Dear {Contact_First_Name},
The 2026 Intergenerational Report underscores a critical challenge: Australia faces a growing deficit between the scientific capability we need and the workforce we are building. While the report understates the transformative impact of quantum technologies—which I believe will redefine our society over the coming decades just as the silicon transistor did over the last forty years—it rightly highlights our workforce pipeline. Australia’s future depends on young people choosing physics and mathematics, advancing into research and industry, and building the capabilities that underpin these next-generation technologies.
To that end, we have a number of events and career initiatives coming up in November and December: - Physics in Industry Day (12 November, CSIRO Lindfield): Former Australian Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AM will join us to explore where physics qualifications can take you in government, public policy, and national priority sectors like quantum and nuclear capability.
- AIP Congress 2026 (7–11 December, University of Sydney): Alongside our core scientific program, Congress features public lectures from NASA exoplanet scientist Dr Jessie Christiansen and Veritasium’s Dr Derek Muller, the Australian Physics Career Fair, Australian Physics Teachers Day, and the Congress Dinner on Sydney Harbour. Register at aip.org.au/congress.
- Physics Wikipedia Edit-a-thon (9 November, University of Sydney): A collaborative effort to improve the visibility and representation of Australian women physicists on Wikipedia.
On the policy front, a major development this week is the release of the Exposure Draft for the 2026 National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Roadmap. National infrastructure—from high performance computing to advanced instrumentation—is the backbone of physics research in Australia. Public consultation is open until 26 October. While the Exec and Policy Committee are reviewing the draft to formulate our submission, I encourage members and facility leaders to participate directly via the 2026 NRI Roadmap Exposure Draft Consultation and share your priorities with our Policy Committee.
We also continue to support the Australian Academy of Science's "Restore Science" campaign. With national R&D expenditure sitting well below international benchmarks, securing long-term investment is critical. If you haven't already, please take a moment to write to your local member at restorescience.com.au.
Finally, my congratulations to Dr Karelle Siellez on concluding her highly successful Painting the Universe Marie Curie Lecture Series in Tasmania this evening where she will receive the Women in Physics Lecturer Medal. I’m also delighted to share that Dr Sophie Zhao (ANU) will be our 2027 Women in Physics Lecturer.
As always, keep using your position, influence, and enthusiasm to advocate for Australian physics. Every chance you get, push for our discipline at the decision-making table (and keep reminding companies why they need a Chief Physicist!). |
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Dr Stuart Midgley President, Australian Institute of Physics |
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Australian Physics Career Fair
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Are you a physicist looking to start your career or explore physics opportunities in a new industry? Are you an employer seeking talented people with a physics background? The Australian Physics Career Fair is designed to connect employers with undergraduate, honours, master’s and PhD students, early-career physicists, and graduates seeking to apply their skills across a range of industries. This free event will showcase the breadth of opportunities available to those with a physics background. In addition to meeting with exhibitors, attendees can participate in a series of short presentations and workshops throughout the afternoon. The fair is held in conjunction with AIP Congress 2026, with thanks to our sponsor PsiQuantum and event partner Sydney Quantum Academy. Go online to register to exhibit or attend. |
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In brief: events, opportunities & updates
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Could your STEM skills help shape Australia’s future submarine capability? Applications are open for the Propel: Australian Submarine Scholarship Program , providing students with access to education and career opportunities associated with AUKUS. Successful scholars receive $5,000 over two years, plus opportunities to connect with ATSE, the Australian Submarine Agency and the broader nuclear-powered submarine enterprise. Applications close 2 October 2026. Apply now.
Vicphysics Teachers’ Network is seeking women in physics and engineering to speak at its 2027 Girls in Physics Breakfasts across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Speakers will share their careers, research and experiences with Years 10–12 students. Honoraria, travel and accommodation are provided. Nominations close 6 November 2026. Apply now.
Where can physics take you in government? Join former Australian Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM at the AIP Physics in Industry Day to explore careers, quantum and nuclear capability, public policy and how scientists can influence Australia’s future. 12 November, CSIRO Lindfield, Sydney. Register now.
Help put Australian women physicists on Wikipedia. Join our Sydney Edit-a-thon on 9 November to learn from Wikimedia Australia and improve profiles of women in physics. Thanks to our sponsors: University of Sydney School of Physics, gemaker, Wikimedia Australia and the AIP NSW Branch. Register now.
The 2026 AIP Physics in the Pub recordings are now available to watch and share. Whether you missed the event or want to revisit the conversations, catch up with the talks and discussions on the AIP YouTube playlist. Watch now. |
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#Physics Got Me Here
From electron particles and waves to quantum computing: How physics led Muhammad Usman to the promise of solving some of our biggest challenges.
For Professor Muhammad Usman, a childhood strength in mathematics and a passion for science led to a career at the forefront of quantum computing.
Now Professor of Quantum Computing at Monash University, Usman develops algorithms and software tools that harness quantum mechanics, while leading researchers and training the next generation of quantum scientists.
His career has spanned fundamental and applied research, including four years at CSIRO, where he worked on translating scientific discoveries into real-world applications.
Looking ahead, Usman is excited by the potential for a century of quantum physics knowledge to be transformed into useful technologies.
“Physics got me here by teaching me how to be curious and keep digging deeper and deeper until I find an answer.”
Read Usman’s #PhysicsGotMeHere story.
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Physics in the news
Physicists at the LUX-ZEPLIN detector have identified an intriguing event that could point to dark matter or a new particle interaction. One of the Australian physicists on the team, AIP member Dr Theresa Fruth, called the result very exciting. More detections are needed to confirm the finding.
2026 AIP Marie Curie Lecturer Dr Karelle Siellez joined ABC Radio National’s Sunday Extra to explore what happens when neutron stars collide. Karelle, from the University of Tasmania, is touring Australia with Painting the Universe, bringing gravitational waves and other cosmic events to life through science, art and music. Listen now.
Professor Rod Boswell has received the 2026 University of Michigan Prize for Excellence in Plasma Science and Engineering. The AIP member and ANU emeritus professor was recognised for inventing high-density helicon plasmas and pioneering applications spanning semiconductor manufacturing and satellite propulsion.
Cosmic rays constantly strike Earth’s atmosphere, creating vast showers of particles. Now physicists have recreated these collisions at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, colliding oxygen ions with protons for the first time to better understand how these cosmic rainstorms form.
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AIP Membership
Free Teacher Associate Membership
The AIP has launched a free Teacher Associate membership category for Australian school teachers. Find out more.
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Careers
Jobs board
The AIP is partnering with Physics World Jobs to deliver a dedicated jobs board for physics-related roles. Employers can post both paid listings and complimentary ads, with free postings featured for up to two weeks. Find out more.
Australian Physics World Careers 2026 guide
The Australian Physics World Careers 2026 guide showcases the diverse career pathways available to physicists, highlighting the breadth of work undertaken across industry, research, government and beyond. This year's edition features leaders from UK intelligence agency GCHQ, explores careers in nuclear energy and offers practical career advice. Read the 2026 guide here.
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Thank you to our supporters
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The Australian Institute of Physics, PO Box 73, Parkville 3052, VIC Australia.
You are receiving this bulletin from the Australian Institute of Physics because you are a valued stakeholder. Would you like to become a member, or renew your membership with the AIP? Members receive discounts to events, online and physical copies of the Australian Physics magazine, be able to be nominated for prizes and awards, have access to travel money, support physics in Australia and more! Join Australia's leading physicists today here. To renew your AIP membership, click here.
Sent by Science in Public, on behalf of the Australian Institute of Physics, aip.org.au. Send enquiries and contributions by the 20th of each month to physics@scienceinpublic.com.au. |
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