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Director's Message
Dear Colleagues,
This week's research news takes a different, more technical form, with an infrastructure and equipment update. As many would know, over the past several months we have been busy moving instruments into the new clean-room. I'm pleased to report that the first half of ANFF ACT clean-room tools, including the sputterer, thermal evaporator, mask aligner, EBL systems, SEM and FIB, are already back online and operating normally. A further group of high-priority tools, including the ICPs, ALD, PECVD and e-beam evaporator, are expected to become available after 17 August, with the remaining equipment following through to the end of August. Before some of the major etch and deposition tools can be formally reopened for bookings, WHS-relevant documentation must be finalised. The team is working as quickly as possible to achieve this and the School is very aware of the impact on projects during this shutdown period. The ANFF web page has updates on tool availability. Many thanks to Horst Punzmann, Neeraj Dhiman from Campus Environment, our Mechanical and Electronics Workshops, the SCU, WHS, Facilities and the ANFF teams for their work and dedication on this major school project. Please contact Horst Punzmann for any additional details.
Congratulations to Emeritus Distinguished Professor Jagadish, who has been awarded an AIP Honorary Fellowship, one of only nine Honorary Fellows recognised by the Australian Institute of Physics. A well-deserved honour!
Also congratulations to Forge Photonics, a startup with roots in the Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics, who had a successful night at the Australian Defence Industry Awards last week, winning the Autonomous Systems Developer of the Year category.
As flagged last week, there are changes to how support for our MPhil and PhD students and supervisors is delivered. Luda, who has been our Physics support person in this area, is currently on leave for a few weeks. When she returns, she will be based in the Chemistry hub rather than here in Physics. As a result, enquiries are now to be directed to one of four email addresses depending on the nature of the query, with a phone line also available during set hours (see here & below for the full list of addresses, numbers and hours). Please do have a look through so you know where to direct different types of enquiries. We will hold a morning tea in the coming weeks to thank Luda for all her support over the years. If you run into any issues or have concerns with the new arrangements, please don't hesitate to come directly to me.
As part of our response to the recent ANYOU survey, the IDEA committee has endorsed a comprehensive list of support available for ANU staff and students, which you can find on our website here. There will also be some flyers put up around the school this week with a link and QR code code. Our thanks to the Research School of Biology, who put this list together and kindly shared it with us, and to the SCU and Nikki for turning it around so quickly.
A reminder that at 2pm today (Monday 27th July) Australia will run a test of the National Emergency Alert system. You may receive a test message on your phone as part of this but no action will be required. If you would prefer your phone not to sound at 2pm, note that silent mode will not stop it, the phone will need to be switched off entirely. More details are available here.
Finally, I just want to acknowledge that Semester 2 begins today. A warm welcome back to returning students and best of luck to all our teaching staff for the semester ahead.
Jodie |
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Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship
Looking for a scholarship to support your postgrad studies or research?
Applications for 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships, each valued at up to $120,000 open on 24 June 2026.
Open to commencing postgraduate or research students ready to lead in sustainable futures, innovation, social change or Asia-Pacific leadership. This scholarship offers flexible funding, a nine-month leadership program and overseas opportunities to support your studies and grow your leadership potential.
Applications close 20 August |
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MSI Seminar | Jul 30
'Inside ITER: Physics, Modelling, and AI Challenges of a Burning Plasma'
Simon Pinches, Plasma Modelling & Analysis, ITER
ITER, now under assembly in southern France, will be the first fusion device to produce a burning plasma, that is, one predominantly heated by its own fusion reactions. This talk will introduce the ITER Project and its updated baseline before turning to the scientific preparations for operation: the simulation of plasma scenarios from start-up on a tungsten first wall through to Q=10 operation, the validation of models against today's machines, and the integrated modelling infrastructure (IMAS) that ties them together. I will also show how AI is beginning to reshape this work. Examples range from machine-learning surrogates that accelerate physics models ten-thousand-fold, to LLM agents performing signal discovery and code generation on operating tokamaks, to AI-assisted analysis and software development across our modelling programme. These preparations sit at the intersection of plasma physics, applied mathematics, scientific computing and engineering. With first plasma operations now on the horizon, they will determine how quickly ITER can turn a burning plasma from an ambition into an experimental reality.
Date: Thurs 30 Jul 2026
Time: 5pm
Venue: Seminar Room 1.33, Hanna Neumann Building 145 » read more
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ACT Space Workforce Strategy | Student Consultation EoI
The Canberra Cyber Hub is currently undertaking a project to better understand the current and future workforce needs of the ACT space sector and identify opportunities to strengthen Canberra's position as a leading centre for space capability, innovation, and economic growth.
As part of this work, they are seeking input from students who may be considering careers within the broader space ecosystem. On Thursday 6 August from 3:00pm - 4:30pm, they will be holding a virtual student consultation to explore perspectives on career pathways, workforce attraction and the factors that influence decisions to live and work in Canberra.
In particular, they are hoping to include:
- A mix of undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students.
- Primarily domestic students, with limited places available for international students; and
- Students from disciplines relevant to the broader space ecosystem, including engineering, computing, cyber security, data, physics and related fields.
As places are limited, completing the form does not guarantee participation. Attendees will be selected to ensure an appropriate mix of study levels, backgrounds and perspectives. They will confirm participation directly with selected students and provide the Teams invitation. » read more
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InnovationACT - Registration Open
Are you passionate about innovation? Excited to turn bold ideas into real-world impact?
Register for InnovationACT and pitch your game-changing business concept to a panel of highly acclaimed judges to win from a pool of $10,000 AUD!
This opportunity is open to students and staff at the Australian National University, University of Canberra, University of New South Wales Canberra, Canberra Institute of Technology, and Australian Catholic University Canberra.
Over four weeks in August, teams will learn how to validate customer problems, test and evolve ideas, build a sustainable business model, and develop strong pitching skills. Program finalists pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to win funding.
To register and find out more, follow the link: https://cbrin.com.au/programs/iact
Registration closes 12 noon on the 10th of August. |
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Staff Movements
Prof Jodie Bradby will be on leave from 14/8/26 through 1/9/26
Prof Cedric Simenel & Prof Hoe Tan will be acting Director over this period*
Prof Greg Lane will be on leave from 26/7/26 through 1/8/26
Ed Simpson will be acting HoD over this time » read more
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College Hot Desking In Physics
HR, RM & Finance Teams
Thursday Mornings
Lv2 Tearoom, Bldg 160 |
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University Travel
- When booking travel for any type of University business, it is mandatory to use ATPI - » read more
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Director's Colloquium - 29 July
Quantum mixtures and quasiparticles: From impurities to exotic quantum phases - Professor Meera Parish » read more
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Know your administrators...
Nikki Azzopardi, Belinda Barbour, Petra Rickman & Holly Zervos » read more
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Know your HDR Convenors...
Dr Michaela Froehlich
Dr Lilli Sun
HDR Convenors
A/Prof Vanessa Robins
Associate Director HDR |
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Know your Student Reps...
Lingxiao Li, Lakshmi Raja, Jessica Wierbik, Sheil Sequeira, Luke Johnstone & Taskil Dastoor
hdrsreps.physics@anu.edu.au |
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HR Support For CoSM SharePoint
The People and Culture division have re-aligned work within functional teams to improve consistency and quality of advice across the University. » read more
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Research Opportunities Funding Portal
Explore current and upcoming grants, funding opportunities, and a curated collection of forms, templates, and resources to support your research journey. » read more
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ANU Staff Card Printing And Collection
New and replacement staff cards will now be printed and collected from different locations. » read more
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Free Flu Vaccinations
The University is committed to supporting staff health and wellbeing during the upcoming flu season. Free vaccinations are available this year, with three options to choose from:
1. On campus at the ANU Medical Centre (appointment bookings are available from 31 March 2026)
2. On campus at the ANU Pharmacy – book via the QR code on the Safety and Wellbeing webpage or attend as a walk-in
3. Off campus at a Terry White Chemist. Access the TWC voucher code in HORUS (valid until Friday 31 July) » read more
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