Information for Candidates for the Position of Professor Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION OF
PROFESSOR
CENTRE FOR GRAVITATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS
ANU College of SCIENCE CONTENTS
Message from the Director 1
The University 2
The Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics 3
About the role 4
Role Statement and Selection Criteria 5
Why choose Canberra? 6
How to apply 7
ABOVE: LIGO TEAM MEMBERS INSTALLING IN-VACUUM EQUIPMENT AS PART OF THE SQUEEZED-LIGHT UPGRADE.
FRONT PAGE: ARTIST’S DEPICTION OF A BLACK HOLE ABOUT TO SWALLOW A NEUTRON STAR. CREDIT: CARL KNOX, OZGRAV ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
The Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics (CGA) at The Australian National University has recently been established and jointly supported by the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) and the Research School of Physics (RSPhys).
The Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics aims to take a leading national role in the astrophysical follow-up of sources detected by Advanced LIGO/Virgo and in the development of future gravitational wave observatories. This will pave the way for Australia to host one of the nodes of a global third-generation gravitational wave observatory.
If you are an outstanding scientific leader looking for an exciting position where you have the opportunity to direct a new internationally collaborative centre, we would welcome your application for this position. Professor David McClelland Director, Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics The Australian National University This booklet tells you about the position, about CGA and the University, and about Canberra, which is a lovely and livable city.
ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF A BLACK-HOLE COLLISION. IMAGE CREDIT: SXS
1 Information for Candidates THE UNIVERSITY
The Australian National University Research-intensive education (ANU) is one of the world’s foremost As the specially-chartered national university, the University research universities. conducts research at the highest levels in all of its colleges, and offers a unique researchled education to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows. Distinguished by its relentless pursuit of The University advances the national intellectual and excellence, the University attracts leading creative capacity in three key ways: academics and outstanding students from 1. Through broad-based research and research intensive Australia and around the world. education in the disciplines fundamental to all knowledge: the humanities, the sciences and the social sciences, Further information about ANU can be found 2. By supporting research and research-intensive education in a at: http://www.anu.edu.au/about. spectrum of professional disciplines, and
3. By studying Australia in its various contexts. History It is the aim of the University to achieve its objectives by creating The University was established by the Commonwealth an inspirational working environment for all its staff, students Parliament in 1946 specifically to lead the development of the and visitors. intellectual capacity of the nation through research and research training in line with the best international standards. It is the In each of its endeavours, the University strives to achieve at the only Australian university established by a Commonwealth Act levels of the world’s great universities. of Parliament. In 1960, the University accepted responsibility for undergraduate education along with an expectation that the highest standards of education would be achieved. Location
The University campus has over 200 buildings and occupies 145 Scale hectares adjacent to the city centre of Canberra. The University The University has 4,300 staff, 10,286 undergraduates and also has a number of smaller campuses: 6,925 postgraduate students. Its annual revenue exceeds $1.0 billion and consolidated assets are worth $2.5 billion. > Mount Stromlo Observatory (west of Canberra)
> Siding Spring Observatory (near Coonabarabran,western New Partnerships South Wales) The University has strong links with leading research institutions > North Australia Research Unit (Darwin, Northern Territory) in Australia and overseas. It is a founding member of the International Alliance of Research Universities, a co-operative > Kioloa (coastal campus near Bawley Point, on the New South network of 10 eminent international research-intensive Wales South Coast) universities which includes: > ANU Medical School – The Canberra Hospital campus > University of Cambridge > ANU Medical School – Calvary Hospital > University of Oxford > Health Facilities in South East New South Wales > University of California, Berkeley > Yale University > Peking University > National University of Singapore > University of Tokyo > University of Copenhagen
2 Information for Candidates THE CENTRE FOR GRAVITATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS
The Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics (CGA) is a new centre CGA researchers have contributed to detection of gravitational founded to build a world-leading role for Australia in the science waves, and continuous improvement of sensitivity of the and technology of gravitational wave sources. LIGO detectors.
The centre strategically unifies the ongoing research at ANU Active fields of research at CGA span instrumentation, theory, Research School of Physics and ANU Research School of data analysis, source follow-up and multi-messenger astronomy. Astronomy and Astrophysics. Centre staff have access to the Australian National University CGA currently has eight faculty and twelve postdoctoral fellows. Computational Infrastructure on the main ANU campus, We will make six new faculty appointments in the near future, in OzSTAR Supercomputing Facility at Swinburne University of addition to the Deputy Director. Technology, and the RSAA operating Siding Spring Observatory featuring the SkyMapper telescope. The centre operates world-class facilities and collaborates with observatories and gravitational wave detectors that have a Incorporating two Australian Research Council Centres long history of research and technical activity at the forefront of of Excellence, OzGrav and EQUS, the centre facilitates astronomy and astrophysics. close collaborations with other national and international research teams.
AN ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF THE TWO NEUTRON STARS COLLIDING. IMAGE CREDIT: LSC/SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY/AURORE SIMONNET
3 Information for Candidates ABOUT THE ROLE
Purpose Statement Skill Base The CGA Professor will work with the Director to grow A Professor Level E is expected to possess advanced academic the centre into one of the world’s leading Centres of qualifications, broad expertise and deep knowledge in the gravitational astrophysics. relevant discipline area. Academic positions are expected to posses leadership skills in order to foster excellence in that field of research within the Position Dimentions & Relationships university, the discipline and/or the profession and within the scholarly and/or general community. Experience in directing The CGA Professor, will be accountable to the Director of the significant research groups, either in academia or industry, is Centre, Professor David McClelland. also expected. The Professor will work collegially, leading by example to develop and maintain effective, productive and beneficial workplace relationships within the all academic and professional School and College staff, students and honorary appointees, as well as with key industry stakeholders. This position will also have a major mentoring role for students and early career researchers and will engage in collegial and productive collaborations with local, national and international colleagues.
SKYMAPPER, THE STATE-OF-THE-ART, WIDE-FIELD SURVEY TELESCOPE, REPRESENTS A NEW VEHICLE FOR ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERY IN AUSTRALIA.
4 Information for Candidates ROLE STATEMENT & SELECTION CRITERIA
Role Statement Selection Criteria
In their role as an Academic Level E, the CGA Professor is expected to:
1. A PhD in Physics or Astrophysics, with an outstanding • Undertake and foster high impact independent research in track record of independent research in the field as evidenced gravitational wave research with a view to publishing original by highly cited publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and innovative results in international refereed journals, present and conferences, a record of developing and maintaining research at academic seminars and at prestigious national collaborations with world leading researchers and institutes and international conferences, and collaborate with other and by other measures such as prestigious awards, invitations researchers at a high international level. to give keynote addresses at leading conferences, elite membership of professional institutes etc. • Actively seek and secure external funding including leading the preparation and leadership of major multi party 2. An outstanding track record of articulating and prosecuting collaborative research proposals, e.g. Centres of Excellence. innovative research in the field and a compelling vision for the activities they will undertake and lead at the ANU. • Make a significant contribution to the teaching activities of the School at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This 3. An extensive record of leading and winning bids for includes, but is not limited to, the preparation and delivery competitive external funding to support individual and of lectures and tutorials, the preparation of online material, collaborative research activities, and the demonstrated ability to marking and assessment, consultations with students, acting identify similar opportunities for others to pursue and to provide as a subject coordinator, the initiation and development mentoring in the process. course/subject material and actively lead overall curriculum development in the discipline and across the College. 4. Evidence of effective teaching at all levels and the demonstrated ability to set the education agenda of the School • Supervise students working on individual or group projects in the applicants area of expertise. at undergraduate, honours, graduate-coursework levels. Supervision of research students. 5. An outstanding track record of successfully supervising and graduating high quality PhD/Masters research students as • Lead, supervise and develop less senior academic and evidenced by, for example, the subsequent positions held by research support staff in the School and College. these students.
• Proactively contribute to all aspects of the operation of the 6. Proven success in academic leadership, including School, College and University more broadly. This may include mentoring and developing academic colleagues to achieve taking on senior leadership and broad supervisory roles. goals. Excellent oral and written English language skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively • Lead and initiate major community outreach activities with a variety of staff and students in a cross-disciplinary including to prospective students, research institutes, industry, academic environment and to foster respectful and productive government, the media and the general public for the broader working relationships with staff, students and colleagues at benefit of the University. all levels.
• Maintain and actively promote high academic standards in 7. A demonstrated high-level understanding of equal all education, research. opportunity principles and a commitment to the application of these policies in a University context.
• Comply with all ANU policies and procedures and in particular those relating to work health and safety and equal opportunity. Background Checking • Other duties as allocated by the Director of the Centre The ANU conducts background checks on potential or the Vice-Chancellor consistent with the classification of employees, and employment in this position is conditional the position. on satisfactory results in accordance with the Background Checking Procedure which sets out the types of checks required by each type of position.
5 Information for Candidates WHY CHOOSE CANBERRA?
About Canberra Where to Live Canberra has the power to surprise, with its abundance of food, Canberra is designed to maximise the quality of life, built on wine, art, culture, ideas and innovation. As an evolving city, this a blueprint that connects people with community and nature, element of surprise continues even once you’ve made Canberra Canberra provides you the opportunity to create a unique work/ your home, with new developments, events and opportunities life balance, wherever you choose to live. constantly emerging to keep life interesting. The architects who designed Canberra, Walter and Marion Canberra is also a planned city – designed to maximise Burley Griffin, had a master plan to create a series of ‘satellite opportunities for work and play. As our Nation’s Capital, big cities’ separated by nature reserves and connected with ideas emerge, circulate and grow here, thanks to unique links major roads. between leading thinkers in business, government, education Today their vision lives on, with Canberra divided into seven and research. Our dynamic economy, highly educated workforce distinct regions of residential suburbs, each serviced by a central and an innovative business culture provide career and business business district. opportunities unique to Canberra. The resulting benefits are that commuting times are short, Our healthy appetite for outdoor pursuits is enhanced by the employment hubs are virtually on your doorstep and recreational natural resources available: from sailing on Lake Burley Griffin, facilities are within walking distance, regardless of where you live. mountain biking at the world class Mount Stromlo facility or heading up to the Snowy Mountains for a day on the slopes. Find information on the Canberra lifestyle please visit Canberra Your Future at: http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/. We are also home to most of Australia’s major national cultural institutions, with whom the University has a close relationship, and a cultural calendar overflowing with international exhibitions, arts festivals and entertainment.
6 Information for Candidates HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should provide a confidential Referees email address and suitable daytime and > Applicants must provide full contact details for three referees who have agreed to supply confidential references if requested evening telephone contact details (including by the University. mobile) as well as details of availability > Applicants should state their relationship to the referees during this period. and why they have been nominated to speak on the candidate’s behalf. > Referees will only be contacted after consultation with How to apply the candidate. Please submit your application online via the University’s online > It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure referees are willing recruitment portal. to provide reports when contacted. For applicaitons to be accepted they must contain: > The University reserves the right to seek reports on the suitability of candidates from experts in the field, other than > a full curriculum vitae those nominated by the candidate. > a response to the selection criteria > Should a candidate not wish a specific person or persons to > referee details be contacted, please advise at the time of application. > availability Availibility > Applicants are asked to provide an indication of the earliest date on which they would be available to commence duties at Curriculum Vitae the University. > details of education, professional training and qualifications > The University reserves the right to invite applications and/or > full list of publications to not make an appointment. > positions held, including relevant dates, titles Contact > reporting lines, responsibilities and key achievements For a confidential discussion, please contact: > details of teaching and research experience (as appropriate) Professor David McClelland > any other relevant information such as contributions to professional associations and learned societies, and Director, Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics community activities [email protected] Response to selection criteria Telephone: +61 02 6125 9888 Applicants are required to respond to each of the criteria, taking into account experience, past roles and expertise.
7 Information for Candidates