News Alerts

Appointments

New CEO for AEHRC

Healthcare, business and ICT consultant Dr Phil Gurney has been appointed CEO of the Australian e-Health Research Centre’s (AEHRC), a joint venture between CSIRO and the Queensland Government.

Dr Gurney takes over the role at the AEHRC from founding CEO, Gary Morgan, who has been appointed Deputy Director (Operations) for CSIRO’s ICT Centre.
Dr Gurney co-founded Virtual Photonics Pty Ltd (now called VPIsystems Inc), a network planning software company. He held the position of Managing Director of the Asia-Pacific region, and was a board member of the Australian and US companies. As a consultant he has advised executive teams at SMEs, not for profit and government organizations, and more recently was a senior executive at Leica Biosystems in Melbourne.

Inaugural Chair of Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute

Former President of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, has been appointed Chair of the advisory panel of a body that will guide the development of carbon capture and storage technology. The Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute is being established by the Federal Government to accelerate the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology information sharing on a global basis.

The International Advisory Panel, headed by Mr Wolfensohn, will provide broad strategic guidance to the institute and work globally to enhance its international reputation and networks. The inaugural meeting of foundation members of the institute is due to be held in Canberra later this month.

New Director for Bureau of Meteorology

Dr Greg Ayers has been appointed the new director of the Bureau of Meteorology. Dr Ayers joined CSIRO in 1975 and has held roles including Chief of Atmospheric Research and since 2005 has been the CSIRO's Chief of CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.
In 1995, Dr Ayers was awarded the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society's Priestley Medal.
Dr Neville Smith has been Acting Director of the Bureau since the departure of Dr Geoff Love in August 2008.

New ARC Executive Director for Bilogical Sciences and Biotechnology

Dr Liz Jazwinska has been appointed Executive Director for Biological Sciences and Biotechnology of the Australian Research Council. Dr Jazwinska has held various appointments at the ARC including member and chair of the College of Experts in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, member of the Federation Fellowships committee and member of the ARC advisory board.

Formerly, Dr Jazwinska worked at Johnson & Johnson Research Pty Ltd (JJR) in Sydney as Executive Director of New Business & Strategic Alliances at where she established and led the J&J Asia Pacific Partnering Group responsible for the identification and evaluation of new business opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region for Johnson & Johnson (J&J) global companies.

Prior to that she held positions as Assistant Director in Human Genetics and Pharmacogenomics in SmithKline Beecham (now GSK) in the UK, Business Development Manager at the University of Sydney, Senior Research Fellow in Human Genetics at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Research Fellow at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU.

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Australia and NZ sign up to Ocean Drilling Program

A consortium of 14 Australian and New Zealand universities, the Australian Research Council and three government agencies has signed up to the world’s largest ocean research program, the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP).

The Australian-New Zealand IODP Consortium (ANZIC) is led in Australia by the Australian National University’s Professor Neville Exon and based at ANU.
The IODP is an international marine research program dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of the Earth through drilling, coring and monitoring the subseafloor. Hundreds of scientists from the 24 collaborating countries participate in IODP expeditions to investigate climate change history, geodynamics and solid-earth cycles and the deep biosphere.

The membership will allow local scientists to participate in the ten expeditions scheduled this year, including ocean drilling in the Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Antarctica and a research expedition scheduled to investigate environmental changes in the Great Barrier Reef. Through membership, Australia and New Zealand will gain access to IODP activities including shipboard and post-cruise research, development and leadership of drilling proposals, and participation in planning and advisory committees.

The program operates several state-of-the-art drilling platforms: Chikyu, a riser-equipped vessel provided by Japan, the JOIDES Resolution, a newly refurbished research vessel provided by the United States, and mission-specific drilling platforms managed by ECORD, a 17-member European ocean-drilling research consortium.

More information is at http://www.iodp.org/

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New Centre for Excellence in Aboriginal health

Federal funding of $2.5 million will be provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to establish a Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Aboriginal Health at the University of New South Wales.

The funding will help researchers to determine the incidence of HIV in Indigenous communities and investigate the best ways to identify and treat HIV and other blood borne and sexually transmitted diseases.

The grant, provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), will enable researchers at the newly established Centre for Clinical Research Excellence to work with selected Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

The studies of the Centre will also aim to solve some of the clinical and health service issues that Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services face on a daily basis – which can lead to better health outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Indigenous health service staff will be involved in the research and supported to improve their research skills, ensuring that people who work at grass roots level have the knowledge to contribute to the long term health of their communities.

Six Centres for Clinical Research Excellence have been funded through the NHMRC in 2009.

More information is at www.nhmrc.gov.au

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Announcements

10th Anniversary of the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science: Call for Nominations CLOSING SOON

We are seeking nominations for Australia's most prestigious science and science teaching awards:

• The Prime Minister's Prize for Science ($300,000 + gold medallion)
• The Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000 + silver medallion)
• The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000 + silver medallion)
• The Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools ($50,000 + silver medallion)
• The Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools ($50,000 + silver medallion)

Nominations are open until 5.00 pm AEST, Friday 8 May 2009

Nomination Guidelines and online nominations are available HERE.

Contact: Science Prizes Secretariat, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research on (02) 6276 1264 or email pmprize@innovation.gov.au

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Further Education

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Biomedical Research Management)

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Biomedical Research Management)

Success in biomedical research depends on outstanding research management capabilities. And that's something you can learn!

The Biomedical Research Manager needs to be able to lead, coordinate and manage the activities of experts from all the relevant technical, commercial and clinical disciplines, along with the stakeholders in a project – without losing their focus on the operational activities and strategic objectives. Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Understand and be conversant with the major activities involved in planning biomedical research projects from start to finish
• Understand and be able to develop strategies to manage biomedical research projects
• Understand the nuances, rationales, politics, risks and benefits of dealing with a variety of project stakeholders
• Understand the need to comply with regulatory requirements, the processes to fulfil this and be able to identify potential regulatory and legal pitfalls
• Be able to prepare and operate a budget for biomedical research projects and adapt the budget to changing circumstances
• Understand what is required to develop a project plan for the commercial development of the outcomes of clinical research

Who Should Attend
Designed for professionals involved in biomedical research, this course provides development opportunities for those who wish to advance their career or move into a career in biomedical research management. For organisations it provides the opportunity to provide training that will help meet regulatory requirements, improve investment and risk management and develop staff to increase success rates and maximise economic return. For individuals it provides the opportunity for career development, to acquire the skills and tools to improve personal effectiveness and performance and to increase job satisfaction and success.

Dates
Part 1 - September 7, 8, 9 & 10 2009
Part 2 - October 12, 13, 14 & 16 2009

Cost
$4,200 per person
(GST is added for non award course attendants)

To register contact Elise Strande on (03) 9810 3136 or email e.strande@mccp.unimelb.edu.au.

Further information can also be found on our website.

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Scholarships

PhD Scholarships, Engineering and IT

UTS is offering two PhD scholarships in the area of Engineering and IT.

Scholarships are offered for research in supporting UTS’ current Diversity and Structural Adjustment-funded project, Labshare: National Support for Laboratory Resources Sharing.

Possible PhD project topics range from:

• Technical/Networking (suited to people with a telecommunications, computer systems or software engineering background)
• Pedagogical Topics (suited to people with an engineering background and are interested in teaching and learning issues)
• Consortium/Management Topics (suited to people with an engineering background and are interested in business models)

About the Labshare project:
The Labshare project is a two-year initiative lead by UTS with the aim of having all the universities in the Australian Technology Network (ATN) join together in the construction of a shared, remotely accessible laboratory network. UTS’ existing remote laboratory is the forerunner of a collection of remote laboratories at other universities which will all be interoperable. The aim is to make under-utilised laboratory infrastructure available to students anywhere any time.

Value of scholarship
Two full scholarships valued at $25,000 per year up to three years each (tax free).

Who should apply?
The scholarships are open to Australian/New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. First class honour graduates have a very good chance of securing a scholarship.

How to apply
Email your CV, transcript and a brief proposal to Bridgette.Dang@uts.edu.au.

If you meet the requirements for the scholarship, you will be contacted and asked to complete a Scholarship Application form.

Deadline: 15 May 2009

For more information:
Visit www.eng.uts.edu.au/scholarships/pg.htm or contact:
Bridgette Dang
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Ph: 02 9514 2404
Email: Bridgette.Dang@uts.edu.au

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Positions Vacant

Research Assistant, Cervical Cancer Prevention Trial

Research Assistant, Cervical Cancer Prevention Trial
School of Public Health
The University of Sydney
Reference No. 152921

The University’s School of Public Health is a broad network of individuals, research groups and centres that offer a wide range of educational and research opportunities in public health associated areas of study.

An opportunity currently exists for a hard-working individual with excellent interpersonal skills to coordinate a randomised controlled trial of a web-based tool used in cervical cancer prevention. This position is an ideal opportunity to work within a dynamic research group that is linked with the Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-Based Decision-Making (CeMPED), Sydney Cancer Research Network and the new Cancer Australia Primary Care Clinical Trial Group.

To be successful, it is essential that you possess a relevant degree in a health field and have experience supporting research functions and coordinating trials.

You will require strong organisational and administrative skills, as well as the ability to liaise and work with a range of research participants, academics and other staff. Excellent oral and written communication is essential, as is the ability to perform tasks accurately and reliably.

You must have a demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and solve problems in a complex work environment. Proficiency with statistical analysis, the Microsoft Office suite and database maintenance is also required. A complete or near-complete Postgraduate qualification with strengths in epidemiology is highly advantageous.

For more information regarding the project, please visit: www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=2413

The position is full-time fixed term for two years, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees.

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).

For more information and to apply, please visit http://positions.usyd.edu.au/researchjobs35

Enquiries about the role can be directed to Karen Royle on (02) 9036 7296.

Closing Date: 15 April 2009

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Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Leukaemia Cell Therapies Group
Westmead Institute for Cancer Research
Faculty of Medicine
The University of Sydney
Reference No. 152989

The Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, within the Faculty of Medicine, conducts research into the molecular and cellular basis of human cancer and leukaemia. Cancer research at the Institute extends to breast, ovarian and bowel cancer, as well as melanoma and other skin cancers.

The Institute’s Leukaemia Cell Therapies Group is currently seeking an enthusiastic individual to conduct and assist with laboratory research. This is an excellent opportunity to work under the supervision and guidance of leading senior researchers and make a solid contribution to important leukaemia research.

This position will see you plan and perform laboratory experiments in order to develop adoptive immunotherapy strategies to prevent opportunistic infections in patients with haematological disease, including those undergoing BMT. In addition, you will discuss findings with senior investigators and carry out general laboratory duties including ordering supplies, routine laboratory maintenance and literature searches.    

You will apply your strong written and verbal communication skills as you present research results at meetings and research symposia, and prepare results for presentation at local, national and international meetings. If appointed at the postdoctoral level, you will additionally assist with the preparation of external research grant applications and manuscripts for publication.

Essential for success is a BSc in Biological Science, ideally with Honours, and demonstrated experience working cooperatively in a team-focussed research laboratory. Equally important is experience in the oral and written presentation of scientific results.

To be appointed at the postdoctoral level, you will possess a MSc/PhD in Biological Sciences and solid experience conducting scientific research within a laboratory. Experience in the preparation of manuscripts for publication will be highly regarded.

This position is full-time fixed term for two years, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees.

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

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

Remuneration package Level A: up to $61,925 - $78,289 pro rata (which includes a base salary $52,328 - $66,155 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).

For more information and to apply, please click HERE

Specific enquiries about the role can be directed to Dr Leighton Clancy on (02) 9845 6212.

General enquiries can be directed to Cherie Goodwin on (02) 9036 7107.

Closing Date: 16 April 2009

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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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