Dear {Contact_First_Name},

Welcome to the first AIP newsletter since our AGM, held in February, when the 2023 AIP executive committee took office.

I’m Nicole Bell, President of the AIP and Professor of Physics at the University of Melbourne, where I work on dark matter, neutrinos, and other areas of particle and astroparticle physics.

I’d like to thank our outgoing president, Sven Rogge, for his outstanding leadership of the AIP over the past two years, and his commitment to ensuring the AIP is an organisation which serves physicists working in all areas, from research to industry and beyond.

February marked a special occasion for the AIP: our 60th anniversary. Over the past 60 years, the AIP has been a cornerstone of Australian physics: connecting us, and providing a voice for our physics community.

This past 60 years was made possible by the time and energy devoted by many volunteers, who serve on our topical groups and state branch committees, contribute to the Australian Physics magazine, run the conferences that bring us together, or organise outreach events. Thank you to each of our volunteers. Without you, the AIP would not exist.

Recently, I have been talking about the urgent need to encourage more women and girls into physics and STEM on SBS News and ABC Radio Melbourne.

Later this month I will have the honour of representing the AIP at Science Meets Parliament. This will enable the AIP to continue the important task of advocating on behalf on the physics community to government and policy makers – an activity which is firmly on the AIP agenda for the year ahead.

Best wishes,

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

 
 

60 years of strengthening physics in Australia

For 60 years the AIP has been a staunch advocate of physics in Australia, responding to governmental issues or other pressing national concerns.

We’ve recently commented on changes to the school science syllabus, advocated for the independence of the ARC at a Senate inquiry and contributed to the review the Australian Research Council Act.

The AIP celebrated 60 years on 21 February 2023.

Read more

 

Welcome to our new volunteers

We are so grateful for every one of our volunteers, who dedicate their time, energy and effort to better the AIP. Without them we wouldn’t exist!

Meet our new 2023 Committee Members for the AIP Executive, Branches and Topical Groups. Read more

Would you like to volunteer with us? It’s a great way to expand your own network, learn new skills, and broaden your professional experience. We offer training and support in a variety of roles.

Email aip@aip.org.au for info.

 

Could you be the AIP’s next Secretary?

If you’re a great organiser and would like to increase your visibility and expand your network in physics, consider taking on the role of National Honorary Secretary for the AIP.

Thank you to Associate Professor Kirrily Rule for your six years of dedicated service in the role!

“This role is extremely rewarding and a fantastic way to grow your network of physicists from across the country and around the world,” says Kirrily.

Read more

 

Renew now for 2023

If you've renewed your membership for 2023, thank you for supporting the AIP!

Are you yet to renew? Please click the button below.

If you haven’t renewed by 31 March, your membership will end at that time.

Renew now
 

More news

AIP prize for excellence in physics research: The AIP awards the Walter Boas medal annually for original research that makes an important contribution to physics in Australia. Nominations are due by 1 April. See eligibility and nomination details on the AIP website. Read more

Your thesis could win you an AIP prize. The AIP is calling for nominations for the TH Laby medal, which awards the best Honours or Masters thesis from an Australian University student. Nominations are due to your Branch Secretary by 1 April. Check the AIP website for eligibility and nomination process. Read more

Add policy experience to your CV. Early-to-mid-career scientists looking for policy experience in the Australian Public Service are invited to apply for the 2023-24 Australian Science Policy Fellowship program. But hurry; applications close 7 March. Read more

Eureka Prizes nominations are now open. There are 18 different categories across fields of research and innovation, science leadership, science engagement and school science. Nominations close 14 April. Read more

Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Prize: IUPAP has opened nominations for the 2023 Early Career Scientist Prize In Atomic, Molecular And Optical Physics. Apply by 31 March. Read more

Plasma Physics Prize: IUPAP is calling for nominations for the 2023 Early Career Scientist Prize On Plasma Physics (C16). Apply by 30 April. Read more

David Syme Research Prize: The prize rewards the best original research in physics, biology, chemistry, or geology produced in Australia in the past two years. Nominations are now open. Apply by 31 March. Read more

Do you have an innovation that's ready to take to market? Apply for support from the NSW Physical Sciences Fund. Find out more about the program.

Are you a science podcaster? Researchers from the University of Western Australian are seeking to understand podcasters’ motivations for using science podcasts as a medium for communication. Contact heather.bray@uwa.edu.au to take part in the study.

See your work published in Australian Physics magazine. We’re on the look-out for write-ups of published papers, physics poems, and physics-related graphics and artwork. Send your suggestions to aip_editor@aip.org.au.

                 

                “Our customers like to break very expensive stuff and we like to fix it”

                #PhysicsGotMeHere

                “I help our team of physicists and engineers to provide technical expertise and empower lab operators, physicists, chemists and laboratory managers to get the most out of their fleets of scientific instruments and associated devices.

                "In short, our customers like to break very expensive stuff and we like to fix it,” says Andrea Biondo, Lead Physicist at Galactic® Scientific.

                Read more about Andrea’s career, and how his foundation in nanotechnology led him to work on lasers, robots, spectrometers and other “fun things found in labs”.


                 

                Upcoming events

                BrisScience: Illuminating dark energy | Brisbane | 6 Mar

                Space Elevate | Brisbane | 22-23 Mar

                 Frontiers of Science | Sydney | 24 Mar

                AIP NSW 2023 Research Poster Presentation Network Event | Parramatta | 3 Apr

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

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

                STATPHYS28 | Toyko | 7-11 Aug

                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

                  Aurora australis lights up skies across New South Wales as solar cycle nears its peak (ABC News)

                  This Australian scientist is pushing for more girls to aspire to work in physics (SBS)

                  Nicole Bell on Evenings with David Astle (skip to 2hr 7min) (ABC Melbourne)

                  Future Qubit Foundry to keep Australia at the forefront of quantum tech (The University of Sydney)

                  Nano-scale screen thickness possible following Aus-UK research (InnovationAus.com)

                  Dark matter expert shines light on female STEM shortage (AAP)

                                   

                                  Jobs corner

                                  Grant-Funded Researcher (A/B)– Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS) at the University of Adelaide.

                                  Work as part of a university-defence research team delivering a quantum magnetometer array for maritime deployment. Apply by 19 March.

                                  Details at: https://aip.org.au/Jobs

                                  Radiological Scientist APS 4/5-6 (S&T Level 3-4) with The Australian Department of Defence. Provide training in radiation detection and safety to specialised units within the Australian Defence Force and testing of equipment in support of Defence acquisition programs. Apply by 12 March.

                                  Details at: https://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: Director Quantum Technologies Future Science Platform, Severe Wind Hazard Scientist, Examiner of Patents, Senior Beamline Scientist, Science Communicator, Head of Commercialisation – Physical Sciences, 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 Kirrily Rule for more information.

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

                                   

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                                  Sent by Science in Public, on behalf of the Australian Institute of Physics, www.aip.org.au. Send enquiries and contributions to: Laura by the 20th of each month physics@scienceinpublic.com.au / (03) 9398 1416

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