sci.op-research

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UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE (Australia)
Faculty of Science and Information Technology
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

The University of Newcastle (Australia) is embarking on an ambitious
programme of building research strengths in applied and computational
mathematics, including a particular focus on operations research/
optimization. Under the leadership of two new professors, Prof.
Natashia Boland and Visiting Prof. Jon Borwein, the University
intends to create a world-leading research activity. The University
is now undertaking a world-wide search for faculty to join the team.

At this time, applications for two faculty positions in the
operations
research/optimization area of the School of Mathematical and Physical
Sciences are invited. Both positions are "tenure-track". (In
Australia,
the tenure process is a little different to that in North America; we
expect all tenurable faculty hired to have their tenure confirmed
within
three years of the appointment, and only in very rare cases would
that not occur.) Both positions have flexible start dates, but the
successful applicant would preferably start as soon as possible,
ideally
no later than 1st February 2009.

One position is at the entry-level, suitable for a PhD graduate with
at least one year of postdoctoral research experience, and not more
than
five years of experience as a faculty member. (This is a "Lecturer"
level position, equivalent to an Assistant Professor in North
America.)
The second position can also be at the entry level, but more
experienced
people are also encouraged to apply; the level of appointment can be
made
at the "Senior Lecturer" level, (equivalent to Associate Professor in
North
America), if this is appropriate to the strength and experience of
the
successful applicant.

The University of Newcastle is a major research university in
Australia,
increasingly recognized internationally as a rapidly emerging
educational
institution. The University of Newcastle is ranked in the top ten in
Australia for research funding and outcomes, and is one of the world's
top
100 universities for engineering / technology and computer sciences
(Shanghai Jiao Tong University rankings by field 2007).

The main campus is located in the city of Newcastle, on the coast
about
two hours drive north from Sydney. The School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences provides a stimulating and supportive environment
for
research and teaching, with ample opportunities for collaborative
research
partnerships both within the university and with industry.
Although well known for its beautiful beaches and pleasant climate,
Newcastle is also home to a significant port, and Australia's largest
coal-handling terminal. Newcastle is also at the gateway of one of
Australia's largest wine-growing regions, the Hunter valley. It is
also
home to top-class medical and medical research facilities, affiliated
with
the University, which is ranked 63 in the world for biomedical
research. Thus
opportunities for research in shipping, transportation, mineral
resources,
agriculture, health and medicine abound.

The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences offers Bachelor
degree
programs, with a Bachelor of Mathematics, and a joint Bachelor of
Mathematics/Computer Science, as well as teaching into Bachelors of
Science
and Engineering, Master degree programs (Master of Medical Physics
and
Master of Mathematics) and a Ph.D. program.

Research strengths of the school include the areas of Discrete
Mathematics,
Functional Analysis, Topological Algebra, Statistics, Medical
Physics,
Surface Physics, and Plasma Waves. New strengths in the areas of
Computational
Mathematics and Operations Research/Optimization are now being
developed.

For more information about the University and School, refer to the
website:

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/

The successful applicants must have a PhD in a field of optimization/
operations research, and a demonstrated ability to carry out
excellent
research publishable in top-quality international journals. He/she
must
also demonstrate highly effective teaching capability, the ability to
work constructively as part of a team, and the potential to
collaborate
across research disciplines. Evidence of scientific and
organizational
capacity, educational innovation, and administrative effectiveness is
desired, as are indications of research leadership potential, the
ability to formulate and carry out an independent research programme,
and
the potential to supervise graduate research.

The positions are full teaching and research positions. The
successful
applicant can expect to contribute to teaching, research and
administration in
the school, and to promote the discipline through service to the
profession
and community. He/she can also expect to initiate his/her own
programme of
research, to seek and develop funding sources to support it, and to
supervise
graduate students.

Applications received before Monday 28th April 2008 will receive
full consideration. To apply, please follow the instructions available
at

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/employment/index.html

Look for position numbers 923 (Senior Lecturer) and 924 (Lecturer),
as
appropriate.

Professor Natashia Boland
The University of Newcastle
Callaghan, NSW 2308
Australia
(currently best contacted at natashia@unimelb.edu.au for enquiries)

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