From c.tinney at unsw.edu.au Tue Oct 23 08:05:42 2012 From: c.tinney at unsw.edu.au (Chris Tinney) Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:05:42 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Chinese-Australian Collaboration on AST3 Exoplanets, Host-stars and Solar System References: Message-ID: <09BAA12C24AA8E4291B89974D4014A3945054C4A@INFPWXM007.ad.unsw.edu.au> Dear colleagues, At a ceremony in Beijing on the 25th August 2012, Astronomy Australia Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding Antarctic Astronomy with the Division for Basic Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The MoU addresses collaboration between Chinese and Australian astronomers in key areas of mutual scientific interest, using data from the Chinese-led Antarctic Schmidt Telescopes (AST3) project and support observations from Australian facilities. The key science areas identified in the MoU (http://astronomyaustralia.org.au/AChAMoUNews.html) are: ? Supernova physics; ? The discovery and characterisation of solar system objects and exo-planets and their parent stars; ? Stellar structure and evolution; ? The physics of the dynamic extragalactic Universe. Chris Tinney (UNSW) and Zhou Jilin (Nanjing University) have been identified as co-ordinators for the "Exoplanet and Solar System" theme and this email seeks to invite interested parties to join a Chinese-Australian working group in developing a science plan, forming collaborations and carrying out science using AST3 data in these areas. Please see also http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~cgt/cgt/AST3_Exoplanets.html If you are interested, please contact us and let us know how you'd like to get involved. Regards Chris Tinney (c.tinney at unsw.edu.au) Zhou Jilin (zhoujl at nju.edu.cn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof Chris Tinney, Professorial Fellow. (c.tinney at unsw.edu.au) Dept of Astrophysics, UNSW. +61 2 93855168 www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~cgt --------------------------------------------------------------------- From john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au Tue Oct 23 08:44:33 2012 From: john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au (John O'Byrne) Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:44:33 +1100 Subject: [ASA] Science & Technology Australia e-Bulletin In-Reply-To: Message-ID: In this Bulletin: Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) - impact on science and research Defence Trade Control Bill 2011 STA Annual General Meeting and Nominations for Executive Committee Vacancies CEO position Are you an Early or Mid Career Researcher? __________________ 1. The Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) was released on Monday. Science & Technology Australia's response can be downloaded here: http://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/in-the-media/impact-of-myefo-on-science-and-research/ NHMRC and ARC funding has NOT been affected. Some savings measures will effect the Higher Education sector and are anticipated to have an indirect impact on research. Specifically: indexation arrangement for Sustainable Research Excellence has changed. SRE funding in 2013 will remain at the same level as 2012 and will then increase over the subsequent 3 years to a maximum of $300 million in 2016. From 2017, funding will be indexed annually by the Higher Education Indexation Factor. In 2012/13 this represents a $79 million short fall for universities. Facilitation Funding for universities will cease from 1 January 2014 (reducing payments by $270 million over three years from 2013?14). The Government has reduced uncommitted grants funding by $157.5m in 2012-13 but this has not affected ARC and NHMRC grants. The announcement means the temporary grants pause that was put in place has now been lifted. 2. Defence Trade Control Bill 2011 The Defence Trade Control Bill 2011 is currently making its way through the Federal Parliament. To satisfy Australia's defence trade treaty obligations with the USA the Bill expands the existing permit control regime covering trade in goods on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) such that intangible transfers (including the flow of knowledge and information) related to any good on the list are captured. The DSGL includes a wide range of technologies and materials commonly found in research laboratories and used in teaching. The Bill has unintended consequences which impact the research and education sectors. STA has made representations on behalf of its members to the responsible Minister, members of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee who are responsible for reviewing the Bill, the Chief Scientist and Chief Defence Scientist. STA has also been involved in a consultation process lead by the Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, in view of minimising the impact on the research and education sectors. The outcomes of that consultation are outlined in the attached letter from the Chief Scientist to the Senate Committee members. STA supports the agreed way forward outlined in the letter. In going forward, STA will work towards ensuring: the amendments are adopted; the Chief Scientist is strongly encouraged undertake a comprehensive education campaign so that all researchers are aware of their obligations and any unintended consequences are adequately documented and included in the final report that is delivered to the Parliament after the 24month trial period; we are uncompromising in our position that the burden on Australian researchers be no more onerous that the burden on our American or British counterparts; Academic freedom is not compromised 3. STA Annual General Meeting On Friday 19 October I wrote to you to advise that the AGM will take place on Friday 23 November in Canberra. I encourage you to participate and to give consideration to the Executive committee vacancies that arise on this occasion. If you would like to discuss the roles and responsibilities of various Executive positions please feel free to contact me or any of the current executive members. Their contact details can be found here: http://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/about-science-australia/governance-and-board/ 4. STA is looking for a new CEO It does feel a little unusual to be advertising one's own position! However, as you may be aware I have tendered my resignation as CEO of Science & Technology Australia, effective 30 November 2012. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you over the last 3 years. STA is an organisation vital to the science and technology sector and I hope I have been able to make a significant contribution to achieving its objectives. I am confident that STA will continue to grow and evolve and will remain and important, relevant and effective national voice for scientists across the nation. A recruitment process has commenced to find a new CEO. The position description and selection criteria are available on the STA website on both the homepage and in downloadable version at: http://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/about-science-australia/vacancies/ The closing date for applications is COB Monday 5 November 2012. In January 2013 I will commence as General Manager of Questacon ? the National Science & Technology Centre in Canberra. It is an exciting opportunity and one that will allow me to continue to work with many of you and the science and technology sector more broadly. I look forward to continuing to support STA in any way I can in the future. 5. Are you and Early or Mid Career Researcher? If so, you might consider subscribing to the Australian Academy of Science's Early and Mid Career Researcher (EMCR) database and mailing list at www.science.org.au/ecr/ecrlist.html The list is used to disseminate information on funding and training opportunities as well as other relevant information for EMCRs and the Academy?s quarterly newsletter for EMCRS, Early Days. You will also be informed about ways to get involved with Academy and EMCR Forum activities. The list is also a database profiling Australian EMCRS. It outlines who the EMCRs are, and will help you get organised and active to shape the future. _________________________________________________________________ Anna-Maria Arabia Chief Executive Officer Science & Technology Australia Giving voice to Australian Science & Technology for over 27 years www.sta.org.au www.respectthescience.org.au T: 02 6257 2891 M: 0412 940 921 F: 02 6257 2897 PO Box 259 Canberra City ACT 2601 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Chief Scientist report on DTC Bill.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 510081 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 42C53605-ED4C-4B99-B909-58CDD688EE40.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 22827 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au Wed Oct 24 08:29:01 2012 From: john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au (John O'Byrne) Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:29:01 +1100 Subject: [ASA] News from GMTO Message-ID: <878AA964-8866-4F8C-9784-F142A36F79F8@sydney.edu.au> Having trouble viewing this email? click here World's Most Advanced Mirror for Giant Telescope Completed Scientists at the UA and in California have completed the most challenging large astronomical mirror ever made. The mirror will be part of the 25-meter Giant Magellan Telescope, which will explore planets around other stars and the formation of stars, galaxies and black holes in the early universe. More ... Copyright ? 2012, GMTO Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Forward email This email was sent to john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au by info at gmto.org | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe? | Privacy Policy. GMTO | PO Box 90933 | Pasadena | CA | 91109 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mitabrierley at swin.edu.au Sun Oct 28 20:46:48 2012 From: mitabrierley at swin.edu.au (Mita Brierley) Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:46:48 +0000 Subject: [ASA] ASTAC Call for Proposals for Q1-2 2013 Message-ID: *Astronomy Supercomputer Time Allocation Committee: Call for Proposals - NCI, gSTAR/swinSTAR, Epic* Call closes 9am (AEDT) 27th November 2012 Attached is a call for proposals for time (total of 3.2 MSU) on a number of Australian Supercomputer Facilities for Q1-Q2 in 2013. The same information is available on the Astronomy Australia web-site at http://astronomyaustralia.org.au/astac.html We would like to draw your attention to the following key points: 1. The time available to Australian researchers for computational astrophysics on world-class facilities has increased markedly over the last few years. This is a great time to be working in this area. 2. The GPU facility gSTAR, located at Swinburne, offers users an opportunity for very high performance computational power for appropriately written code. 3. The deadline for this current round of proposals is 27 November, 2012 so that there is adequate time to prepare a good proposal. 4. We are particularly keen to encourage graduate students and early career researchers to become involved in this rapidly developing field. Modern computer hardware and software offers the capacity to perform simulations of numerous astrophysical situations at high resolution and in at least three dimensions. Advisers are available to assist people in getting started with their computational projects. ASTAC Geoff Bicknell (Chair, Australian National University), Ben Evans (Associate Director, NCI; ex-officio), Jarrod Hurley (Swinburne Supercomputer Manager; ex-officio), Mark George Beckett (Deputy Director, iVEC; ex-officio), John Lattanzio (Monash University), Geraint Lewis (University of Sydney), Jon Smillie (NCI user consultant), Luke Hodkinson (Swinburne supercomputer user consultant) -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ASTAC Announcement Q1-Q2 2013.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 457579 bytes Desc: ASTAC Announcement Q1-Q2 2013.pdf URL: From john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au Sun Oct 28 22:57:52 2012 From: john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au (John O'Byrne) Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:57:52 +1100 Subject: [ASA] Univ. of Sydney Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Fellow - Astrophotonics (Experimentalist) - readvertised In-Reply-To: <2810_1350842119_q9LHtFBM014187_CAGHVMxKDBT-==zSWFE7TR4ahtCmVpProUHjYpAazpK_L92S7GA@mail.gmail.com> References: <2810_1350842119_q9LHtFBM014187_CAGHVMxKDBT-==zSWFE7TR4ahtCmVpProUHjYpAazpK_L92S7GA@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: JOINT APPOINTMENT: CUDOS ? THE ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR ULTRAHIGH BANDWIDTH DEVICES FOR OPTICAL SYSTEMS SCHOOL OF PHYSICS AND THE AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY REFERENCE NO. 817/0512 CUDOS, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems at the University of Sydney and the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) wish to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Fellow for a joint appointment in the field of astrophotonics. In this relatively new field, you will apply breakthrough innovations in photonic devices to the development of advanced astronomical instrumentation. Examples include the use of directly written photonic waveguide devices to create compact interferometers. You will play a leading role in the astrophotonics research and development collaboration between the AAO and CUDOS. You will use your expertise to develop and characterise new and innovative photonic technologies for the near- and mid-infrared with an objective of achieving an on-telescope technology demonstration. You will divide your time equally between CUDOS and AAO over the period of the appointment. Office space and computing facilities will be available at both institutes. You would be jointly supervised by Dr Jon Lawrence, the Head of Instrument Science at the AAO, and by Professor Benjamin Eggleton, the CUDOS Director. You will have: ? PhD (or near-completion) in astronomy, instrument science, optics, photonics, physics or a similar scientific discipline ? proven research and publication record in photonics, astronomy, astronomical instrumentation or a related discipline ? proven track record of, or be able to demonstrate potential for, expertise and competence in the research, development and commissioning of complex optical and photonic systems ? strong interpersonal and communication skills. Highly desirable will be: experience with developing optical/infrared astronomical instrumentation; expertise in infrared photonics and expertise in optical/infrared waveguides (optical fibres, fibre-based systems, or planar devices). The positions are full-time fixed term for two years 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: $92K-$124K p.a. (which includes a base salary range level A to B of $78K-$105K p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer?s contribution to superannuation). The level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Visa sponsorship and some support towards relocation expenses may be available if required. All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website. http://usyd.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.checkJobDetailsNewApplication&returnToEvent=jobs.processJobSearch&jobid=59485732-718e-3699-271d-6d9bd978b58c&CurATC=EXT&CurBID=949319bc%2D8898%2D4f11%2Dac4b%2D9db401358504&jobsListKey=63e0b92b%2D20a0%2D41a7%2D97cf%2D55a75ebdb872&persistVariables=CurATC,CurBID,jobsListKey&lid=23808550007 To be considered applicants must respond to the online selection criteria. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.The full set of selection criteria can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this advert. Please note that resumes need to include list of publications and contact details of three referees from a range of sources. For specific enquiries please contact Professor Benjamin Eggleton, Director of CUDOS on ben.eggleton at sydney.edu.auGeneral enquiries can be directed to Fabrice No?l on +61 2 8627 1218 orfabrice.noel at sydney.edu.au CLOSING DATE: 13 January 2013 (11:30PM Sydney time) The University is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Applications from equity target groups and women are encouraged as they are under-represented in this field. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOHN O?BYRNE Associate Head (Teaching & Learning) Chair, School Teaching & Learning Committee Secretary, Astronomical Society of Australia Inc. Sydney Institute for Astronomy School of Physics | Faculty of Science THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Rm 222, 44-70 Rosehill St Redfern H90 (see map) | (alternate: Rm 205, Physics Building A28) Postal address: School of Physics | The University of Sydney | NSW | Australia | 2006 T +61 2 9351 3184 | F +61 2 9351 7726 E john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au | W http://sydney.edu.au/science/physics/~obyrne CRICOS 00026A This email plus any attachments to it are confidential. Any unauthorised use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please delete it and any attachments. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email uses 100% recycled words and ideas. 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