R&D INFO, June
5, 2003
SUMMARY
NEWS
ALERTS
1.
REVIEW OF RESEARCH COLLABORATION
2.
$100 MILLION FOR QUEENSLAND SMART STATE STRATEGY
3. FUNDS FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION IN SA BUDGET
INNOVATION
4. SECRETS
OF AUSTRALIAN IT INNOVATION COMPETITION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
5. INNOVATION
DIVISION - VARIOUS POSITIONS - Commonwealth Department of Industry, Tourism
and Resources
6. PROGRAM MANAGER - Winter Cereals Improvement, Grains Research
& Development Corporation
(For more
Employment Opportunities, see ResearchJobs at http://www.researchjobs.net.au)
GRANTS
7. TRAVEL
GRANTS - Australian Academy of Science
CONSULTATIONS
8. PHARMACEUTICALS PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM Consultation Meetings
9. CALL
FOR COMMENT - Evaluation of the National Biotechnology Strategy and Biotechnology
Australia
PUBLICATIONS
10. AUSTRALIAN VENTURE CAPITAL GUIDE 2003
11. AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORY
NEWS
ALERTS
1. REVIEW OF RESEARCH COLLABORATION
Businessman, Donald McGauchie will chair the Federal Government's 'Review of Closer Collaboration between Universities and Major Publicly Funded Research Agencies'. Mr McGauchie is a former President of the National Farmers' Federation and Chairman of Woolstock Australia Ltd, and is currently a member of the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia and a Director of Telstra Corporation.
Other members of the review steering committee are Professor Suzanne Cory, Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research; Professor Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow; Professor Peter Hoj, Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute; Kevin Jarry, Businessman, former banking industry executive; Kenneth Peacock, Businessman, former aerospace industry executive; and Professor Millicent Poole, Vice-Chancellor of Edith Cowan University.
The Review, which will encompass all Australian public universities and four publicly funded research agencies including CSIRO, ANSTO, DSTO and AIMS, will examine the extent to which collaboration can enhance critical mass of research effort, improve research outcomes, achieve more effective use of resources, and strengthen institutional performance.
It will also consider alternative funding models to develop excellence across the national research effort, including the merits of broadening access by the publicly funded research agencies to the competitive grant schemes operated by the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council.
2. $100 MILLION FOR QUEENSLAND SMART STATE STRATEGY
The Queensland state budget has earmarked $100 million over four years for a new Smart State Strategy to be announced in July which will aim to turn Queensland into a "powerhouse of science, research and innovation".
The Minister for Innovation and Information Economy, Paul Lucas, said the Strategy would include "a vast range of initiatives designed to further establish a culture of innovation here in Queensland and boost our profile as a national leader in science, research and innovation".
These would include investments in areas such as tropical marine science, clean coal technology, e-health, e-security, supercomputing and research in the areas of medical, cancer, biodiscovery and microtechnology. The Premier, Peter Beattie, will announce biotechnology components of the strategy at BIO2003, in Washington D.C. later this month.
3. FUNDS FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION IN SA BUDGET
The South Australian budget provided funding for a number of new initiatives to encourage research and innovation in the state. These include:
* a $10 million venture capital fund, to be administered by a new Venture Capital Board, which will leverage private venture capital investment in South Australia;
* a new $4 million Premier's Research and Innovation Fund to support new bids for science projects and to leverage Commonwealth and industry funding;
* $3.1 million to support the development of high performance computing facilities;
* $7 million for science, technology and innovation support programs and Bio Innovation SA; and
* $8.4 million for a Broadband Telecommunications Task Force and infrastructure fund.
INNOVATION
4. SECRETS OF AUSTRALIAN IT INNOVATION COMPETITION
Do you have an innovative technology?
Need assistance to take your technology to the next step?
Looking for an opportunity to present your innovation to an international audience?
Apply now for the Secrets of Australian IT Innovation Competition at http://www.itsecrets.com.au
The Secrets of Australian IT Innovation Competition will select world leading innovative Australian ICT companies and research organisations. All Australian based companies, research organisations, universities and individuals with an innovative ICT technology should apply.
Winners will be profiled in material that will target both domestic and international markets in promoting Australia as an innovation nation and a provider of leading ICT solutions.
Additional prizes include -
* Participation in a business mission to Europe and/or America.
* Participation in an ICT event focused on the Asia Pacific Region.
* Participation in ICT innovation events both domestically and overseas.
* One year listing on an online software database.
* Lawyer services including IP support, localisation and investment support.
* Accountant services including accounting and financial advice, funding advice and R&D project management.
* Access to development lab facilities, commercialisation assistance and technical consulting.
Full details, including the application form, can be found at http://www.itsecrets.com.au. Hurry application close June 30th.
The competition is an initiative of Backing Australia's Ability and is supported by Austrade, Invest Australia, Department of Communications, IT and the Arts and all State and Territory Governments. The competition is sponsored by Sun Microsystems, Gilbert + Tobin, Icon Recruitment, Nokia, The Solution Finder and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
5.
INNOVATION DIVISION - VARIOUS POSITIONS
Commonwealth Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources
EXECUTIVE
LEVEL 1
$62,767-$67,778
APS LEVEL
6
$48,962-$56,244
APS LEVEL
5
$45,332-$48,070
ARE YOU
Motivated, talented and enthusiastic?
DO YOU HAVE
Strong analytical, communication, research and leadership skills?
DO YOU
Want to help shape the future of Australian industry through the encouragement
of innovation?
... THEN WE WANT YOU
Innovation Division is offering challenging positions that will encourage industry innovation and the development of an internationally competitive Australian pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
For further information please contact the following people:
EL1 Karen
Kuschert (02) 6213 6389
APS 5&6 Justin Hill (02) 6213 7695
Selection documentation can be obtained from Ms Beth Mason on (02) 6213 7351 (EL1) and Mrs Helen Mak on (02) 6213 7753 (APS 5 & 6). Selection documentation and detailed information about the work we undertake may also be obtained from http://www.industry.gov.au
Eligibility: All applicants must be Australian citizens.
Applications: Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a curriculum vitae and the name of two referees should reach the following address no later than close of business Thursday 19 June 2003.
Applications may be sent by email to personnel@industry.gov.au or mailed to:
The Recruitment
Officer
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources
GPO Box 9839
CANBERRA ACT 2601
These are designated security assessment positions.
6. PROGRAM MANAGER - Winter Cereals Improvement, Grains Research
& Development Corporation
Canberra
The Grains Research & Development Corporation is one of the world's leading grains research organisations, responsible for planning investing, and overseeing research and development, delivering improvements in production, sustainability, and profitability across the Australian grains industry
GRDC requires a Program Manager - Winter Cereals Improvement to lead the strategic development & management of projects related to breeding, agronomy, pathology (related to varietal development) and germplasm development. The manager will work with projects involved in the application of biotechnology including genetic resources and crop variety programs
Your duties will include:
* Identification and prioritisation of investment opportunities
* Monitoring and evaluating the GRDC's winter cereal improvement research investments in biotechnology related areas
* Developing and maintaining relationships with partner organizations
* Undertaking industry liaison activities including participation in key panel meetings with industry stakeholders
* Contribute to the internal GRDC stategic,operational, and reporting activities
Ideally the candidate will possess:
* Extensive experience in programme management.
* Knowledge of crop improvement technologies, particularly breeding, agronomy, quality and pathology including the application to biotechnology to these sciences
* A degree or higher degree in area pertaining to these technologies
* Demonstrated capability in investment and program management
* Knowledge of major providers of R & D in Australia
* A knowledge of research commercialisation and delivery processes
* Commercial experience of the agri-food value change
GRDC is keen to attract proven successful candidates, for this challenging role and an attractive remuneration package will be discussed with the successful candidate
To make
confidential enquiries, you are encouraged to phone Duncan Wyse on 02 9875 4227
or 0418 678 172.
Applications should be emailed to resume@agpeople.com.au
GRANTS
7. TRAVEL GRANTS - Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science is inviting applications from professional scientists to visit Europe, North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), and North East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan), between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005 to collaborate with researchers in those countries. Proposals in any field of natural science, basic and applied, including mathematics and engineering science, will be considered.
Applicants must propose a collaborative research project, or a specific activity, which has been developed in consultation with host scientists. Under this scheme, applicants can request travel support to access international leading-edge small to medium research facilities and equipment. Support will not be provided for costs associated with the use of these facilities or when the primary purpose of the visit is to attend a conference. The duration of the visits must be between two and six weeks.
These programs are administered by the Academy and funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training's International Science and Technology Networks, a component of the Innovation Access Program announced in the Government's Innovation Statement, Backing Australia's Ability.
Information, deadlines and application forms are available on the website at: http://www.science.org.au/internat/index.htm
CONSULTATIONS
8. PHARMACEUTICALS PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM Consultation Meetings
The Pharmaceuticals Partnerships Program (P3) is the new, five year, competitive entry, $150 million R&D program for the pharmaceuticals industry.
The broad architecture of the program has been decided, with the details to be finalised following consultation with industry and other stakeholders.
To facilitate the consultation process, a P3 Discussion Paper is available on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources web site at
http://www.industry.gov.au/pharmaceuticals.
Industry stakeholders are invited to comment on the P3 Discussion Paper and make written submissions to the P3 Team. Written Submissions close on 4 July 2003.
As part of the consultation process, we will be conducting half day roundtable discussion meetings in the following cities:
* 5 June: Adelaide
* 10 & 11 June: Sydney
* 12 June: Melbourne
* 16 June: Perth
* 19 June: Brisbane
It is essential for people to register for particular sessions as numbers will be limited. However, we can schedule more meetings if there is sufficient demand. To register for sessions, or if you would like further information, please contact the P3 Team.
Pharmaceuticals
Partnerships Program Team
Innovation Division
ITR
GPO BOX 9839
CANBERRA ACT 2600
E-mail: p3@industry.gov.au
Phone: +61 2 6213 7906
Fax: +61 2 6213 7360
http://www.industry.gov.au/pharmaceuticals
.
9. CALL FOR COMMENT - Evaluation of the National Biotechnology
Strategy and Biotechnology Australia
The Federal Government has requested that an independent evaluation of the National Biotechnology Strategy (NBS) and Biotechnology Australia be undertaken in 2003.
This is the final evaluation of the Government's three year program for the NBS (launched in July 2000) and builds upon the work done by Biotechnology Australia and the Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council in 2002 (the Mid-term Review).
The evaluation is being directed by an independent Steering Committee under Terms of Reference that focus on the effectiveness, efficiency and ongoing appropriateness of both the NBS and Biotechnology Australia.
Interested parties are invited to access the NBS and the Terms of Reference for the evaluation via the 'What's New?' link at http://www.biotechnology.gov.au. You are also invited to contribute to the evaluation by responding to all or some of the specific questions that have been designed to inform the Terms of Reference (available at same web address or through Biotechnology Australia (Tel: (02) 6213 7161).
Responses
should be sent by email to susan.buller@industry.gov.au
at Biotechnology Australia no later than Thursday 26 June 2003.
PUBLICATIONS
10. AUSTRALIAN VENTURE CAPITAL GUIDE 2003
The 2003 edition of the Australian Venture Capital Guide contains information on 179 sources of private equity, including 146 suppliers of professional venture capital, 16 business introduction services, 8 suppliers of product development funding, 15 New Zealand venture capital firms, and 9 equity investors in unlisted infrastructure.
The Guide is the most comprehensive of its type in Australia. Now in its tenth year of publication, the 2003 edition is the largest yet and contains 31 new sources of capital. The 179 organizations in the Guide have over $5 billion available to invest in venture capital.
The Guide is designed for entrepreneurs and growth companies seeking capital for business start-up or expansion. It is structured to help prospective applicants identify the most suitable sources to approach.
The introduction gives a wealth of information on the venture capital industry, the availability of capital, how to become investment ready and other ways to maximize your chances of successfully finding venture capital.
The Guide is published by Private Equity Media, which also publishes the Australian Venture Capital Journal.
The 215
page Guide is $95.00, including postage. It is available as a book or CD (pdf
format).
See http://www.vcjournal.com.au.
For further information phone 02 9713 7608.
11. AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORY
The Third Edition of The Australian Environment Directory has just been published.
The Directory is a 440 page guide to the environment sector at Federal and State levels, allowing readers to quickly identify which departments and agencies are responsible for programs and relevant legislation.
The programs include air quality, catchment management, greenhouse, renewable energy, salinity, land, coastal and marine management. Environmental strategies at national and state level are also outlined.
The Directory also provides information about more than 700 research centres and bodies, higher education facilities, organisations and associations.
The Directory retails for $90.
For further information, contact Hallmark Editions on (03) 9530 8900 or fax (03) 9530 8911, Email: ruth@halledit.com.au.
Website: http://www.halledit.com.au