News Alerts

New Chief Scientist appointed

Professor Penny Sackett, the former Director of the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories (2002 – 2007), has been appointed as Australia’s new full-time Chief Scientist.

Announcing the appointment, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said that making the role full-term rather than part-time “demonstrates the store the Rudd Government places in high-calibre, independent, scientific advice”.

Professor Sackett is a member of the Australian and American Astronomical Societies, the International Astronomical Union and the Association for Women in Science.
She is an Elected International Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and is involved in governance of the Gemini Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute. She is also currently a director of the Giant Magellan Telescope, a project to build the world's most powerful optical telescope.

Professor Sackett replaces Dr Jim Peacock whose term in the position ended on 31 August this year.

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New $100 million global institute for carbon capture and storage

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that the Australian government will support a $100 million Global Institute that will be established in Australia to develop carbon capture and storage technology.

The Institute will aim to accelerate carbon projects through facilitating demonstration projects and identifying and supporting necessary research - including regulatory settings and regulatory frameworks. Informal discussions have been held with industry and foreign governments over a possible model for the Institute, and this will now progress to more detailed consideration of the concept. The Australian government has pledged a continuing contribution of up to $100 million per annum towards the Institute’s operation.

The Queensland government is actively lobbying to have the Institute located there, claiming that existing activities, legislation and research initiatives make Queensland the best site. Energy Minister Geoff Wilson reinforced Queensland’s case highlighting that with the Commonwealth’s collaboration, the Callide Oxyfuel Project is commencing the retrofit of CS Energy’s Callide A power station, to demonstrate Oxyfuel technology.

“Similarly, the ZeroGen IGCC is well advanced in attracting substantial sponsorship support from the Australian Coal Industry, and Japanese interests are also considering substantial support and involvement in this project.

“Also .....CSIRO has been working for several years at the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technology and the Centre for Low Emissions Technologies, on a range of low emissions, applied technologies projects. More recently, collaborative arrangements have been initiated and progressed with leading applied research organisations in Japan, Germany, the USA and China,” said Mr Wilson.

The Australian government’s commitment to the Global Institute follows the establishment of the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative (NLECI), a $500 million program to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that will reduce emissions from coal use. It includes funding for research and to support the trial of different technologies.

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New IIF fund managers announced

Three successful applicants under the second tranche of round three of the Australian Government’s Innovation Investment Fund
have been announced.

Under the program, the three successful applicants will be invited to become licensed fund managers and the Australian Government will commit capital of $20 million to each fund, matched by a minimum dollar-for-dollar investment by private sector investors.

The new venture capital fund managers are:

• Andover Venture Partners, which will invest in early and expansion stage venture investments in Australian companies operating in the CleanTech, New Media, IT&T and Life Sciences sectors. It will aim to raise a total of $80 million, with a first close of $40 million and a 30 per cent average compound growth rate over the 10 year life of the Fund. The team comprises the Managing Partners, Mr. Jeremy Ingall (Executive Chairman) and Dr. Michelle Deaker (ex-OneVentures), and General Partners, Dr. Paul Kelly (ex-Gemini Genomics), Mr. Michael Smellie (ex-Sony-BMG) and a third undisclosed General Partner.
  Contact: Dr. Michelle Deaker, Phone: 02 8236 6000.
• Yuuwa Capital, a Perth-based fund. The $40 million Yuuwa Capital IIF Fund proposes to invest in a portfolio of 12 seed-stage life sciences and information and communications technology ventures, with an average capital commitment of $2.5 million. Private capital of $20 million is already committed to the fund. Key personnel are: Matthew Macfarlane, James Williams and Elizabeth (Liddy) McCall.
  Contact: Matthew Macfarlane, Phone: 0400 605 960. 
• IB Australian Bioscience Fund, which will focus on medical and life sciences. The Bioscience Managers Fund I is a private equity-style venture capital fund of A$40 million. The funds investment strategy is focused on Australian private bioscience companies at an early stage of development. Key personnel are: Matt McNamara, Dr. Darren Grubb, Jonathan Buckley, Jeremy Curnock-Cook, and Dr. Jonathan Hepple.
  Contact: Matt McNamara, Phone: (03) 9618 8216.
  
  More information is at www.ausindustry.gov.au.

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Australian appointed Director General of WIPO

Dr Francis Gurry has been appointed Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Dr Gurry is now the most senior Australian in the United Nations system, and only the third Australian to head a United Nations specialised agency.

Dr Gurry joined WIPO in 1985, and has been a Deputy Director General since 2005. Prior to joining WIPO, Dr Gurry practiced law and held a number of academic positions. He holds law degrees from the University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

WIPO is dedicated to developing an effective international intellectual property system which governs rights under patents, trade marks, designs and copyright.

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Queensland boosts investment in high-power computing

The Queensland Government is providing an additional $8.5 million to the Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF) for the purchase of new super computers.

The QCIF was set up in 2001 to increase Queensland’s innovative capacity using supercomputers, high-capacity data archives, visualisation and networking. Members of the Foundation are James Cook University (JCU), Central Queensland University, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the University of Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland. The Foundation supports R&D undertaken in the member universities and also works to encourage the uptake of advanced ICT capabilities by industry.

The new funding is in addition to $16 million provided by the state government from 2002-2007, and will leverage at least $5.1 million of funding under the Australian Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and a further $16 million cash and in-kind support from the QCIF’s member universities. It will go towards upgrading advanced computer infrastructure, expanding the Industry Outreach Program, creating a program to tackle infrastructure challenges like urban congestion and water management, and supporting NCRIS research.

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Conferences & Events

31st ATSE National Symposium - Alternative Transport Fuels for Australia

Alternative Transport Fuels for Australia
31st ATSE National Symposium,
RACV Club, Melbourne, 17-18 November 2008

The Academy’s 2008 National Symposium will address one of the most important topics our nation faces.

Recent world events have brought the issue of fuel supply into extremely sharp focus and in no fuel sector does Australia have fewer obvious alternatives than in transport fuels.

The 2008 Symposium will continue the Academy’s long, successful and distinguished tradition of providing forums for:
• discussing issues relevant to the formulation of public policies,
• conveying expert advice to Governments and the community, and
• promoting the application of scientific and engineering knowledge to practical purposes.

Leading Australian and overseas speakers will address the key issues in sessions covering biofuels, natural gas (both CNG and LPG) and non-hydrocarbon sources (electricity – including hybrids and hydrogen).

Each of these alternatives will be examined from different aspects – the policy challenges, the environmental and ethical challenges, the economic challenges and risks (including security of supply) and the engineering, infrastructure and research implementation challenges.

This will be a key conference on this vital topic when the most current information will be available and notable speakers will make cutting-edge presentations and engage with the delegates.

It’s an event you can’t afford to miss if you want to be abreast of alternative transport fuels issues and options.

For further program or registration details, contact
Cathryn Little (03) 9340 1209 or cathrynl@atse.org.au
or visit our website

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

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5th Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference

The fifth Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference, hosted jointly by CSIRO and AgResearch New Zealand, is being held at the Christchurch Convention Centre, 28–30 October 2008.

Expected to generate strong debate about future directions for Trans-Tasman animal industries, the Conference will address the increasingly contentious question of whether the future emphasis should be on ‘value’ or on ‘volume’.
The 2008 Conference will explore:

•  The drivers of change - demands and constraints
•  Cutting edge science for future animal agriculture
•  Industry transformation using case studies from the dairy, meat and fibre sectors.

Key note speakers include Barry Harris, Director Milk Supply, Fonterra whose presentation Fonterra’s strategy for ongoing performance in global markets is sure to generate much interest. Fonterra, NZ largest company (by turnover), is a cooperative owned by the country’s 11,000 dairy farmers. It is the biggest exporter of dairy products in the world and responsible for more than a third of the international dairy trade.

Co-author of the highly popular ‘CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet’ books, CSIRO’s Dr Manny Noakes will discuss current consumer drivers in her address The role of animal source foods in the development of ‘healthy’ dietary recommendations.

Hong-Kong based Dr Clint Laurent, Founder and Managing Director of Global Demographics – a privately-owned forecasting company will discuss the consumer demands that are currently driving agriculture in his presentation, The changing markets for animal protein.

YOU CAN REGISTER ON-LINE @ www.livestockhorizons.com where you will also find full details about the program, speakers and associated social events.

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Research Funding

Australian Weeds Research Centre: Open call for research project applications

Australian Weeds Research Centre
Open call for research project applications

The Australian Government has committed $15.3 million over 4 years 2008-12 to establish an Australian Weeds Research Centre.

Open call for research projects open now

In the centre’s first year $2 million is available for research projects. Applications for funding are currently invited for projects that address one of the following key priority areas.

Building on existing work

Applications are sought for activities which build on previous or current weeds research projects that require further investigation for completion, and/or assistance to make technology or findings available for use. Projects may include:

• improvement in best practice methodology
• biological control
• weed control technology
• improving technical capacity for mapping and reporting across jurisdictions to assist the gathering of good spatial information
• better understanding of the impacts of climate change on weed spread.

Innovation

Applications are being sought for projects that investigate adaptive integrated weed management strategies including integrated approaches to help reduce energy and chemical inputs in agriculture. Projects may include investigations into:

• multi-disciplinary technologies and multi species approaches
• new methods which reduce reliance on herbicides
• quantifying the impact of weeds of national significance on biodiversity.

For more information on the Australian Weeds Research Centre—including details on the open call for applications process and an application form—visit www.daff.gov.au/australianweedsresearchcentre, email australianweedsresearchcentrefunding@daff.gov.au or call 1800 136 100.

Applications close 5.00 pm 24 October 2008.

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Positions Vacant

Research Project Coordinator

Research Project Coordinator
Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Research Group
Faculty of Health Sciences
Reference No. 140778

The Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Research Group at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Health Sciences conducts clinical research addressing the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and prognosis of health conditions relevant to the allied health professions. Each of its six research teams focuses on a specific area and our newest project, funded by the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW, which aims to teach allied health professionals how to implement published research evidence with clients.

The Group is currently seeking an experienced part-time Research Project Coordinator to manage a project on evidence implementation, initiated by the OTseeker team. The successful candidate will enjoy a unique opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in evidence implementation and qualitative research while working closely with clinicians. For more information on the OTseeker evidence database and team, visit www.otseeker.com

The appointee will need to be familiar with OTseeker, a web-based evidence database containing records of randomised trials and systematic reviews relevant to occupational therapy, and other related evidence databases, as well as possess organisational and administrative skills, and be able to effectively complete specific work tasks independently and in a timely manner. Tasks will include preparing ethics applications, conducting interviews and focus groups, developing a web-based research page and planning and evaluating workshops in Sydney and rural NSW, with supervision.

Working with clinicians from different disciplines across two of Sydney's rehabilitation facilities, the appointee will apply excellent oral and written communication skills to liaise successfully with the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW, health professionals, study participants and the research team. Equally important will be the appointee’s ability to work both autonomously and as a productive team member, meet deadlines effectively under pressure, handle competing requirements and contribute to research productivity.

The successful candidate will hold a degree or equivalent in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychology, social work or nursing and a Driver’s Licence ’desirable’ not essential. Strong skills in the MS Office Suite and abilities in database literature searches, data entry and management, evidence databases and academic/research report drafting will be essential. A familiarity with specific evidence databases such as OTseeker, PEDro, PsycBITE and SpeechBITE and the PEDro rating scale will also be required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience coordinating prior research projects, preparing ethics applications, developing web-based resources and education material and conducting qualitative data collection and analysis.

The position is part-time (0.3 FTE) until September 2010 and then part-time (0.2 FTE) until September 2011, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees. Membership of a University approved superannuation scheme is a condition of employment for new appointees.

Remuneration package: up to $71,196 - $76,788 p.a. pro rata (which includes a base salary Level 6 $60,161 - $64,887 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).

For more information or to apply online, please visit http://positions.usyd.edu.au/researchjobs7

Specific enquiries about the role can be directed to Dr Annie McCluskey on (02) 9351 9834 or email a.mccluskey@usyd.edu.au General enquiries can be directed to Karen Royle on (02) 9036 7296.

Closing Date: 13 October 2008

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Research Assistant

Research Assistant
CeMPED
Central Clinical School
Reference No. 140800

A motivated, enthusiastic Research Assistant is required to support a Cancer Institute NSW funded project involving the development and preliminary evaluation of evidence-based training programs. This project aims to enhance health professional communication about prognosis/end-of-life issues with incurable cancer patients/caregivers. The Research Assistant will also provide assistance with other studies and administrative support.

The position will be based in the Central Clinical School as a component of the Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED). CeMPED’s mission is to support excellent research across the interface of Psychology, Medicine and Public Health to answer questions about: the behavioural factors which promote good health and prevent disease; ways to enhance the psychosocial adjustment of patients and carers; ways to increase use of evidence in health care decision making; and ways to support patients to be more involved in their own health care.

CeMPED’s research strengths lie in three themes: doctor-patient communication; evidence-based, shared decision making; and Psycho-Oncology. With particular expertise in cancer care, CeMPED has over 40 employees who share over 20 years of experience in this field.

This challenging and rewarding role will involve coordination and administrative support to the project leader (Dr Clayton), as well as contact with junior medical staff participants and the junior medical staff unit of Royal North Shore Hospital. It will also involve contact with the facilitators of the training programme and liaison with actors and staff from the Pam McLean Communication Centre.

This position will oversee the administration of questionnaires, and provision of assistance with the maintenance of project files, records and databases, and data analysis. Due to the nature of this work, attention to detail and high-level organisational skills are essential.

A degree in Psychology, Nursing, Health Sciences, or equivalent, is required. Knowledge of, or experience in, conducting clinical research projects and an interest in psycho-oncology and palliative care will be highly advantageous. This role also requires a confident communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills, who will liaise with researchers, young doctors, and collaborating stakeholders. The successful candidate will need to be able to interact with a diverse range of people, and work well both autonomously and as part of a team.

The position will also involve spending a significant proportion of time at Royal North Shore Hospital in the Palliative Care Department and liaising closely with the junior medical staff unit and the Pam McLean Communication Centre.

The position is fixed term for 12 months, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees. There is a possibility of extension of employment, subject to funding and need. The hours are flexible, and can be full-time or part-time job share.

Remuneration package: $,61,872 - $69,328 p.a. (which includes a base salary Level 5 $52,283 - $58,583 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).

Remuneration package: $71,196 - $76,788 p.a. (which includes a base salary Level 6 $60,161 - $64,887 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).

Remuneration package: $78,188 - $85,181 p.a. (which includes a base salary Level 7 $66,070 - $71,979 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).

Level of appointment and responsibility will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

For more information or to apply online, please visit http://positions.usyd.edu.au/researchjobs8

Specific enquiries about the role can be directed to Dr Josephine Clayton (02) 9036 5375 or email: jclayton@med.usyd.edu.au General enquiries or queries regarding the recruitment process can be directed to Nichol Hildebrand on (02) 9036 7293.

Closing Date: 9 October 2008

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