16 April 2013
The Australian Synchrotron has established a Fellows Program for outstanding individuals whose passion for science matches that of the synchrotron’s own staff.
The synchrotron provides x-rays and infrared light a million times brighter than the sun for use in experiments that allow researchers to investigate the structure and composition of material, and how various molecules interact in real time. Sophisticated synchrotron techniques available to medicine, materials studies and industry include the ability to: create 3D movies of live creatures, showing the composition of hard and soft tissue, blood flow, and breathing activity; measure fine detail of energy levels in materials and chemical processes in real time; and probe minutely small quantities of sample.
As well as attracting excellence from the ranks of post-doctoral academic researchers, the Australian Synchrotron Fellows Program is also keen to recruit from the industry sector as part of a suite of commercially-focussed activities including the recent formation of an Industry Advisory Group. Organisations involved in the program will benefit from new opportunities for knowledge transfer, and access to resources and beamtime. They will also benefit from having a dedicated staff member providing support for other synchrotron users from the same organisation.
Fellows will be selected on the basis of the scientific quality of the programs they propose to conduct at the synchrotron, and their ability to attract and support new scientific and commercial synchrotron users. Each of the 10 Fellows selected will be offered a two-year term (with the possibility of a third year), with the synchrotron providing up to 50 per cent of the funding required and the rest coming from external sources.
Candidates and their supporting organisations are invited to discuss their ideas with relevant staff at the Australian Synchrotron before submitting a formal application.
Australian Synchrotron Fellows Program
Photo: Principal scientist Bruce Cowie advises AS scientist Anton Tadich, a past post-doctoral candidate