Dear {Contact_First_Name},

The newly released film Oppenheimer is certainly generating much interest! Clearly it highlights the efforts of physicists and other scientists in the realisation of "the bomb".  But what of the role of Australian Mark Oliphant – one of the founding members of the AIP? Oliphant brought to the US the knowledge that a nuclear bomb was viable.

We have just seen the release of the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report. While the report made a number of welcome proposals, it failed to recommend the visionary step change that is needed for the long-term health of Australia’s research sector. We hope that the final report will go further. Read the AIP’s response to the report.

I was saddened this week to hear of the passing of Emeritus Professor James (Jim) Piper AM. Jim was a Fellow of the AIP and the winner of our first Boas Medal. We remember him as a true pioneer of laser physics in Australia, and for a remarkable 38 years at Macquarie University.

It’s been great to see the positive reception to Dr Karen Livesey’s 2023 Women in Physics Tour so far, in Perth and Melbourne. Her lectures about the development and applications of nano-magnets continue next month in SA, NSW, ACT and TAS – look out for an event near you!

Finally, we are on the lookout for new members to join AIP’s Accreditation Committee, to help to support Australian universities in providing high-quality physics education. It’s also a great chance to engage with different universities around Australia. If you are interested, please see details below.

Best wishes,

Nicole Bell
President, Australian Institute of Physics
president@aip.org.au
 
 

Join AIP’s Accreditation Committee

Would you like to join the AIP Accreditation Committee?

The committee helps accredit Australian Bachelor degrees with a physics major, helping support Australian universities in providing high-quality physics education.

If you are interested, please send your nomination to the Accreditation Manager, Professor McIntyre, t.mcintyre@uq.edu.au.

Read more about the accreditation program.
 

Credit: Jingbo Wang.

Nano-magnets attract and inspire

Dr. Karen Livesey has kicked off the Women in Physics Tour with record audiences in Perth and Melbourne with her talks on nano-magnets.

Next stops are: Adelaide, Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney, Launceston and Hobart in September.

Read more.
 

Credit: Macquarie University.

Vale Emeritus Professor James (Jim) Piper AM FAIP

With great sadness we recognise the passing of Emeritus Professor James (Jim) Piper AM on 20 July (b. 1947).

A true pioneer of laser physics in Australia, Professor Piper served at Macquarie University for a remarkable 38 years, including 10 years as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) from 2003 to 2013. 

Jim was a Fellow of the AIP (FAIP) and was the first winner of the AIP’s Boas Medal.

Read more.
 

News and opportunities

2023 ANZCOP-AIP Summer meeting: Submit your abstracts. Read more.

Photography competition: Have you captured a moment that showcases the beauty of physics? Submit your photo to the AIP ACT Branch and potentially win cash prizes. Read more.

Year 12 physics articles or essays: In the final issue of 2023, Australian Physics Magazine will publish one engaging article that demonstrates excellent critical thinking and research skills. Contact the editors editors@aip.org.au. Submissions close Friday 15 September.

Looking for women physicists and engineers to share career journey and tips with girls in Years 10 to 12 over breakfast in Geelong, Wodonga, Traralgon, Ballarat and Bendigo. The Girls in Physics Breakfast program is organised by Vicphysics Teachers’ Network and AIP. Read more.

The ‘Dark Matters’ art exhibition developed by Science Gallery Melbourne, Arts at CERN and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics, is opening 5 August in Melbourne. Read more.

John Tyndall Award: nominate an exceptional individual working in optical fiber technology. The award is jointly presented by Optica and the IEEE Photonics Society. Nominate by 10 Aug. Read more

Looking to re-train as a teacher of physics, mathematics, engineering studies or industrial technology – metal and/or timber? Apply for the NSW Government Teach and Learn Scholarship (High Demand Subject Areas) and be financially supported while you study. Read more

2024 IUPAP Early Career Scientist Prize in Mathematical Physics is now open. It recognises exceptional achievements in mathematical physics up to eight years post PhD (excluding career interruptions). Nominate by 30 September. Read more.

NSW Community Outreach to Physics Award 2023 is awarded to an individual that conducts activities to engage our community and contribute to public engagement within physics. Apply by 7 October. Read more.

Exploring dark matter detection across interdisciplinary frontiers, with Jayden Newstead (Melbourne): Tour through the realms of particle, nuclear, atomic, and astrophysics, surveying the rich interdisciplinary research that propels our search for dark matter.  Watch now on AIP’s Youtube channel.

                 

                Laws of physics to law firm

                #PhysicsGotMeHere.

                As a patent attorney, Boris Golja says his physics training has helped him to “understand the nature of inventions in the more specialised fields, for example, telecommunications, spectrometry and laser technology.”

                Read more about Boris’s journey from studying physics at UWA to co-owner of a patent and trademark attorney firm.

                Do you know someone with training in #physics who has followed an interesting career path outside of academia? We would love to profile them for our #PhysicsGotMeHere career profiles, which explore all the places your physics training can take you. Get in touch.
                 

                Upcoming events

                Girls in Physics Breakfasts | Multiple locations in Vic | 2 Aug to 1 Sep

                Public Lecture: Dark Matter in the Sky and on the Earth | Adelaide | 9 Aug

                Lasers: Making Light Work | North Ryde| 21 Aug

                Exploding stars, wombat poos and the zombie apocalypse: Physics in the Pub | Sydney | 25 Aug

                26th Congress and General Assembly of the International Union of Crystallography | Melbourne | 22-29 Aug

                International Conference of Physics Students 2023 | Philippines | 7-13 Sep

                RACI/AIP Annual Presidents’ Dinner | Concord | 6 Oct (Note: change of date. Was 4 Aug)

                9th Symposium on Frequency Standards and Metrology | Kingscliff, NSW | 16-20 Oct

                Australasian Radiation Protection Society Conference | Gold Coast | 29 Oct to 2 Nov

                6th International Conference on Quantum Error Correction | Sydney | 30 Oct to 3 Nov

                International Conference on Quantum Energy | Melbourne | 4-6 Dec

                ANZCOP–AIP Summer meeting | Canberra | 4-8 Dec

                46th Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Meeting | Wagga Wagga | (Save the date) 6-9 Feb 2024.

                Are you running an event? Email the details to your branch chair or events@aip.org.au so it can be posted on the AIP website. Some of the events are profiled in our monthly newsletter and shared through the AIP social media accounts.
                   

                  Australian physics in the news

                  Americans had shelved the A-bomb until an Australian broke ranks (The Sydney Morning Herald)

                  Pioneering particles, time-travelling molecules and outer space poets (ABC RN)

                  Modest increase in women's participation in STEM but more to do (Industry Department)

                  ANSTO scientists would have preferred more about the physics but impressed with Oppenheimer (ANSTO)

                  Arts at CERN collaborates with Science Gallery Melbourne and the ARC Centre for the exhibition “Dark Matters” (CERN)

                  Out of this world opportunity tracking 'near Earth' asteroids in space (UWA)

                  Astronomers find new type of stellar object that challenges understanding of neutron star physics (PhysOrg)

                  Taking skills to the next degree (Department of Defence)

                  Australia's Quantum Computing space just got $50 million richer (SmartCompany)

                  Will AI make MC the MVP of particle physics? (Symmetry)
                                   

                                  Jobs corner

                                  Professor / Director – ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics (CGA). The ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics is seeking an inspirational scientific leader in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, who can grow ANU’s leadership in gravitational wave astronomy. As Director, you’ll play a significant part in shaping the future of the Centre. Apply by 15 August. Details at: aip.org.au/Jobs

                                  Product Manager (Surface Science) – Scitek Australia Pty Ltd. Represent and manage premium international brands within the electron microscopy and surface science industry. Details at: aip.org.au/Jobs

                                  Are you looking for a new career opportunity? See our Jobs Links section (best viewed on desktop) for a list of selected physics-related jobs now open including: Research Fellow, Space Engineering; Qualified/Nearly Qualified Patent Attorney; Graduate Fire Engineer; Research Physicist – Geochemical and Geophysical Analysis; and many more.

                                  Each year, Physics World publishes Physics World Careers, a guide aimed at helping those with a physics background make informed decisions about their career path. Download a copy of Physics World Careers 2023.

                                  We can provide a free link to your physics-related job or PhD opportunity. If you would like to advertise your job, we can feature more details and a picture for a small cost. Email Michael Schmidt for more information.

                                  Need help? Contact aip@aip.org.au.

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