Director's Message

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you enjoyed the wonderful weather this weekend, a nice way to end the two week break. Last week I had the pleasure to attend a celebration of Dr Robert Ward’s contributions over the past decade with DQS/CGA. Credited as “the student who made LIGO work”, Robert came to ANU bringing a deep understanding of measurement theory and was a key contributor to many of the visionary projects out of this group. Never afraid to think on a grand scale his Breakthrough Starshot project proposes a ground-based laser array to accelerate a gram-scale spacecraft through photon radiation pressure, requiring of order 100 GW of continuous wave optical power. The teams recent concept paper illustrates the huge benefit in thinking at scale, for me this work encapsulates the opportunities Physics can lead when dare to dream. I would like to wish Robert all the best in his new career and thank him personally for leading the development of the MSc(Precision Instrumentation and Measurement). Above, Dr Bram Slagmolen, presents a commemorative gift to Robert (image: Chathura Bandutunga).

Also from the Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics, it is my pleasure to congratulate Professors Susan Scott and David McClelland on their promotions to the level of Distinguished Professor (E3).  Awarded by the Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professorship is reserved for those who achieve the outstanding National and International recognition in the name of the University.

On Thursday the current and incoming Heads of Department will be meeting to discuss the processes around creating the new departments. If you have items you would like them to bring up to the meeting please let your Head know by Wednesday afternoon.

Have a good week.
Tim

The Schmidt Science Fellows program provides the world’s best emerging scientists with new skills and perspectives to develop novel solutions to society’s challenges, become scientific and societal thought leaders, and accelerate ground-breaking discoveries.

The Schmidt Science fellows program offers:
- The option of a 12–24-month research placement.
- A stipend of US$100,000 per year for a total of up to $200,000.        
- A 12–24-month postdoctoral placement in a world leading laboratory.
- A Global Meeting Series across five weeks.
- Personalised mentoring program

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ANU Oral Exam Forum

ANU has been conducting an oral exam pilot to explore new ways of examining PhD candidates. The pilot has been running since August 2020 and so far, 5 candidates have completed an oral exam at ANU. 

When the oral exams pilot was first announced, the idea was controversial. We want to keep the pilot process as transparent as possible. This forum is a chance to hear about real candidates’ experience being examined this way - and get the perspective from Oral examination chairs about the way these exams were conducted. 

This forum will be a chance for you to ask questions and have input into the final report to the Higher Degrees by Research Committee. Anyone involved in the HDR endeavour at ANU - candidates, supervisors and administrators - are welcome. Please come along and have a say in the future of the ANU PhD.

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A research paper by the Physics of Fluids group has been published in Science Advances. This paper reports a remarkable behaviour of fast-spinning objects on the surface of water. The new effect opens numerous possibilities to create self-propelling water surface vehicles capable of self-navigating themselves along boundaries of any shape. 

Rolling spinners on the water surface, JB Gorce, K.Y. Bliokh, H. Xia, N. Francois, H. Punzmann and M. Shats. Rolling spinners on the water surface, Science Advances 7, eabd4632 (2021)

Army Quantum Technology Roadmap

Army will launch its Quantum Technology Roadmap on Tuesday, 20th April. Be sure to register to receive the roadmap and a video of the event. Speakers include senior leaders of Army, Australia’s Chief Scientist and the Chief Defence Scientist.

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Australia-US International Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (AUSMURI) 2021

AUSMURI operates in conjunction with the United States Department of Defense’s Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI). It encourages partnerships between Australian and US-based institutions. If an Australian university is part of a successful submission to the US MURI for a research project on the designated topic, it can then apply for AUSMURI funding for that project. The AUSMURI program will provide 100% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of AUD$1 million per year over 3 years. Projects may be extended for a further 2 years, subject to approval, with additional funding of AUD$1 million per year.

The designated topic for AUSMURI Round 5 is: Bio-architected Responsive Materials with 3D Nanoscale Order (Topic 9)

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The Australian Science Policy Fellowship program is continuing, after its successful three year pilot program. The program gives early- and mid-career scientists the opportunity to work in a Commonwealth Government department for 12 months.

The program hopes to attract diverse, highly-skilled and enthusiastic scientists into the Australian Public Service.

Applications will be open from April 7 to April 26.

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ANU Researcher Development coordinates and facilitates workshops, events, and competitions to develop your skills even further. 

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National Library of Australia 2022 Fellowships

Apply for a National Library Fellowship
The National Library has diverse collections that support, inspire and transform research. Fellowships enable scholars, writers and researchers to conduct intensive research into our collections in a supportive, intellectual and creative environment.

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RSPhys Stores

Stores will be closed Friday 23rd April from lunch.

If you require anything urgently on Friday afternoon please see James Irwin.

Building and Room Security Access

Please note that the school now has a general access restriction of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.  

If you need to complete a new after-hours risk assessment, please see the new top section here: https://physics.anu.edu.au/intra/whs/

EVENTS

Departmental seminars

Mr Murdock Grewar - 19 April
Quadratic form minimisation in X-ray transmission tomography
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School Colloquium - 22 April

Strong Coulomb interactions in silicon quantum dot qubits - Professor Susan Coppersmith

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TMOS Colloquium - 23 April

Shaping the Future of Biomedical Imaging - Professor Kishan Dholakia

» read more

NHMRC schemes opening in 2021 (Q1)

The College of Science Research Office (CRO) is now inviting notices of intent (NoI) to submit applications for the following schemes opening in 2021.

From Last Week

Australian Academy of Science Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award