News Alerts

Land & Water Australia abolished

The Federal Government’s R&D Corporation, Land & Water Australia, is to be abolished from 30 June this year following the withdrawal of its $13 million annual funding in this year's Budget.

Chair of Land and Water Australia, Bobby Brazil, said she was disappointed with the decision. She said that the organisation has leveraged an additional $20 - $30 million dollars annually for research in the areas of climate change, water management and agricultural sustainability.

Ms Brazil said it had been suggested that the new government program, Caring for Our Country, would fill the gap left by Land & Water Australia.

"However, Caring for Our Country focuses on remediation or work on the ground; it operates on the assumption that the research has been done, we know what to do, we just need incentives and grants to make it happen," she said.

She said a recent Productivity Commission report identified Land & Water Australia’s portfolio of public good research as an area where there are "strong grounds for large public subsidies [to] remain, because that research is unlikely to take place in their absence."

Abolition of Land & Water Australia will involve the cancellation of a large number of contracts with university-based and other researchers across Australia, closing down many partly completed research projects.

LWA has been funding research through 11 current programs:

• Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries
• Defeating the Weed Menace
• Environmental Water Allocation
• Innovation
• Joint Venture Agroforesty Programme
• Knowledge for Regional Natural Resource Management
• Managing Climate Variability
• National Program for Sustainable Irrigation
• Native Vegetation and Biodiversity
• Social and Institutional Research
• Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) and Australias Tropical Rivers

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IT Innovation Council Announced

A new Information Technology Industry Innovation Council will be established to support the IT industry and advise the Federal Government on innovation issues.

The council will be chaired by John Grant, Managing Director, Data#3 Pty Ltd, and will comprise a membership to be appointed from business, unions and government.

The IT Industry Innovation Council is the fourth Innovation Council established under the Labor government since December last year. It will meet for the first time before the end of June.

Other Innovation Councils are:

• the Built Environment Industry Innovation Council, which has met twice and held a stakeholder’s forum in Canberra last month;
• the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council, which has met twice; and
• the Automotive Industry Innovation Council, which held its inaugural meeting in January and will meet again this month.

More information is at www.innovation.gov.au

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Funding for learned acadamies’ projects

The Federal Government has provided f funding of $465 000 over two years for four learned academies under the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects scheme.

The funding, which goes to the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, Australian Academy of Science, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and The Australian Academy of the Humanities, will support four research programs in fields linked to the National Research Priorities.

They are:

• Reconceptualizing human security: its uses and limitations for developing Australian foreign policy? Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, $120,000
• The humanities in Australian life since 1968, Australian Academy of the Humanities, $105,000
• Investing in the future of physics, Australian Academy of Science, Prof. M Simmons, $120,000 
• Analysis of strategies to accelerate the deployment of low emissions technologies for electric power generation in response to climate change, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Dr J Burgess, $120,000.

Further information is at http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lasp/lasp_default.htm

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Major cancer centre for Melbourne

Melbourne’s Parkville will be the home of a major cancer centre of research and treatment, under a plan to create one of the top ten cancer centres of the world, announced with this year’s state budget by the Victorian Premier, John Brumby.

The $1 billion centre, to be called the Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre, will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, contributing $852.2 million, with the remainder to be funded from the sale of surplus land, the private sector and philanthropic donations.

Built on the former dental hospital site in the Parkville precinct, the new centre will bring cancer research and treatment institutes - the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre; the Ludwig Institute for cancer Research, Melbourne Health which includes the Royal Melbourne Hospital; the University of Melbourne; the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the Royal Women’s Hospital - under one roof.

There will be more than 30,000 square-metres of research space capable of accommodating up to 1400 researchers and a clinical trials facility with 24 treatment places, and 194 in-patient beds, 110 same-day treatment places and eight medi-hotel beds. The facility will also include educational and training facilities, an outpatient clinic and six radiation therapy bunkers.

Demolition works on the site will commence in June with construction of the comprehensive cancer centre to begin in the first half of 2011. The centre is expected to be completed in by 2015.

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Synchrotron’s Imaging and Medical facility to be upgraded

The new Imaging and Medical facility at the Australian Synchrotron at Clayton in Victoria is undergoing a major upgrade with a $13. W million grant from the NHMRC and $1.5 million from the Victorian Government towards the building extension that will house the equipment.

The facility will be used for facility for high resolution imaging of tissue, including the identification of tumours. Ultimately, researchers aim to use the facility for single cell imaging and tracking to investigate the biochemical and biomedical processes involved in cancer development and many other diseases.

The upgrade will enable biomedical imaging of human tissue that allows scientists to see the early signs of cancer tumour formation. Scientists from Monash University will use the beamline for microbeam radiotherapy (MRT) which allows cancer radiation treatment to be more accurately targeted to prevent damage to healthy cells surrounding a tumour.

Among the projects planned for the facility are:

• High resolution imaging of cells and tissues, from detailed examinations of tumours to the fine structural details of lungs;
• Tracking studies to follow the movements of cells labelled with small marker particles through tissues and organs in real time;
• Research in the interaction of radiation with cancer and healthy cells to improve the prescription of radiotherapy treatments.

More information is at www.synchrotron.org.au

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Announcements

Call for proposals Round Seven 2009 - French Australian Science and Technology (FAST) Program

Overview
The Australian Government in conjunction with the Government of the Republic of France has established the French-Australian Science & Technology (FAST) Program. The Program is jointly managed by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research (Department of Innovation) and its French counterparts, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE).

The objective of FAST is to promote and support scientific and technological cooperation between Australian and French researchers from public and private institutions or enterprises.

Support Available
Under the FAST program, Australia will contribute a total of up to $A 250,000 per round and France up to 150,000 € per round.

FAST will provide financial assistance, on a competitive basis, for collaborative research projects (including project specific follow-up meetings) between Australian and French researchers. Eligible activities for funding support are international travel and living expenses only. Accordingly, funding does not extend to insurance, salaries or equipment expenses. Individual applications may request funding for up to 2 years.

Under the FAST program Round Seven, applications will be considered for research collaboration in the areas of space sciences and astronomy, Materials and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). Projects which include an environmental science component will be encouraged and assessed on merit along with all applications.

Australian beneficiaries:
Support for successful Australian applicants will be provided by the Department of Innovation to the coordinating Australian organisation.

French beneficiaries:
Support for successful French applicants will be provided by MAEE in France, through the agency EGIDE.

How to Apply
Applications must be for funding for collaboration between Australian and French partners. Each partner must submit an application to their respective Government (Department of Innovation for the Australian applicants, EGIDE for the French). The Round Seven call for proposals round will open on:

Australian applicants should refer to the FAST guidelines, available at
https://grants.innovation.gov.au/ISL/Pages/Guidelines.aspx, before commencing their application.

French applicants should refer to the EGIDE website:
http://www.egide.asso.fr/jahia/Jahia/lang/en/accueil/appels/phc

Information
If you require more information please direct all specific questions by email to:
Australia – Ms Suzanne Milthorpe, email: isl@innovation.gov.au
France – Mrs Anne Bentley email: science@ambafrance-au.org

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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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Conferences & Events

Pathfinders: The Innovator’s Conference

Federal Budget, global financial crisis thrashed out at conference

How will the Federal Budget affect innovation and education? And how can investment in R&D proof companies and governments against global financial downturns?

These are among questions to be considered at the Pathfinders: The Innovator’s Conference, which gets under way at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on May 26.

Innovation, Industry Science and Research Minister Senator Kim Carr will be among speakers at the meeting, which will come just two weeks after a Federal Budget that will be tight as the global financial crisis deepens.

Scientists, politicians, senior government officials and business leaders who have registered for the three-day conference will also discuss how the budget reflects recommendations of the review of the national innovation system, conducted last year.
Among other speakers, the new CSIRO chief executive officer Dr Megan Clark will reveal the premier science agency’s strategy to help transform key segments of the Australian manufacturing sector. And the new Chief Scientist, Professor Penny Sackett, will cover R&D collaboration. Chris Richardson, of Access Economics, is also among the line-up of speakers.

The prestigious Awards for Excellence in Innovation will be presented at a dinner in the Great Hall at Parliament House on Tuesday, May 26. Earlier on Tuesday, eight young scientists working in fields ranging from biosecurity to health, will present their research findings.

And on Wednesday, May 27, ambassadors, high ranking diplomats, scientists, business leaders and financiers, and senior public servants will gather at the International Collaboration Expo, a reception designed to stimulate national and international collaboration.

This year’s conference, organised by the CRC Association, will be held in conjunction with the Australian Science Festival.

See the program and register at http://www.crca.asn.au/conference/

Michael Hartmann
Chief Executive Officer
CRC Association

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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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Future Models for Energy and Water Management under a Regulated Environment

AMSI / MASCOS / UNESCO / AWA Workshop and Short Course: Future Models for Energy and Water Management under a Regulated Environment
20-22 July 2009, Brisbane

Energy and water are the essential elements that underpin modern society. Guaranteeing continuity and quality of supply requires ingenuity and robust planning, mathematical and statistical models will increasingly be used to examine options.

The program will bring together experts on energy and water management from around the world. The event will highlight the connection between electricity and water supply, demand and markets to help you better evaluate your options and enable you to identify: the models available, who is using them, how to use them and their underlying assumptions.

Short-courses:

• Shahbaz Khan (UNESCO, Paris)
• Elliot Tonkes (Energy Edge)
• Graham Weir (IRL, NZ)

Keynote lectures:

• Ian Rose (ROAM Consulting)
• Michael O’Sullivan (University of Auckland)
• David Swift (ESIPC, SA)
• Mukand S. Babel (Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand)
• Jacques Ganoulis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece)

Areas of interest include: pricing and network management; risks around the water-energy-climate nexus; economic implications, wind and geothermal energy (renewables), demand forecasting and integrated water resource management.

Discount registration for AWA members.

For full program and further details or to register see: http://www.amsi.org.au/energy.php

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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

Senior Research Fellow and Research Fellow (2 positions)

Senior Research Fellow and Research Fellow (2 positions)
Health Informatics Research & Evaluation Unit
Faculty of Health Sciences
The University of Sydney
Reference No. 153479

The Health Informatics Research & Evaluation Unit, in the Faculty of Health Sciences, invites applications for the position of Senior Research Fellow/Research Fellow.

The Health Informatics Research & Evaluation Unit (HIREU) was established in 2006 with a mission to provide an evidence-base regarding the effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the health sector. Such research requires a multi-method, multi-disciplinary approach which spans quantitative measurement of changes in health outcomes associated with ICT use, to understanding organisational cultural and work practice changes. Research methods applied are diverse with direct and video observational studies, social network analyses, measurement of error rates, work and communication patterns, and organisational cost and performance indicators.

The HIREU is seeking two experienced researchers to work on an ARC-funded Linkage project in partnership with Sydney South West Area Health Service. The aim of the project is to develop and test new models for using ICT to support work practice innovation which produce measurable improvements in the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the health system. The project will focus upon i) computerised ordering systems, ii) ambulatory electronic medical record systems and iii) emergency medicine information systems; alongside the work practices associated with these systems.

A range of sub-studies will be undertaken to investigate, measure and analyse the role of ICT in supporting work practice innovation; to determine factors which enable or inhibit ICT-supported work innovation and to measure its impact on organisational productivity, effectiveness, efficiency and cost; and to then apply these findings to develop and test new models for the use of ICT to support innovative work practice change in the health sector.

The successful applicant/s will be required to have a PhD in a health-related discipline, such as health services research, public health, health informatics, psychology, health economics, epidemiology or other relevant discipline. To be appointed as an SRF the applicant must have senior research management experience, a demonstrable track record in peer reviewed publications, experience in research supervision and a capacity to attract research funding.

The positions are full-time fixed term for three years, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees. There is the possibility of further offers of employment subject to funding and need.

Relevant criminal history, apprehended violence orders and prior employment checks, including relevant disciplinary proceedings, will be conducted on the preferred applicant.

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

Remuneration package Level B: $88,465 - $105,052 p.a. (which includes a base salary $74,755 - $88,771 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).

Remuneration package Level C: $108,368 - $124,843 p.a. (which includes a base salary $91,573 - $105,589 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 and search by reference number 153479.

Specific enquiries about the role can be directed to Professor Johanna Westbrook via email: J.Westbrook@usyd.edu.au General enquiries can be directed to Julie Small on (02) 9036 7870.
Closing Date: 17 May 2009

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Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cardiac Physiology

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cardiac Physiology
Discipline of Physiology
Faculty of Medicine
Reference No. 153579

The Discipline of Physiology, within the University’s School of Medical Sciences has a fine tradition of research in physiology and has been highly successful in attracting external funding. The Discipline aims to discover the origins of human diseases by furthering knowledge in the fields of biology and medicine, especially as they relate to the nervous system, cardiovascular system and muscular systems.

The Discipline seeks to appoint a Postgraduate Research Associate to support a cardiac physiology research project funded by NH&MRC that will determine the role of intracellular calcium and TRPC channels in cardiac pacemaker function. Specifically, this research project will investigate the underlying mechanisms of sinoatrial node dysfunction in the ageing mammalian heart. This research will potentially discover new therapeutic strategies for reducing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias in the elderly. This is an outstanding opportunity for you to develop a stimulating research career within an internationally-recognised research laboratory.

To be successful, you will possess a relevant PhD or be in a position where one will soon be awarded. Experience either with cardiac physiology or cell biology research is essential. Candidates should have a proven track-record in studying ionic channels, or have experience of using molecular strategies to alter cell function. Experience in the isolation of single cardiac cells, or transfection of siRNA into primary cells and cell lines will be highly desirable.

The position is full-time fixed term for 24 months, subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees. There is the possibility of further offers of employment, subject to funding.

Remuneration package: up to $78,289 - $84,037 pro rata (which includes a base salary Level A $66,155 - $71,012 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 and search by Reference Number 153579.

Specific enquiries about the role can be directed to Prof. David Allen on 61-2-93514602 email: davida@physiol.usyd.edu.au or Dr Yue-Kun Ju on 61-2- 9351 4526 e-mail: ju@physiol.usyd.edu.au

General enquiries can be directed to Cherie Goodwin on 61-2- 9036 7107.

Closing Date: 20 May 2009

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