South African Institute of Physics Newsletter - August 2007 Editor (for this issue): J. Padayachee Contents 0. Editorial From President 1. Council Matters 2. Scholarships, Bursaries, Research Opportunities, Jobs 3. News 4. Specialist Group Matters And Related 5. Conferences, Workshops, Meetings, Etc 6. Prizes And Awards 0. EDITORIAL FROM PRESIDENT (N. Chetty, chettyn@ukzn.ac.za) It is with gratitude and honour that I hope to serve the SAIP as president for the next two years. My intention is to communicate widely and to delegate. I view council as a team, and I want to see a devolved system to each of the portfolios and committees within council, as well as to the specialist groups where much more consultation needs to be carried out. I want to see a more comprehensive system in place within the Institute that will ensure that we are able to address challenges facing physics in South Africa in a more efficient manner, and that the Institute becomes a more attractive place for physicists. We need many more people coming through the ranks of serving in the specialist groups, the various different committees as well as council itself. In this respect, the setting up of the Executive Office, the re-writing of the constitution, the governance of the specialist groups and the development of a clearer set of guidelines for council are important items on the agenda for the next two years. We are moving into a more professional era for the Institute. I believe that there is a tremendous amount for us to be very proud as the SAIP. The Institute has played a significant role in helping change the landscape for physics in the country. The outcomes from the future of physics report bears testimony to this magnificent achievement. Previous councils and presidents have played a significant role in this regard, and we are now seeing the fruits of that labour. This places a huge responsibility on our current council to maintain this forward thrust for physics. The Institute has not done this exclusively, of course, and we need to continue to work in unison with government, with higher education institutions, with our national laboratories, with industry, with our high schools and with the public to push for a higher profile for physics as a research and teaching discipline and for a greater impact by physics on society - especially our society with its unique challenges. We need to focus on quality, because all our efforts will come undone if we do not deliver on quality graduate student production, and quality research and teaching in physics, which ultimately impacts positively on society. We can only achieve all that we want to achieve by working together and with more cohesion. It is my intention to rise above the divisions of the past to forge stronger ties between people at an individual, institutional and national level. We must champion the development of physics, and physics as an instrument for development. In this way, we need to ensure that physics thrives in all corners of South Africa. I want to particularly emphasise the importance of building stronger international linkages. This also includes increasing contact with the rest of Africa of course. There are significant and growing opportunities here for physics in South Africa. The business of the Institute has expanded considerably over recent years that oral reporting and tabling of written reports at the annual general meeting have become difficult if not impossible to manage. We will publish the inaugural annual report of the SAIP shortly which is meant to communicate to the membership activities of council, the various specialist groups, committees, task teams, etc. In future, we will have much more time at the AGM for feedback from the membership. 1. COUNCIL MATTERS (J. Padayachee, secretary@saip.org.za) 1.1. NEW COUNCIL FOR 2007-2009 The new SAIP Council for the 2007-2009 term is: President - Prof. Nithaya Chetty (U. KwaZulu-Natal) President-Elect - Dr. Simon Connell (U. Witwatersrand) Secretary - Dr. Jaynie Padayachee Treasurer - Prof. Japie Engelbrecht (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan U.) Student Liaison - Mr. Gurthwin Bosman (U. Stellenbosch) Marketing - Dr. Attie Combrink (HartRAO) Industrial Liaison - Dr. Igle Gledhill (CSIR) Awards - Prof. Dieter Heiss (U. Stellenbosch) Conferences - Dr. Peter Martinez International/National Liaison - Prof. Harm Moraal (North-West U.) Specialist Group Liaison - Prof. Erich Rohwer (U. Stellenbosch) 1.2. MINUTES OF SAIP COUNCIL MEETINGS Minutes of all SAIP meetings can be downloaded from http://www.saip.org.za/Meetings.html 1.3. SILVER JUBILEE MEDAL FOR 2007 Dr. Kavilan Moodley (School of Mathematical Sciences, U. KwaZulu-Natal) has won the Silver Jubilee Medal for 2007. Kavilan, a cosmologist, was awarded the medal at the opening ceremony of the 2007 SAIP Annual Conference held at U. Witwatersrand from 2 to 6 July 2007. 1.4. New Members since last newsletter Miss. NW Maxakato (S) Mr MJ Hato (S) Dr. CA Pineda-Vargas (O) Mr. T.J. Van Rooyen (O) 1.5. REQUEST FROM THE TREASURER (J. Engelbrecht - treasurer@saip.org.za) There are a number of direct deposits into the SAIP bank account with cryptic or generic references or from people who are not on the SAIP membership list, which I cannot link to any specific member. Please scan the list of these unassigned payments, and inform either your Finance Department to me Treasurer, or identify themselves to me (with proof of the fact that it was indeed their payment, and not their friend's !) so that I can assign these deposits to real members ! DATE OF DEPOSIT INDICATED AS AMOUNT 2006 26 April NECSA 250.00 05 May UCW 250.00 12 May Foundationpay 250.00 26 May UWC 250.00 07 June Foundationpay 125.00 05 October Foundationpay 250.00 05 October NECSA 250.00 06 October ILAB 250.00 16 October Iris Gerber La Lucia 490.00 08 December Foundationpay 390.00 2007 26 January CSIR 250.00 23 March Mafikeng 445.00 17 April NECSA 280.00 18 April Foundationpay 530.00 24 April ILABS 1,215.00 26 April Foundationpay 350.00 16 May Hermanus 1,225.00 25 May UWC 530.00 28 May Sefako + SAAO 755.00 31 May iLabs 530.00 06 June PBMR 280.00 27 June PBMR 140.00 29 June Univ v PTA 280.00 2. SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES, RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS 2.1. CAREER OPPURTUNITIES IN R&D (C. Theron - chris.theron@e6.com) Element Six is a multinational group of companies specialising in the manufacture of industrial diamond and related ultra-hard materials. Our products are synthesised at extreme conditions of pressure and temperature and find extensive applications in oil and gas drilling, mining, construction and manufacturing industries. New and diverse product development is one of the key elements of our success in a competitive global market. We continue to build on this strength through the use of advanced technology and investment in research and development. Element Six is expanding its R&D portfolio and is offering exciting and varied career opportunities at the Diamond Research Laboratory in Springs, Gauteng. High calibre professionals with relevant experience in the field of Physics, Metallurgy, Material Science and Engineering are encouraged to apply. Element Six also offers bursaries for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Final year students with outstanding academic records can also apply for possible employment in 2008. Interested candidates must forward their application, CV's and academic record to: Element Six (Pty) Ltd Janine Hutton Tel: (011) 812 9195, Fax: (011) 812 9352 Email: recruitmentzapro@e6.com, Website: www.e6.com 2.2. VACANCIES AT THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE UNIT, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND - (M. Witcomb - Michael.Witcomb@wits.ac.za) 2.2.1. Specialist Scientist responsible for Focused Ion Beam SEM An academic permanent position at the level of Senior Lecturer. Previous experience with both SEM and EDX required. Training will be provided. Person required to teach users the operation of the instrument, to operate where necessary, hold training courses and workshops, promote facility nationally, write reports, supervise the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the facility, undertake own and collaborative research and to publish. This instrument and its environment offer a unique opportunity for research and publications. Excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills particularly in English are essential as are the ability to deal and work with a wide range of people. 2.2.2. Senior Technician responsible for two Veeco Scanning Probe Microscopes. Permanent technical position. Experience with such equipment would be of benefit, but not essential. Training provided. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Windows, Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Required to teach operation of the instruments, to operate where necessary, supervise training on the microscopes and to assist with workshops, assist promote the facility and write reports, to supervise the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the facility. Further information from: Prof Mike Witcomb, Electron Microscope Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050.Telephone: 011 717 1330/1333; 083 593 5431. E-mail: Michael.Witcomb@wits.ac.za 2.3. POSTGRAD OPPORTUNITY - UNISA RESEARCH CENTRE (D. Smits - dps@astro.unisa.ac.za) Unisa has recently established a Centre of Excellence in the Dept of Mathematical Sciences specializing in Computational Relativity, Astrophysics & Cosmology (CRAC). Members of the group are active in research projects on black holes, gravitational radiation, star formation, masers, eclipsing binaries and Brane cosmology amongst others. For further details, including opportunities and funding for postgrad and postdoc students, please look at http://www.unisa.ac.za/crac 2.4. VACATION JOBS IN THE NUCLEAR PHYSICS GROUP, ITHEMBA LABS (E. Lawrie : elena@tlabs.ac.za) The vacation scholar programme in Nuclear Physics Group provides the university level students (usually third year to Honours level) with an opportunity to gain experience doing research in experimental nuclear physics. Each year scholars are appointed for about two months in December-January holidays. They are offered individual projects in nuclear physics and hands-on experience with sophisticated nuclear physics equipment. The deadline for applications for the summer vacation jobs is 1 October. For more information please contact Dr. Elena Lawrie at elena@tlabs.ac.za or check the iThemba LABS website (www.tlabs.ac.za) 2.5. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS IN HELIOSPHERIC PHYSICS (M. Potgieter - Marius.Potgieter@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 October 15, 2007, electronically to Prof. M.S. Potgieter (Marius.Potgieter@nwu.ac.za). The appointees will be expected to commence duties as soon as possible. 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. 3. NEWS 3.1. SA RESEARCH CHAIRS INITIATIVE (SARCHI) - (J. Padayachee - secretary@saip.org.za) The first 21 research chairs have been announced by DST/NRF. The research chairs with links to physics are: Applicant Name of Research Chair Institution Prof LJ Barbour - Functional Nanostructured Materials (University of Stellenbosch) Dr WJG de Blok - Astrophysics and Space Science (University of Cape Town) Prof SD Maharaj Gravitating systems (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Prof EM Meintjes - Brain Imaging (University of Cape Town) (ex-physics) Prof PE Ngoepe - Computational Modeling of Materials (University of Limpopo) Prof BD Reddy - Computational Mechanics - (University of Cape Town) Dr H Schwoerer - Photonics, Ultrafast and Ultra-Intense Laser Science (University of Stellenbosch) More information can be obtained from the NRF website: www.nrf.ac.za 3.2. AWARD FOR SAIP MEMBER (C. Van Niekerk - gingervanniekerk@gmail.com) Dr Kelvin Kemm was awarded a Circle of Valour award from The Knights in Durban for his contributions to Science and Technology in the country. The award was presented at a Gala Dinner in Durban on 21 June attended, by about 200 people. The Knights is an organisation largely composed of past pupils and teachers of the schools; Northlands, Beachwood, and Northwood in Durban North. Dr Kemm runs a Business Strategy Consultancy practice in Pretoria. 3.3. BASELINE STUDY OF WOMEN PHYSICISTS IN SA - (D. Grayson - dgrayson@absamail.co.za) I am carrying out a baseline study of women physicists in South Africa for Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA). As part of the study I am collecting information about women who completed BSc (Hons), MSc or PhD degrees in physics or astronomy between 1995 and 2005 inclusive. This includes South African women who studied here or abroad and international women who are now in South Africa. If you fall into one of these categories and did not get a chance to check whether I have your details at the SAIP conference, please send me an email with the following information: First name, Surname, Married name (if applicable), highest degree completed, year completed, institution where completed, telephone number(s), email and current place of work. 4. SPECIALIST GROUP MATTERS AND RELATED 4.1. COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS WORKING COMMITTEE (Nithaya Chetty (convenor) - chettyn@ukzn.ac.za) The Computational Physics Working Committee of the Theoretical Physics Specialist Group comprises the following members: Nithaya Chetty (Convenor, UKZN), Daniel Joubert (Wits), Jan Groenewald (AIMS), Jean Cleymans (UCT), Francesco Petruccione (UKZN), Thuto Mosuang (Limpopo), Moritz Braun (Unisa), Mark Honer (CHPC), Geoffrey Munyeme (U. Zambia - African Representative). This committee is beginning deliberations to produce a strategy for developing computational physics in South Africa. Several meetings of committee members and selected computational physicists are planned over the course of the next year. If you would like to contribute to these discussions and to the writing of the report, please notify me of your interest. You may also simply make a written submission to the committee on any aspect related to this project. 5. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, ETC 5.1. SA ASTRONOMY WORKSHOP 2007: SALT AND THE VO (Anslyn John - johnan@ukzn.ac.za) Following the SALT Board and Science Working Group meetings being held in Durban on 22-24 October 2007, we are hosting a 2-day workshop on 26-27 October 2007 in Durban at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With SALT commissioning making substantial progress, the workshop will have a combined focus on SALT science, SALT astronomy tools and an introduction to the Virtual Observatory. In addition to formal presentations, the workshop will include several hands-on sessions in which participants will become familiar with the SALT astronomy tools and the Virtual Observatory (UK AstroGrid) software. Participants will include all interested parties from the SA astronomy community, representatives of SALT partners who will stay on after the Board and SWG meetings and representatives of the UK AstroGrid project. We will cover reasonable travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses for participants. A registration page will be available at http://www.acru.ukzn.ac.za/salt_workshop The workshop is funded by the Department of Science and Technology via the Human Capacity Development in Multi-Wavelength Astronomy programme. 5.2. 2007 NATIONAL MEETING OF CHPC (Jeff Chen - jyjchen@csir.co.za) The 2007 National Meeting of the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) is scheduled to take place from the 3 - 5 December at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Key parties such as the DST, Meraka, SANReN and the executives from the universities will also be invited to take part in the general discussion session. Therefore we highly encourage you to attend this event and provide us your valuable input in attempt to promote the computational research/education in south Africa. This year, a variety of scientific breakaway sessions will be introduced in the National Meeting in attempt to stimulate research discussions amongst the researchers and students. Your participation and scientific contribution (both oral or poster) will be highly appreciated. Please kindly contact, Ms Deidre Raubenheimer (Email: deidre.raubenheimer@uct.ac.za ) by for registration forms, which must be returned by Friday 2 November at the latest. For further information, please feel free to contact me directly (jyjchen@csir.co.za or 021 658 2774 (during office hours) or 072 222 7119). The CHPC is also planning on hosting a System Admins workshop from the 6 -7 December. As soon as the details are finalised, we will distribute it to the community. 5.3. ICRM 2007 CONFERENCE (Bruce Simpson - bsimpson@nmisa.org) The National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) will be hosting the 16th international conference on Radionuclide Metrology and its Applications (ICRM 2007) in Cape Town during 3 to 7 September 2007, being held under the auspices of the International Committee for Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM). Full details are available on the ICRM 2007 website www.icrm2007.org.za ( http://www.icrm2007.org.za/ )or contact info@icrm2007.org.zafor more information." 5.4. 10TH SAASTEC CONFERENCE, 28 - 30 NOVEMBER IN PORT ELIZABETH (D. Fish - thefish@iafrica.com) The 10th annual conference of the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC) will be held from 28 - 30 November in Port Elizabeth. The conference will be hosted by Bayworld, and promises to be full of interesting and thought-provoking sessions. More information and conference forms available at www.saastec.co.za. 5.5. SIXTH SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED MECHANICS 26 - 28 MARCH 2008, CAPE TOWN (I. Gledhill - igledhil@csir.co.za)) The South African Conference on Applied Mechanics (SACAM) is held every two years as a forum for presenting the latest developments in all branches of applied mechanics. This is the sixth in a series of successful conferences that have been held in South Africa. The past SACAM conferences attracted both local and international participants and have proven to be excellent forums for the discussion of latest developments in applied mechanics. SACAM08 will follow in this tradition, and welcomes the participation of delegates from all parts of the world. It is aimed at bringing together scientists, engineers and applied mathematicians from academia and the industry in order to encourage scientific interchange of ideas in applied mechanics. The participation of postgraduate students is especially welcome. For more information visit http://www.samechanics.co.za/sacam.htm or contact: oliverg@cput.ac.za 5.6. SAIP CONFERENCES BEFORE 1969 (J. Padayachee - secretary@saip.org.za) I am trying to compile a list of conference hosts of SAIP conferences and unfortunately only have information relating to conferences held after 1969. I would therefore appreciate any information on conferences held before 1969. 6. PRIZES AND AWARDS 6.1. YOUNG SCIENTIST'S PRIZE IN ASTROPHYSICS (Patricia Whitelock - paw@saao.ac.za) The Commission on Astrophysics of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics solicits nominations for its 2008 prize for an outstanding young astrophysicist, to be presented in December, 2008 at the 24th "Texas" Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics in Victoria, BC, Canada. Candidates for the prize must not have completed more than 8 years of post-PhD research and related activities at the time the of the award. The prize will consist of an IUPAP Medal, travel expenses to the meeting where it is presented, and possibly a small cash award. The winner will probably be asked to give a short talk about the work for which the prize is awarded at the meeting. Nominations can come from any astrophysicist who knows the nominee's work well. A nomination should consist of a letter explaining the nominee's qualifications, a complete CV and list of publications, and two letters of support, at least one of which must come from someone who is not at the nominee's institution, is not a past mentor, and is not a frequent co-author or other close collaborator. Materials must arrive by March 1, 2008 for full consideration. Nominations should be sent to the Acting Chair and the Secretary of the Commission and to the Chair of the Selection Committee. Acting Chair: M. Victoria Fonseca, Dept. Fisica Atomica, Molecular y Nuclear, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E- 28040 Madrid, Spain, fonseca@gae.ucm.es Commission Secretary: Patricia Whitelock, South African Astronomical Observatory ,PO Box 9, 7935 Obervatory, South Africa, paw@saao.ac.za Selection Committee Chair: Virginia Trimble, Physics Dept, Univ of California, Irvine CA 92697-4575, USA, vtrimble@uci.edu The first, 2006, prize was awarded to Marta Burgay of Italy, for discovery and characterization of the first double pulsar. She received the award and spoke at the December 2006 "Texas" Symposium in Melbourne, Australia.