Wei, who is currently a surgeon-scientist registrar, is training to become a specialist surgeon in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Dr Wei was presented with $16,000 and a trophy. The Bionic Ear Institute also received the $30,000 Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Award.

Three $8000 Commendation awards have also been presented by the Premier, John Brumby. The recipients are:

• Hilary Hoare, whose research has revealed how the protein HLA-E interacts with T cells, an interaction that has future implications for preventing transplanted organs from being rejected;
• Dr Priscilla Kelly who discovered that Bcl-x, a protein that inhibits programmed cell death (apoptosis), is essential for cancer formation; and
• Linda Wakim who discovered that killer T cells can directly respond to an infection without having to recirculate back to the lymph nodes or spleen.

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Queensland’s updated innovation strategy announced

The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, has announced the updated Smart State Strategy, a $120 million program over four years (2008-2012) that will focus on investing in people, ideas and partnerships to drive creativity and innovation.

The strategy comprises:

• $23.3 million to attract and retain some of the brightest minds in science and industry to solve the challenges of the future . This includes: a $3.3 million International Fellowships Program that will provide opportunities for 13 Queenslanders per year to undertake research with world-class institutes in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States of America; the $4 million Commercialisation Fellowships for Researchers and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program;
• $25 million Health and Medical Research Program to fund six Senior Clinical Fellows, 22 Health Research Fellows and 12 Clinical Academic Fellows;
• a $60 million Innovation Projects Fund to support collaborations between researchers and industry- research partnerships. Components of this program include: $4 million Proof-of-Concept Fund, which will help address funding gaps in public sector research commercialisation; $2 million for research and ideas development between researchers and industry, with a focus on Queensland’s regions; an Ideas to Market initiative; and the Enabling Technologies program which will support continued growth in emerging, knowledge-intensive industries such as information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology, nanotechnology and creative industries, and their application to traditional industries such as mining and agriculture.
•  Designing Queensland – $3 million to increase the profile of Queensland’s design expertise and lift industry competitiveness through design.

 More information is at http://www.smartstate.qld.gov.au/strategy/index.shtm

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Queensland’s Smart State Fellows announced

The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, has awarded three Smart State fellowships, which provide funding for early or mid-career researchers to undertake innovative research in Queensland.

The winner of the 2008 Smart State Premier’s Fellowship is Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, founder of The University of Queensland's Centre for Marine Studies and Deputy Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.

Two researchers are recipients of Queensland Clinical Research Fellowships. They are:

• Associate Professor Maher Gandhi, Head of the Clinical Immunohaematology Lab at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Consultant Haematologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Department of Haematology. Dr Gandhi is undertaking research on lymphoma;
• Professor Anne Chang, Pediatric Respiratory Physician at Royal Children's Hospital, Head of Child Health at the Menzies School of Health Research and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at The University of Queensland.

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Director appointed for South Australia’s Ri Australia

The inaugural Director for South Australia’s Ri Australia will be Professor Gavin Brown, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sydney and formerly both Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. Professor Brown will take up the appointment in August

Ri Australia is to be a partner organization to the Royal Institution in London,  which is led by former Adelaide Thinker in Residence, the neuro-scientist Baroness Susan Greenfield. When it opens it will be the first time in 209 years that the Royal Institution will have a twin institution based outside of London.

The Ri Australia will be housed in the heritage Stock Exchange building at the rear of the Grenfell Centre in Adelaide. Refurbishment of the building is scheduled for completion by May next year. Ri Australia is planned as a focus for science awareness activities in South Australia, staging public forums and live links into lectures and forums being delivered at the RI in London.

The SA Premier, Mike Rann, said its charter is to provide an opportunity for everyone, irrespective of background, to engage with ground-breaking scientific information and discuss the challenges of science and technology in shaping our future.

“I want it to become a dynamic hub of scientific endeavour – for scientists as well as with families, students, educators, media, government and industry. Its aim is to bring science into the heart of the community and help foster a scientifically literate community," Mr Rann said.

A series of science projects will be run from the Ri Australia, most of them initiated by Baroness Greenfield during her Adelaide residences. The Australian Science Media Centre will also be housed in the new Ri Australia.

The work of Ri Australia is overseen by a council of scientists and business people, chaired by Peter Yates (Chairman of Peony Capital and former PBL boss). Other council members are Sir Rod Eddington, Dr Catherine Livingstone, Prof John Yovich, Mr Martyn Myer, Baroness Susan Greenfield, Mr Javier Moll and Emeritus Professor Max Brennan.

To date, more than $12 million has been committed by the State Government to establish Ri Australia, and a further $1 million has been promised to kick off a fund raising campaign for future operations. Santos will contribute $5 million by the end of November under an agreement with the SA government following the removal of its 15 percent shareholder cap.

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WA Science Awards boosted

The Western Australian Premier’s Science Awards have been increased to total prize money of $400,000, making them the richest in Australia, and a new category has been added.

A call has been made for nominations for this year’s awards. Awards include:

• Scientist of the Year - $100,000;
• Young Scientist of the Year - $50,000;
• Excellence in Science Communication outside the Classroom - $50,000;
• Excellence in Science Teaching: Primary - $50,000;
• Excellence in Science Teaching: Secondary -$50,000;
• Excellence in Science Teaching: Tertiary - $50,000;
• Science Student of the Year: Secondary - $10,000;
• Science Student of the Year: TAFE - $20,000; and
• Science Student of the Year: University - $20,000

Nominations close 5pm on Thursday July 31, 2008. For more information and a copy of the nomination forms, visit http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/premiersscienceawards.

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AIMS CEO to head Census of Marine Life

The CEO of THE Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Dr Ian Poiner, has been appointed Chair of the international Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of the Census of Marine Life (www.coml.org).

The Census of Marine Life, which began in 2000 and whose secretariat is based in Washington DC, is a global network of researchers in more than 70 nations engaged in a 10-year initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in the world’s oceans, past, present and future.

Support for the Census comes from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, government agencies concerned with science, environment and fisheries in a growing list of nations as well as from private foundations and companies including Australia’s BHP Billiton.

The Steering Committee is made up of scientists from around the world who provide conceptual guidance, determine scientific goals and oversee the progress and direction of the program. They meet three times a year.

Dr Poiner has led AIMS since July 2004, following a long stint with CSIRO Marine Research. He has taken over from the foundation SSC Chair, Dr Fred Grassle, Professor of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University in the United States who, with Mr Jesse Ausubel, Program Manager, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, instigated the Census. His new position was confirmed during a meeting of the SSC in Hangzhou, China.

Dr Poiner now heads up a committee of 16 prominent scientists, including Vice-Chair Victor Ariel Gallardo, Professor at the Department of Oceanography at the Universidad de Concepcion in Chile and Dr Grassle. Other committee members are from France, Japan, Canada, Italy, China, the US, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Australia is playing a role in the Census with scientists from AIMS, Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO, Queensland Museum, Victorian Museum, University of Tasmania and others participating in the program. Australian institutions lead two of the 17 CoML Programs – Census of Antarctica Living Marine Resources (CAML) and Census of Coral Reefs (CReefs).

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Further Education

Applied Analysis of Clinical Trials

Applied Analysis of Clinical Trials

The Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs, University of Melbourne, is pleased to announce that we will be holding a 4 day short course on Applied Analysis on June 23, 24, 26, 27 2008.

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so be quick!

This course has been specifically designed for people already in clinical practice who: want to broaden their understanding on the major statistical methods used in analysing data from clinical trials, perform analysis on such data within limitations, using an appropriate statistical package, understand the limitations and assumptions of such analyses, be familiar with the statistical terms used in the literature, interpret and explain to others in clear language the relevant information from such analyses & understand the advantages and weaknesses of repeated measures, crossover designs, factorial and blocked designs from a statistical perspective.

Cost: $2,100 + GST

When: June 23, 24, 26 & 27 2008

Where: The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Victoria Australia 3122

Express your interest in this course and related courses by contacting:

• Mary Georges on (03) 9810 3185 or email m.georges@mccp.unimelb.edu.au

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Announcements

Call for nominations — NSW Scientist of the Year Awards

Call for nominations – NSW Scientist of the Year Awards

Nominations are invited for the inaugural, $45,000 NSW Scientist of the Year Award.

The NSW Scientist of the Year Awards will recognise and reward cutting-edge work that generates economic, health, environmental or technological benefits for NSW. Scientific researchers from NSW are encouraged to enter the awards and showcase their contributions to a better future.

Nine awards of $5,000 each will be granted to individuals in the following categories:

1. Environment, water and climate change sciences
2. Mathematical sciences
3. Physics & astronomy
4. Biomedical sciences
5. Plant & animal sciences
6. Chemistry
7. Computer sciences
8. Engineering sciences
9. Leadership in secondary science teaching

The main award of $40,000 for the NSW Scientist of the Year will be granted to the overall winner, selected from the first eight categories.

The ninth category will reward outstanding ability and leadership by a secondary school science teacher with the winner being offered a visiting placement at a NSW university.

Nominations for the Awards close on Friday, 20 June, with an awards ceremony to be held in September.

Download nomination form for the NSW Scientist of the Year Awards.

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General Sir John Monash Awards

General Sir John Monash Awards

Make a Difference! BE ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE LEADERS

General Sir John Monash Awards
• Up to $150,000 over three years
• Postgraduate study commencing 2009
• Applications close 31 August 2008
More information www.monashawards.org

Award Supporters: Federal Government (DEST), Boeing Corporation, Commonwealth Bank Ltd, General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Retd) Macquarie Bank, the Pratt Foundation, Tenix, the Westfield Foundation and WorleyParsons Ltd.

“Global challenges demand investment in the knowledge society. We seek further competitive advantage by investing in outstanding leaders for Australia’s knowledge society. We offer to Australia’s future leaders the General Sir John Monash Awards for international postgraduate study in any field, at the world’s best universities.”
General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Retd)
Chairman

Leaders making a difference to Australia’s Future

www.monashawards.org

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Positions Vacant

Process Manager, Development Projects

Process Manager
Development Projects

* Innovative Hydrometallurgy solutions
* Excellent career opportunity in Sydney Australia

ANSTO Minerals is part of Australia’s national organisation for nuclear research and development. They provide consulting and professional technical services, nationally and internationally, to the mining industry in their core business areas of uranium and radioactive ore processing. Specifically, they lead commercially sponsored projects with a strong R & D component in hydrometallurgical flowsheet development.

Our client has substantial R & D resources that focus on developing and implementing innovative technology, working in partnership with external customers, providing leading edge solutions to technical problems. They have invested substantially in pilot plants, laboratories and analytical technology to support a large team of highly talented scientists and technicians.

We are seeking a mature and experienced individual to provide strategic leadership to process development projects for operations in the area of hydrometallurgy. You will be required to:

• Conceptualise, develop and negotiate client business proposals with clear economic value;
• Lead commercially sustainable client sponsored projects, with a strong R & D component, through to successful completion;
• Lead, mentor, develop and empower a team of diverse technical and professional staff;
• Seize opportunities for innovation and creativity for solving complex problems and provide a competitive advantage to ANSTO Minerals projects.

Applicants must demonstrate superior written and verbal communication skills; the ability to foster and sustain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders; sound commercial judgement in an R & D environment; and a track record of successful project management. A degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related area is essential.

ANSTO Minerals offers excellent relocation assistance to applicants from overseas and interstate, and an attractive remuneration package will be negotiated. Overseas applicants are encouraged to apply. ANSTO Minerals is located in a delightful natural bush environment with easy access to the City of Sydney, attractive residential suburbs, beaches and all amenities.

To register your interest send a resume via e-mail to richard@exec-search.com.au, or mail to exec.search pty ltd, PO Box 787, West Perth, WA 6872. Telephone queries can be directed to Richard Hazlewood 61 8 9481 7033.

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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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