Division of Environmental and Life Sciences

News From the Dean
The weekly update from the Dean of Division, A/Prof Kevin McCracken

A Climate for Change
Macquarie Exploring the Positives for Climate Change

Opportunities
- Garvan Institute Job Opportunities
- CSIRO Opportunities: Wealth from Oceans Flagship

Events
- Professional Development Seminar at the Department of Health and Chiropractic
- Genes to Geosciences Seminar "Do the Laws of Ecology Lie?"
- Department of Physical Geography Seminar asks what can aeolian dust do for climate change...
- ELS Seminar Series

News from the Dean

Dear Colleagues

Welcome to another edition of Science News. Lots of activity around the courtyard last week with the Careers Fair attended by many young school students - hopefully future Macquarie students!

The new Executive Dean, Stephen Thurgate, met with the Heads of Departments and Associate Deans of ELS at our fortnightly meeting last Monday. As one of the things to get all the players (ICS, ELS, CISAB, Statistics) in the planned Faculty of Science starting to get to know each other, Stephen is planning to hold a mini research conference for staff and postgrads in July. Tuesday July 15 has been selected as the date and the Mason Theatre (and E7B Courtyard) booked as the venue. Brief presentations will be given in the Mason Theatre and the Courtyard will be used for poster displays, etc.

The planning for the conference is still in the early stages, but the hope is that all major research areas will be represented and able to participate. Some staff at that time of year will probably be off at conferences or out on fieldwork, but there should be enough people around from all major research areas. More information will be circulated about the conference as planning progresses.

A message from IT:- if you have any University owned computers or their monitors etc to throw out please place a helpdesk request for us to deal with it. http://www.els.mq.edu.au/it-helpdesk/ . Do NOT take these to the eWaste Day yourself as we need to record the disposal of University assets etc.

Finally, welcome to Sandie Rudman who has joined ELS as the Student Support Officer for the Division. Sandie has a BSc and PG Cert in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Macquarie and she has previously worked as a research assistant and part time tutor in Biology at Macquarie and taught high school science and TESOL. Her role in the Division is to provide general academic and educational support and advice to students in ELS through a holistic approach to student learning and pastoral care and to work with academic staff and the Teaching and Learning Committee to identify students at risk and to develop early intervention strategies to increase retention.

Till next week

Kevin

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A Climate for Change

"It's hard to see the positives of climate change, but they are there, mostly in the long term"

Dr Paul Willis is a palaeontologist and science reporter with the ABC who has the rare combination of understanding both deeptime and deadline. Paul has worked mostly on Australian fossil crocodiles dating back to the age of dinosaurs but has also dabbled in dinosaurs, marine reptiles and mammals.

He will host a discussion at the forthcoming Australian Institute of Biology (AIB) symposium 'A Climate For Change' following three other experts who will discuss effects of climate change on non-human species and communities. "I'm sure I can be a good caboose for you and it should be a hoot!" Paul exclaims.

As a science reporter Paul has covered a huge variety of science stories from the birth of the universe to the future of fibre optic technology. Paul has closely followed the science behind Climate Change reporting on aspects of the climatological sciences as well as first-hand reportage of some of the initial effects of Climate Change on existing species and ecosystems.

Paul's view of Climate Change has been polished and honed by his wide experience, his love of crocodiles and his pragmatism. "Every cloud has its silver lining, you just have to look at it from the right perspective", says Paul. Climate change will lead to winners and losers in the long term as changes to climatic factors impact on all life on earth. "It's hard to see the positives of Climate Change but they are there, mostly in the long term", Paul explains. Whilst some species will be forced to extinction others will survive and flourish.

"I strongly recommend investors to buy shares in cockroaches", he says with his usual tongue in cheek style emphasizing one potential winner of Climate Change.

Dr Willis will lead a discussion for a national group of participants at an upcoming AIB symposium on Climate Change being held at Sydney 's Macquarie Graduate School of Management in North Ryde on 30 May 2008 . Paul quipped that to get the discussion flowing, his theme may be "how I came to love Climate Change".

The Executive Officer of the AIB, Dr Geoff Crawford, said the symposium, called 'A Climate For Change' , "will attract scientists, academics, teachers and students from all areas of biology."

"A strong field of speakers will contribute - Prof Lesley Hughes (Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University), Prof Chris Dickman (School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney) and Prof Mike Archer (Dean, Faculty of Science, University of NSW)", Dr Crawford said.

When: Friday 30th May 2008 , 5.00 - 11.00 pm
Where: Macquarie Graduate School of Management, North Ryde
Register at www.aibiol.org.au or for queries contact Dr Geoff Crawford at 0412 599 649.

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Opportunities

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Garvan Institute Job Opportunities

Job 1: Research Assistant - Diabetes Group

The Diabetes Research Group focuses on the mechanisms of insulin resistance and novel therapies for diabetes with both in vitro and in vivo studies to identify anti-diabetic molecules and the mechanism involved and is seeking a full-time Research Assistant to support this research.

Selection Criteria:

• honours degree in molecular or cell biology demonstrating a consistently high level of undergraduate achievement
• knowledge of cell culture and willingness to perform animal studies
• must be interested in learning, developing and applying novel techniques, and have a genuine enthusiastic love for science

Job 2: Research Group: Kraegen Research Assistant - Diabetes Research

The Diabetes and Obesity Research Program comprises several interactive Research Groups investigating the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms of insulin action and insulin resistance.  Within this program, the David James Laboratory focuses on the relationship between energy balance and insulin action.

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Wealth from Oceans is currently a $72M p.a. research initiative that is in its fifth year of operation as one of the CSIRO-initiated National Research Flagships. Its program structure spans six major themes:

The Flagship operates in a matrix environment across ~12 divisions of CSIRO. The Flagship office team currently comprises a Director, Executive Officer, Finance Manager, Communications Manager and Executive Assistant. The team is based in North Ryde (NSW) and works closely with its theme and stream leaders, science partners (internal and external) and other corporate functional areas all over Australia to ensure seamless development, delivery and communication of the research outcomes.

This appointment provides an opportunity to join a major and challenging initiative. The Science Director will manage significant marine and ocean science activities in close cooperation with leaders in each of the Flagship’s themes.

As Science Director you will join our small, externally focused team led by the Flagship Director. You will oversee the integration and delivery of science with senior researchers both within CSIRO and in partner organisations. To be successful you must: be innovative, imaginative and a self starter who excels in unstructured environments where you set and lead the overall science agenda; enjoy interacting with people from a wide range of institutions and backgrounds, and have excellent strategic, organisational and coordination skills; have well-honed skills in knowledge exchange, research coordination and program management; and have demonstrated senior level expertise in a science leadership role and have a reputation for delivery.

Position Description

The Science Director will operate in a complex, dynamic and exciting environment. It is critical that the appointee demonstrates a high level of innovation, is client-focused and is able to concurrently and effectively manage multiple actions of varying priority.

The Science Director has a critical role in ensuring that projects in the Flagship’s themes and streams are viewed from the national perspective. This means that he or she works closely with the theme and stream leaders in understanding and articulating strategic requirements and conceiving and developing project descriptions. Careful liaison over client and partner interaction, and clarity over which outcomes each piece of work is delivering to are paramount. You will also nurture and develop synergies with other major science programs within and external to CSIRO. You will require excellent communication and negotiation skills.

In short, as Science Director you will be the central science contact for planning and delivering Flagship outcomes. You must be flexible with a “can-do” attitude and positive outlook to working in a challenging and fast-moving environment. You must have a commitment to bringing projects to completion within agreed timeframes.

Meeting strategic and tactical needs: You will need to be able to clearly articulate and conceptually build an integrated set of science activities to ensure alignment with the Flagship’s goal. Changing Flagship priorities will need to be rapidly assimilated into research activities. Packaging of research outputs for clients in forms ready for application and to foster adoption and change is essential and will need to be carefully and often rapidly achieved while pursuing the longer-term and strategic research agenda.

Building the business: Strategically building the Flagship with the dual objectives of inclusive, world-leading science and client relevance will continue to be a challenge as the science program rolls out and delivers over the next five-year period. The group of projects already underway provides an excellent nucleus upon which to build a larger, multi-contributor science program, involving the best science expertise in Australia. Likewise, continued interaction with clients will identify further opportunities for investment.

Collaboration: The Science Director will, at times, be the first point of contact for other science institutions working in partnership with the Flagship. It is essential that you enjoy interacting with a range of people over a diverse set of issues and that you have strong motivations for defining and then coordinating the delivery of science to support the Flagship’s agenda.

Building the best science teams: Flagship science involves teams of scientists sourced from across key research providers, especially from within government agencies, Cooperative Research Centres, CSIRO divisions and universities and in some cases industry collaborators. As Science Director you will facilitate building the best teams to deliver leading science by drawing as appropriate on resources within or external to CSIRO.

Selection Criteria

Note: Applications must address the selection criteria in no more than three (3) pages. To assist you in preparing your application please read the information available at "Guidelines for Applicants".

To be successful you must meet the following essential selection criteria:

1. Qualifications
Qualifications in natural resources, engineering, science or related discipline with demonstrated competencies in senior level science management. – PhD qualifications would be highly regarded.

2. Strategic Planning
Demonstrated competence in conceiving, developing and implementing strategic research plans that achieve ambitious long term goals and deliver measurable impact on industry, community and/or the environment.

3. Communication
Highly developed skills in oral and written communication and a well-demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts and practical opportunities to a range of audiences.

4. Senior Leadership
Demonstrated capacity to operate effectively as part of the senior management team, clearly and consistently communicating the vision and goals, managing up and across the team and championing team decisions.

5. Collaboration
Demonstrated ability to interact and establish effective collaboration with universities, other research providers, local, state and federal governments and industry groups.

6. Program Management
Proven program and project management skills (people, finances, and clients) to monitor, evaluate and report on progress and to deliver outcomes to timelines. This may include a track record in generating and then coordinating the necessary human commitment and financial resources.

Before you apply ensure that your documents are in Text, MS Word or PDF. Ensure your file is not larger than 1MB in PDF format, or 2MB for all other formats. Your Documents will be converted into PDF format. To view these documents once converted you will need to download Adobe Reader Download Adobe Reader

For further information about CSIRO please visit www.csiro.au.
CSIRO prefers applications be lodged online via this careers site.
You are required to include two documents (1) "A document Addressing the Selection Criteria" and (2) a "Resume or CV" including the names of at least two professional referees.
Note: Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 301 509 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email: csiro-careers@csiro.au.
If you are unable to lodge your application online you can fax your application (quoting reference number) to +61 2 6246 4455 or alternatively post to:

CSIRO Careers Online
PO Box 225
DICKSON ACT 2602

Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact Kate Wilson, Director, Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship via email kate.wilson@csiro.au or phone +61 2 9490 8448 Please do not email your application directly to Dr Wilson. Applications received via this method will not be considered. You must use the 'Apply Now' link, or an alternative method of submission as outlined above.

If you would like more information on the Wealth from Oceans Flagship please visit our website at http://www.csiro.au/org/WealthOceansFlagship.html

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Events

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Professional Development Seminar at the Department of Health and Chiropractic

This Professional Development course will be held on May 31st -Theory session, and Practical Session on either June 14th or 15th. For additional details, and to register, please follow the links to the SMA course on the PD News section of the Department of Health and Chiropractic's webpage: www.chiro.mq.edu.au

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"Do the Laws of Ecology Lie?"

by Prof Mark Colyvan, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry,  
University of Sydney

Wednesday 21st May, 1-2 pm in E8A 290 (Biology tea room).

Seminar abstract:
In this paper I address the question of laws in ecology. It is a  widely held view that ecology, in part because of its complexity, is not a law-governed discipline. According to this view, ecology is quite unlike physics in this regard. I will argue against this view, suggesting that either both physics and ecology have laws, or neither does. At the very least, none of the existing arguments against laws in ecology serves to single out ecology.

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Department of Physical Geography Seminar

Date: Thursday 22nd May
Place & time: E5A143, 1pm
Presenter: Professor Patrick De Deckker, Research School of  Earth Sciences, ANU
Title: Preliminary findings on the geochemical and microbiological fingerprinting of Australian aeolian dust: Implications for (past) climates, the environment, health and the oceans

Abstract:
Understanding the origin and composition of Australian dust has implications on the environment, ocean and human health. However, there is scant published information on the chemical and biological composition of airborne dust from the Australian continent. For example, an isotopic comparison of aeolian material from the southern continents with dust recovered in Antarctic ice cores listed only 5 samples for the entire Australian continent, and consequently argued for a Patagonian source during glacial periods for dust recovered at Vostok.

This presentation will concentrate on an intensive, multidisciplinary and collaborative analysis of dust from the October 22, 2002 "Canberra dust storm" event.  Interestingly, DNA from 45 different microbial species was extracted from the dust, and a great variety of organic compounds were also found. Using a variety of geochemical and palynological 'fingerprinting' analyses, including investigations of Nd and Sr, isotopes linked the dust that rained down in Canberra to the Bourke area of western NSW.  Investigation of the meteorological events at this time corroborated with these results.

Further investigation of different isotopes of Nd, Pb and Sr, demonstrates that Australian dust has clearly been linked, for particular episodes of the Late Quaternary, to Antarctic ice cores. The Australian origin of the dust will be discussed.
Finally, preliminary investigations by Dr G. Allison and Mr D. Stephenson from the School of Biochemisry and Molecular Biology at ANU on of the microbiological communities isolated from aerosols pumped at sea offshore Australia will be presented.

Discussion will lead to the potential effects of airborne dust on coral and human health, soil fertility and past and future climates.

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ELS Seminar Series

Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here.

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Snippets

WA has best offshore wind site
Western Australia has Australia's best offshore windfarm site, according to research, though while Australia has spare land offshore wind probably won't be used.

Weird shrimp has amazing vision
Researchers have discovered that the strange looking mantis shrimp has unique polarised vision that allows it to see a world invisible to all other animals.

Site checks originality of ideas
A new site has been created that allows entrepreneurs and inventors to check whether their revolutionary idea or invention is really a new one.

Universe really twice as bright
An international collaboration has found that the Universe is really twice as bright as previously thought, with dust clouding much of the starlight generated.

Memory cells may be replaceable
Scientists have discovered the resident stem cell in the part of the brain that stores memories, and have found out how to activate it to produce new neurons.

Receptor may control heroin addiction
Researchers have discovered that an adenosine receptor plays a major role in the regulation of heroin addictions, providing hope for new treatments.

Fish conformity zealous but discerning
Desire to conform can be so strong in lone fish that they will follow another fish into danger, though in crowds they stay with more popular trends, research has found.

New research helps ostriches orgasm
Scientists have developed a safer method of manually collecting ostrich sperm using a dummy, rather than human, sexual partner for the powerful males.

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