AINSE/ANSTO Opportunities

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol46 Issue9 8–12 March 2021

1. AINSE 2021 Winter School (Online): 5-9 July 2021 – Nominations now open (nominations received from AINSE Councillors until 28 May 2021). (flyer available online)

The annual AINSE Winter School offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for senior undergraduate students to discover the potential for further research in nuclear science and related technologies. In an entirely-online format in 2021, students can meet and engage with future research collaborators, gain deep insight into ANSTO’s landmark research facilities, and network with other like-minded students from all across Australia and New Zealand.

Nominations for the 25th AINSE Winter School, held online from 5-9 July 2021, are open to all senior undergraduate students interested in learning about the techniques of nuclear analysis. Such techniques have applications across a wide range of disciplines, including archaeology, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, materials science, medicine, nanotechnology, and physics.

The AINSE Winter School provides an ideal opportunity for students in their final year of undergraduate STEM studies to meet potential collaborators and explore potential options for future research projects using ANSTO facilities in collaboration with ANSTO researchers. Throughout the week, students attend a mix of online lectures, social activities, and experiments relating to:
· Neutron Scattering (using neutron beamlines on the OPAL Multipurpose Reactor);
· X-Ray and IR Scattering (using beamlines on the Australian Synchrotron)
· Ion Beam Analysis (using ANSTO's suite of linear accelerators);
· Environmental studies using natural radioactivity (including sedimentation rates and erosion, geomorphology, and climate change); and
· Nuclear techniques in materials science.

A virtual tours of other major ANSTO facilities is also included in the program, alongside an online Research Roundup networking event for students to discuss future research opportunities working alongside ANSTO researchers.

For more information, and to apply, please contact your University Councillor or AINSE administration.

2. Call for Proposals at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and National Deuteration Facility (deadline 15 March 2021 for beamtime between July-December 2021).

ANSTO is open for proposals for the following neutron-beam instruments and facilities:

· Echidna (high-resolution powder diffractometer) 
· Wombat (high-intensity powder diffractometer) 
· Koala (Laue diffractometer)*
· Joey (neutron Laue camera)*|
· Kowari (strain scanner)
· Dingo (neutron radiography/tomography/imaging)
· Platypus (reflectometer)
· Spatz (reflectometer)
· Quokka (pinhole small-angle-neutron scattering)
· Bilby (TOF small-angle-neutron scattering)
· Kookaburra (ultra-small-angle neutron scattering)
· Taipan (thermal-neutron 3-axis spectrometer)

Beryllium-filter option on Taipan

· Sika (cold-neutron 3-axis spectrometer)
· Pelican (cold-neutron time-of-flight spectrometer)
· Emu (high-resolution backscattering spectrometer)

· Biological and Chemical Deuteration (at the National Deuteration Facility)

· Sample environment equipment available for use on the neutron-beam instruments (Sample environment equipment handbook)
· Small-angle X-ray scattering* and X-ray reflectometer* (in conjunction with Quokka, Bilby, Platypus or Spatz)
· Physical Properties Measurement System (only in collaborative mode with ANSTO staff) 

Other Important Information:
· It is probable that international travel restrictions to visit Australia will remain in place until 2022, which will restrict international users from participating in approved experiments. ANSTO will consider running the experiments in mail-in mode (where feasible) or alternatively Australian collaborators could attend ANSTO and run your experiment for you.  Where experiments are undertaken as mail-in, costs including sample mailing and importation fees will be charged back to users.

Mail-in proposals can be submitted continuously for the following:
· Powder Diffraction on Echidna
· Small-Angle Neutron Scattering on Quokka

*The following instruments will not be available for the 2022-1 Round (January-June 2022)
· Koala & Joey due to the Koala 2.0 upgrade installation
· Small-angle X-ray scattering due to replacement
· X-ray reflectometer due to replacement

Proposals must be submitted using our on-line system, http://neutron.ansto.gov.au/ Deadline: 15 March 2021. 

· For single visit proposals for neutron and X-ray instruments, select round “2021-2 Neutron”
· For 3-year program proposals for neutron instruments and/or bio- or chemical deuteration, select “2021-2 Neutron & NDF Program”
· For National Deuteration Facility proposals, select round "2021-2 Deuteration” 

Important notes: 
· Applicants should note that the proposal system will not allow a proposal to be submitted if you have outstanding experimental reports.
· Applicants should ensure that any publications resulting from beamtime at ANSTO are entered into the proposal system and linked to the related proposal(s). The peer review panels will take these into consideration when reviewing the proposals.
· Applicants should ideally discuss their proposal with the appropriate Instrument Scientist before submitting.

3. AINSE 2021 Postgraduate Research Awards (PGRA) – applications currently open (applications close 15 April 2021) (flyer available online)
Postgraduate Research Awards (PGRAs) are offered by AINSE Limited (the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering) for suitably-qualified persons wishing to undertake research in AINSE's fields of interest for a higher degree at an AINSE-member university. The available stipend has been increased to $8,250 per annum from 2021.

Applications will be received up to 11:59pm 15th April 2021 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

AINSE PGRAs are in the form of "supplements" and are offered to scholars who are, or will be, in receipt of a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent award (as certified by the Research Office of the university at which the applicant is enrolled), and for as long as that Award is current subject to satisfactory progress.

The award provides a stipend of A$8,250 per annum, in addition to a generous travel and accommodation allowance, to enable students to undertake research at ANSTO facilities.

Applications are now being sought from PhD students undertaking research projects in the areas of Archaeology, Geosciences & Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences, and Materials Science & Engineering.

Candidates for an AINSE Postgraduate Research supplement must be nominated by the Australian or New Zealand University where PhD enrolment is held (or proposed for tenure commencing before 30th June of the year of application). The University must be a member of AINSE. Responsibility for establishing taxation liability lies with the recipient.

Through its PGRA program, AINSE has now helped train hundreds of students in aspects of nuclear science and associated techniques of analysis.

For more information, including the online application form and Terms & Conditions, please visit our website or contact AINSE on +61 2 9717 3376 / enquiries@ainse.edu.au. 

4. 2021 AINSE Honours Scholarships: – applications currently open (applications close 15 March 2021) (flyer available online)
Eligible students from AINSE Member institutions who are enrolled in an Honours or Honours-equivalent program can now apply for the 2021 AINSE Honours Scholarship. 
· The deadline for applications has been extended to 15 March 2021.
· Sections 1 and 3 of the Terms and Conditions have been updated.

To be eligible for the AINSE Honours Scholarship, students must be:
· Studying at a current financial AINSE Member Institution;
· Enrolled in an Honours or Honours-equivalent Program; and
· Either the Student or Supervisor must be conducting research at ANSTO, or processing prior AINSE-sponsored research data, in collaboration with an ANSTO staff member.

AINSE Honours Scholars will receive a A$5,000 stipend to assist them in their studies.

Applications close 15 March 2021. Students must complete the online application form through the AINSE Grants Portal and supply a copy of their official Academic Transcript, along with a reference from their university supervisor.

Selection is largely based on academic achievement and each application is assessed by a specialist committee that oversees the specified area of research.

For more information, including a link to the online application form and Terms & Conditions, please visit our website or contact AINSE on +61 2 9717 3376 / enquiries@ainse.edu.au. 

5. New ANSTO FutureNow Plus Scholarships – deadline extended (FutureNow Plus applications close 15 March 2021; FutureNow applications open April 2021)
ANSTO is pleased to offer the FutureNow Scholarships which are funded by the NSW Government.  ANSTO awards scholarships for graduates or early career researchers working on industry-focused translational research projects aligned with ANSTO's research priorities.

ANSTO offers two FutureNow Scholarship programs:
· FutureNow – $7,500 existing stipend or salary top-up (five or more per year with annual extensions possible)
· FutureNow Plus – $35,000 stipend (up to 3 ½ year award, one or more per year)

Plus approved research, conference, travel and accommodation support to up $10,000.
* Note: This scheme is not an award of employment with ANSTO.

The FutureNow Plus Scholarship is ideal for graduates or early career researchers working on industry-related projects in defence, the environment, human health, nuclear technology or space. The closing date for this scholarship has been extended to 15 March 2021.

This scholarship will support a stipend of up to $35,000, plus a research, travel and accommodation allowance of up to $10,000. There is some flexibility in how the award can be taken depending on the nature and amount of the partnering industry support. For instance, the award could be matched by an industry partner to create a post-doctoral position. Alternately, industry funds could be used to support a second PhD stipend or to fund instrument access or additional sample costs.

Nuclear engineers Robert Mardus-Hall and Andrew Pastrello are both recipients of ANSTO FutureNow Scholarships. In this short video, they talk about their experiences at ANSTO in developing nuclear power-based solutions for missions to the Moon and Mars.

The FutureNow Plus Scholarship is generously supported by the NSW government funding of our ANSTO Innovation Precinct development. Applications are open from all regions, but a strong connection to NSW in the project or its outcomes is required.

Find out more at ANSTO’s FutureNow site.

6. 2021 United Uranium Scholarship: applications currently open (applications close 12 March 2021)
ANSTO are currently accepting applications for the 2021 United Uranium Scholarship. The closing date of entries for the 2021 scholarship is at 5pm (EST) on 12th March 2021. 

The scholarship recognises outstanding ability and promises in the field of nuclear science and technology, specifically as it applies to nuclear energy. Successful applicants will demonstrate a history of interest in nuclear energy and a desire to continue this interest. Where possible, it is intended that the scholarship will be awarded annually.

The recipient(s) of the scholarship will receive up to the value of AUDS$6,000. The scholarship is open to ‘promising young scientists’ in the field of nuclear energy who want to extend their development in nuclear science and technology and who work/study in an Australian organisation or institution. The applicant must also be an Australian citizen.

Further details, including guidelines and an application form, can be found at ANSTO’s website.