South African Institute of Physics Newsletter - November 2007 Editor : Judith Ncapayi (noxolo.ncapayi@eskom.co.za) Contents 1. Vacancy : HMO Internship 2. Vacancies : Department of Physics, University of the Western Cape 3. Vacancy : Nuclear Engineering, University of Cape Town 4. Summer School in Theoretical Physics : University of Stellenbosch 5. XLAB Göttingen Experimental Laboratory for Young People 6. 10th Conference of Science Centre Association 7. Entrepreneurship for Physicists and Engineers [1]. Internship Vacancy - Hermanus Magnetic Observatory Contact person : Lee-Anne McKinnell (Email : L.McKinnell@ru.ac.za) HMO Webpage: http://www.hmo.ac.za; Ionospheric Data: http://ionosond.ru.ac.za The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) is looking for an intern to assist in the HMO?s Science Outreach Center. Recent graduates who are interested in applying should have at least a BSc degree with Physics as one of their majors and an interest in Space Physics. The Science Outreach Center at the HMO holds workshops for school learners and educators, as well as performing a marketing function for physics. Therefore, the suitable candidate should be willing to demonstrate basic physics concepts, and be enthusiastic about science. The ability to speak English is a requirement and the ability to speak Xhosa would be an advantage although not essential. The internship will be for one year starting in January 2008, and the intern will be required to move to Hermanus for that period. Please note that this position is only available to South African citizens. Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply before 26 November 2007 by sending the following information to info@hmo.ac.za a) A curriculum vitae which includes an academic transcript detailing subjects taken and marks received. b) A covering letter motivating why you feel that you are suitable for this position and what your future plans are. c) A copy of your South African ID document. d) A contact email address or phone number and postal address. Should candidates not have access to email the application may be faxed to : 028 312 2039 [2] Vacancies - Department of Physics, University of the Western Cape Contact person : Angela Adams (aadams@uwc.ac.za) The Department of Physics enjoys an excellent reputation for its research activities and for its focus on producing quality graduates to contribute to national needs. The Department concentrates on research in Solid State Physics, Nuclear Physics and Physics Education. A programme on Material Science and Applied Physics housed in the department is a Research Niche Area approved by the National Research Foundation. (a) Vacancy - Lecturer in Physics The Physics Department wishes to appoint a lecturer (two-year contract) to assist with undergraduate teaching with effect from 1 January 2008. Requirements for the post include: · At least a Masters degree in Physics · A commitment to educational innovation · Proven ability in teaching · A commitment to engage in research in one of the Department's research areas Your application should highlight your strengths and experience as a teacher and researcher and should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and the names and full contact particulars e.g., e-mail addresses, telephone and cell numbers and/or postal addresses of three referees. (b) Vacancy - Academic Development Lecturer The Physics Department wishes to appoint an academic development lecturer (two-year contract) to assist with the undergraduate programme with effect from 1 January 2008. The successful applicant will be expected to work with staff and students to support teaching and learning innovations in the curriculum and assessment practices within the department. This person will also have teaching and research responsibilities that will inform academic development initiatives. Requirements for the post include: · Preferably a Masters degree in Physics or Science Education · A commitment to educational innovation · Proven ability to teach · A commitment to engage in research that will inform academic development initiatives Your application should highlight your strengths and experience as a teacher and researcher and should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and the names and full contact particulars e.g., e-mail addresses, telephone and cell numbers and/or postal addresses of three referees. For further information regarding these contract positions, contact Ms. Pauline Cloete (pcloete@uwc.ac.za) , Human Resources: or Angela Adams (aadams@uwc.ac.za), Department of Physics on +27 21 959-2327 The closing date for applications : 16 November 2007. [3] Vacancy - Professor/Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer Nuclear Engineering Contact person : C.T. Gaunt (Ct.Gaunt@uct.ac.za) The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, in close collaboration with South Africa's major electricity utility, Eskom, is embarking on an exciting new development to become the preferred provider of nuclear engineering graduates for South Africa's burgeoning energy supply industry. Students in general degree streams such as electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering, will have the opportunity to gain specific nuclear engineering knowledge through relevant nuclear courses in each discipline. We are seeking to appoint a person with nuclear engineering experience to lead this development. Duties will include: (a) preparing and teaching undergraduate courses in nuclear engineering (b) interacting with specialists in other Departments to present undergraduate courses that contribute to nuclear engineering education (c) planning and presenting intensive short courses to nuclear engineers employed in Eskom's Nuclear Portfolio (d) leading the development of a strategic plan for the undergraduate education of nuclear engineers associated with the three above mentioned disciplines (e) initiating nuclear engineering research in areas that will build on existing strengths in the Faculty. The successful applicant will have a higher degree in nuclear engineering or a cognate discipline, as well as experience in the field of nuclear engineering. The post is a three-year contract appointment commencing in January 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter, with the potential for becoming a permanent appointment subject to the incumbent demonstrating effective leadership in this role. The salary will be negotiable depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. The successful candidate will be expected to liaise closely with the local nuclear industry, which would include consulting opportunities. Expressions of interest are also invited for short-term sabbatical appointments as Visiting Scholars. Please send: a letter of motivation; your full CV (no certificates), a one-page summary of your CV including the names, e-mail and telephone details of three contactable referees to Mrs F Nhliziyo (Ref: 1526-MG), Staff Recruitment & Selection, UCT, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701 by 20 November 2007 tel: 021 650 3003 e-mail: Fiki.Nhliziyo@uct.ac.za Faculty website: www.ebe.uct.ac.za. The University of Cape Town is committed to excellence and equity, and all applications will be considered in terms of both objectives. The University's Employment Equity Policy is available at http://hr.uct.ac.za/policies/ee.php [4]. 19th Chris Engelbrecht Summer School in Theoretical Physics on "Soft Condensed Matter and Physics of Biological Systems" Contact: Kristian K. Müller-Nedebock (kkmn@physics.sun.ac.za); (www.physics.sun.ac.za/~kkmn/) The next summer school in theoretical physics will be held from 23 Jan 2008 - 1 Feb 2008 in Stellenbosch. The early registration deadline is 15 November 2007. Details and registration can be found at http://www.sun.ac.za/summerschool/2008.html . For queries, please contact physoffice@sun.ac.za [5]. XLAB Göttingen Experimental Laboratory for Young People Contact person : Eva-Maria Neher (sciencecamp@xlab-goettingen.de); (http://www.xlab-goettingen.de) XLAB would like to invite high school and first year university students from all over the world to participate in the XLAB-International Science Camps. The Camps will take place in summer 2008. The XLAB is situated on the science campus of the famous University of Goettingen (Germany, Lower Saxony). It collaborates with scientific institutes of university and affiliated research organizations. In 2008 XLAB organizes an early Camp in July and one in August. The courses cover current topics in Physics, Biology and Chemistry.The annual International Science Camps are very successful. Since the first camp in 2003, more than 200 students from at least 26 different nations participated in the camps. Three weeks of laboratory work are rounded off by an elaborate social program and a three day trip to Berlin at the end of the camp. A total of 36 students will accepted for each Camp and as usual, only 2 to 4 students from each country. A list of possible courses and further information can be found on our flyer http://server.xlab.gwdg.de/XLAB_ISC_rot.pdf. A printer-friendly version of the flyer can be found at http://server.xlab.gwdg.de/XLAB_ISC_weiss.pdf In case of further questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Besides the International Science Camp, the XLAB offers many other experimental science courses. Just have a look on our website http://www.xlab-goettingen.de XLAB heartily welcomes students from all European countries, as well as students from every place in the world! We ask teachers, scientists and political authorities to distribute this message among bright and talented students you know. Please contact us if you are interested. [6]. 10th Conference of Science Centre Association Contact person : Derek Fish (thefish@iafrica.com) ;http://scictr.uzulu.ac.za The 10th annual conference of the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centre (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. [7] Entrepreneurship for Physicists and Engineers from Developing Countries http://users.ictp.it/~smr1996/ In October/November 2005 the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics together with UNESCO organized the World Conference on Physics for Sustainable Development in Durban. An important outcome was the commitment to set up a programme on physics and economic development for people from developing countries covering protection and exploitation of intellectual property. We see this as an important means for helping developing countries. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste agreed to host the trial for such a programme in 2006. Following on from the success of the 2006 workshop, The Institute of Physics in association with ICTP and the American Physical Society are organising a similar workshop 'Entrepreneurship for Physicists and Engineers from Developing Countries' from 17 - 21 March 2008 . Further information and an online application form are available at http://users.ictp.it/~smr1996/