Dear {Contact_First_Name},

Earlier this year, the AIP called for a boost to Australia’s nuclear physics skills, so it was welcome news to see that the Federal Government has committed $150 million in the Budget to support skill development for the AUKUS nuclear powered submarine program. Most of this funding is directed at an additional 4,000 university places in STEM disciplines, including physics, chemistry and maths.

There is clearly a need for public education about the role of nuclear physics in our lives. Beyond AUKUS and defence, nuclear physics has applications in medicine, mining, environmental monitoring, sustainable fishing, and more. Education to enable the Australian public to understand what nuclear physics is about – to move beyond the baggage that sometimes comes with the word 'nuclear' – would be a positive step.

This month we give thanks to Associate Professor Kirrily Rule, who has stepped down as the AIP National Honorary Secretary after six years in the role. Her generous and enthusiastic contributions to the AIP have extended well beyond the secretary activities, most notably in her role on the ‘Zoomers’ panel for the Zoom into Physics events that we enjoyed throughout 2021-2022; connecting the physics community at a time when in-person events weren’t possible.

We’re excited to welcome Dr Michael Schmidt as the new AIP Secretary. You can get to know Michael below. If you are interested in getting involved in AIP leadership, please get in touch. We have a number of opportunities coming up to join the national AIP executive team.

Stop-press! OzGrav Director Matthew Bailes has just been awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize for the discovery of fast radio bursts. Congratulations, Matthew!

Best wishes,

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

Women in Physics Lecturer tour kicks off in Perth, 28 June

‘Magnetic Nanoparticles for the 21st Century’ is this year's topic for our 2023 Women in Physics Lecture Tour, which kicks off at Curtin University on 28 June.

Dr Karen Livesey from the University of Newcastle is looking to improve our understanding of the characteristics of nano-sized magnets, to unlock their potential to address a range of biomedical and technological challenges. Read more.

See all tour dates.
 

Our new AIP secretary

Meet the AIP’s new Honorary Secretary, Dr Michael Schmidt, theoretical particle physicist at UNSW.

“As secretary, I look forward to enhancing member engagement…and of course, to ensure the effective functioning of the AIP so it can keep being a strong voice for the Australian physics community,” he says. Read more.
 

Submit your abstract for ANZCOP-AIP Summer meeting

You can now submit your abstracts and focus sessions to be part of the 2023 ANZCOP-AIP Summer meeting.

Focus sessions showcase emerging physics research topics of significant interest to the Australian physics community. This could be a specific emerging field or could incorporate multiple fields under a theme. Contact anzcop.aip@gmail.com for info about focus sessions. Read more.
 

Subscribe your organisation to   Australian Physics

Would you like your university, institution or library to receive our Australian Physics magazine?

Organisations can now subscribe to receive our quarterly magazine on Australian physics research, education, industry and community. Read more.
 

News and opportunities

Australian astronomer, Professor Matthew Bailes, has been awarded the Shaw Prize – a precursor to the Nobel Prize – for the discovery of fast radio bursts. Matthew, who is director of the Centre of Excellence in Gravitational Wave Discovery at Swinburne University, was named a joint winner along with two other scientists who worked on the discovery. They share in the $US1.2 million ($1.84 million) prize. Read more.

For emerging leaders in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital economy, energy and clean technology, quantum, or space: nominate for the 2023 AmCham Alliance Awards. The awards recognise the next generation of Australian and American pioneers on these six technological frontiers, who are creating economic prosperity and building people-to-people engagement. Nominations close 19 June. Read more.

Could you creatively present an aspect of physics in eight minutes, such as through comedy, a quiz, music or demonstrations? Be a part of NSW AIP Physics in the Pub with host Dr Phil Dooley from Phil Up On Science. Apply by 30 June. Download the information and nomination form.

Early-career researchers can now nominate for the 2024 IUPAP Early Career Scientist Prize in Mathematical Physics. The prize 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: awarded to individuals that conduct activities that engage our community and contribute to public engagement within physics. Apply by 7 October. Read more.

The Australian Government package for AUKUS skills and training will see $128.5 million over four years to fund an additional 4,000 university places. These places will be targeted at STEM disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics and more. Read more.

Congratulations to Prof Michael Fuhrer from Monash University and ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies on being elected as a 2023 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science for significant contributions to electronic materials research. Read more.

Science and Technology Australia want to hear about your career trajectory in STEM: the opportunities and challenges you have faced. Complete the survey, which takes around 10 min, and you’ll be in the draw for a $500 voucher. Read more.
                 

                Latin, lasers and livestock: AIP Lifetime Fellow

                #PhysicsGotMeHere

                A career in laser research and chemistry continues in retirement, as Emeritus Professor Brian Orr turns his attention to laser-based techniques to remotely measure methane emissions from grazing livestock.

                We are celebrating the careers and achievements of some of our lifetime AIP Fellows. Read more.

                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

                Einstein-First and Quantum Girls National Launch | Canberra | 13 June

                The Invisible Revealed | Lucas Heights & online | 20 June

                Magnetic Nanoparticles for the 21st Century | Perth | 28 Jun

                STATPHYS28 | Tokyo | 7-11 Aug

                NSW AIP 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

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

                Australasian Radiation Protection Society Conference 2023| 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

                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

                  Australian astronomer wins prestigious Shaw Prize (The Age)

                  Iver Cairns (FAIP) recognised as Scientist of the Year at the Australian Space Awards (University of Sydney)

                  Cancer treatment device receives $700k commercialisation grant (University of Wollongong)

                  The nuclear scientist planning life on other planets (Australian National University)

                  AUKUS submarines pose the biggest training and workforce challenge Australia has ever faced | Professor Brian Schmidt (News.com)

                  Australia’s first quantum strategy predicts $6 billion in revenue and nearly 20,000 jobs (SmartCompany)

                  Australia aimed for, and got, more STEM graduates. So where are the jobs for them? (The Guardian)

                  Green Gravity lab in Port Kembla aims to produce renewable energy using weights, old mine shafts (ABC News)

                  Australian PhD Students heading to NASA (ABC radio Sydney)
                                   

                                  Jobs corner

                                  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: Director, Australian Synchrotron; Program Manager - STEM Professionals in Schools; Graduate Data Scientist; Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Physics; Physics Teacher; 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 2022.

                                  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.

                                  Contact us
                                   

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