SAIP Newsletter: May 2007 (A) Opportunity for students A Masters Degree in Materials Science (MATSCI) Accelerator & Nuclear Science (MANUS) Jointly offered by UWC, UniZulu and iThemba LABS Ian Schroeder - ischroeder@uwc.ac.za Do you have a strong interest in nuclear science or materials science? Are you interested in a challenging research project at organisations such as iThemba LABS, Necsa, CSIR , Mintek or industry? Do you have a degree in Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering? The MANUS/MATSCI course consists of intensive coursework at the UWC campus involving lectures, experimental laboratories, industry visits and self study. In addition,our belief is that our students need to be developed holistically and as a result there is a strong focus on research skills, planning skills and communication skills. Due to the specialised nature of this course, generous bursaries are available to successful candidates. For more information please contact Ms Angela Adams at 021 959 2327, via email on aadams@uwc.ac.za and http://www.nac.ac.za/public/manus.PDF (B) SAIP 2007 Conference announcement Rudolph Erasmus ( Local Organising Committee: SAIP2007) Emails : Rudolph.Erasmus@wits.ac.za ; saip2007@wits.ac.za SAIP2007 conference: Registration opens 15 May 2007. The 52nd Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) will be proudly hosted by the School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, during the period 3-6 July 2007. The conference will be preceded by a one-day winter school focused on “Dynamics of Solids”. Early bird on-line registration will open on 15 May 2007. For further information, please visit http://www.wits.ac.za/conferences/saip2007 (C) Space And Aviation Photographic Challenge For Grade 11 and 12 School Learners The Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Pretoria is holding a photograhic competition. Competition theme: Space and Aviation: the technology surrounds us The challenge: Space and aviation technology has pervaded many aspects of our modern society. Take a picture (photo) that effectively illustrates how space and aviation technology is all around us (in both aerospace and non-aerospace sectors of industry and society). Also write a caption of no more than 50 words that explains how your photograph illustrates the pervasiveness of space and aviation technology in our modern society. Closing date: 11 June 2007 (Photographic Challenge ) The Challenge The Prizes How to Enter Entry Form Competition Rules Tips (D) Joint DST-JINR symposium entitled "Models and methods in few and many body systems" Andre E Botha - bothaae@unisa.ac.za Moritz Braun - braunm@unisa.ac.za A joint DST-UNISA-JINR symposium entitled, "Models and methods in few- and many-body systems" was held in Skukuza from 5-9 February 2007. This symposium was motivated by the quest for establishing a solid research collaboration in the field of theoretical nuclear physics, and in related areas, between the Physics Department of the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research (JINR) as envisaged in the recently-signed agreement between the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the JINR. The number of participants in the symposium was limited to 28, with 10 invited speakers being selected from each side. Researchers from Venda and Rhodes Universities were also included. Speakers were requested to provide somewhat extended details of their research topic, tfrom the symposium are thus intended to serve as guidance for the pending collaboration and as substrate material for students and young researchers who will join the venture. With this in mind, the proceedings are made available to all interested researchers and students at the symposium website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/faculties/science/phy/docs/gen2.html A limited number of bound copies of the proceedings will also be available at the upcoming SAIP conference. (E) JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Positions in Heliospheric Physics North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Stefan Ferreira : Stefan.Ferreira@nwu.ac.za The Unit for Space Physics (USP) and School of Physics at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa announce two postdoctoral research fellowships in Computational Heliospheric Physics (or Cosmic Rays,Space Physics, Astrophysics). The successful candidates will be expected to play an active role in research using the facilities of the newly created Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) in South Africa. Members of the USP will participate during the next two years as one of three flagship projects of the CHPC. Successful candidates will also be involved in the teaching of physics and supervision of research projects for post graduate students. Applicants must have a recent PhD in Cosmic Ray Research or Space Physics or Heliospheric Physics or Astrophysics, with experience in computational aspects, numerical modelling and cosmic ray physics. Each appointment will be for up to two years contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance. The USP has a strong research record on various aspects of computational Space Physics, Heliospheric Physics, Cosmic Ray and Astrophysics. The Heliospheric Group has a strong team, specializing in numerical modelling. The computational research of the group is internationally recognized within the Cosmic Ray, Heliospheric and Space Physics communities. Candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter describing their research experience and interests, and names and contact information for two references, by June 15, 2007, electronically to Prof. M.S. Potgieter. The appointees will be expected to commence duties on 1 August 2007 or soonest thereafter. The appointees will be expected to commence duties on 1 August 2007 or soonest thereafter. This position will remain This position will remain open until filled. The North-West University in Potchefstroom is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. For more information, contact Prof. M.S. Potgieter (Marius.Potgieter@nwu.ac.za) by email or fax him: +27 18 299 2412. Please visit http://www.nwu.ac.za/research/focus-area.html to learn more about the USP and its people. (F) HMO Winter School 2007 - Introduction to Space Physics Dr. Lee-Anne McKinnell Email : L.McKinnell@ru.ac.za This is reminder that the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) will be holding its annual winter school for final year undergraduate physics students from 25th -- 29th June 2007. We welcome applications from all South African universities. The deadline for applications is the 21 May 2007, and applications should be made online at http://moodle.hmo.ac.za Please see http://www.hmo.ac.za for more information or email info@hmo.ac.za