News and Upcoming Events
News
AINSE Visiting Scientist Program: Round 2 Applications now open (applications close 31 July 2025)
AINSE is delighted to announce the opening of the second round of applications for our newest funding opportunity, the AINSE Visiting Scientist Program.
The AINSE Visiting Scientist Program supports researchers from AINSE member universities and research institutions (excluding ANSTO) who are undertaking collaborative research at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus for a period of 4-12 weeks.
The Visiting Scientist Program provides travel support (one economy-class return flight or equivalent driving expenses) and accommodation support (up to A$1,500 per week) associated with an attachment or visit to ANSTO Lucas Heights facilities for collaborative research.
The second round of the Visiting Scientist Program will support travel for a minimum of 4 weeks’ duration, and maximum of 12 weeks’ duration, within the period of 1st October 2025 – 30th September 2026.
Round 2 applications close on 31 July 2025. For more details, including a link to the online application portal, please visit our Visiting Scientist Program page.
Marco Vás (University of Auckland)
It’s Magnetic May, and we’re powered up to explore how two AINSE scholars are transforming Australia’s tech scene — one magnetic moment at a time!
First up is AINSE PGRA scholar Marco Vás, whose groundbreaking research is harnessing spintronic technology to develop next-generation electronic materials aimed at tackling the world’s growing digital footprint.
AINSE Early Career Researcher Grant (ECRG): Applications now open
Applications for the AINSE Early Career Researcher Grant (ECRG) are now open to researchers holding a postdoctoral position at an AINSE Member Institution and planning to undertake work in collaboration with ANSTO in the period 1st October 2025 – 31st December 2026.
The AINSE ECRG is a one-time payment of up to A$10,000 (excl. GST) offered to postdoctoral scholars who are in their first five years (full-time equivalent) of employment in a research role at an AINSE member university or organisation – with allowances made for career breaks of a reasonable time frame.
Applications will be received up to 11:59pm AEST 31st July 2025. For further information, and to apply, please visit our ECRG website.
Sarah Cooley (University of Melbourne)
What can an ancient tree tell us about the future of bushfire management?
Continuing Bushfire Awareness April, we’re spotlighting AINSE PGRA scholar Sarah Cooley, whose groundbreaking research is uncovering what Tasmania’s ancient Pencil Pine can teach us about how we respond to fire in a changing climate.
Micheline Campbell (University of New South Wales)
As Australia’s bushfire seasons grow ever longer due to climate change, we turn our attention to the important bushfire research conducted by two AINSE scholars as part of Bushfire Awareness April.
First up, we’re spotlighting the incredible work of Dr. Micheline Campbell, a UNSW researcher and AINSE ECRG recipient, who uncovers ancient records of Australia’s bushfire history preserved in speleothem caves.
Samantha Alloo (The University of Canterbury)
We are adding an extra dose of innovation to our Medical March spotlights, as we showcase the groundbreaking work of Samantha Alloo, an AINSE PGRA scholar, whose research investigates how multimodal signals can enhance conventional X-rays.
Jessie Posar (The University of Wollongong)
We’re prescribing a dose of innovation this March as we launch into Medical March spotlighting the groundbreaking work of Jessie Posar, an AINSE ECGR recipient, whose research contributes to the development of advanced sensors for future treatments in radiation therapy.
29th AINSE Winter School: Expressions of Interest now open (applications extended, now closing 31 May 2025)
The annual AINSE Winter School offers a unique opportunity for senior undergraduate students to discover the potential for postgraduate research in nuclear science and technology, and related research fields.
In the online component of the 2025 event (7-15 July), students can meet and engage with future ANSTO research collaborators, gain deep insight into ANSTO’s landmark research facilities, and network with other like-minded students from all across Australia and New Zealand.
Online participants can apply for a further opportunity to explore world-class ANSTO research facilities in person in September, after the online event.
Applications for the 29th AINSE Winter School are open to all senior undergraduate students interested in learning about the techniques of nuclear analysis. Such techniques have applications across a wide range of disciplines, including archaeology, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, materials science, medicine, nanotechnology, physics, and more.
Please visit our Winter School page for more information, and the link to the application portal. Expressions of interest close 31st May 2025.
Daniel Yu (Australian National University)
To finish off our Fungi February series, we’re spotlighting Daniel Yu, an AINSE PGRA scholar, whose research explores how plants are using their immune defences to fight back in the ongoing battle against those pesky pathogenic fungi.
Carl McCombe (Australian National University)
We are fighting back against fungi this February, as we explore the growing research around pathogenic fungi. To begin our spotlights for Fungi February, AINSE is sharing the research of Carl McCombe, an AINSE PGRA scholar, who has done incredible work delving into the relationship between fungal pathogens and plant disease.
Research Spotlight: Rose-Anne Bell (University of Western Australia)
We are flowing into the new year here at AINSE, with Hydrogeology January, continuing our Research Spotlight Series for 2025! This month we are excited to share the incredible work of AINSE PGRA scholar Rose-Anne Bell, whose research led her to the Western Australian Wilderness to investigate the potential hydrogeological processes underlying an important WA river system.
2024 Year in Review
As 2024 draws to a close, we are delighted to look back at an exciting year filled with successful student events and lots of high-quality research from our wonderful scholars.
The AINSE team wish you a safe and happy festive season and we look forward to seeing you for another great year in 2025!
Research Spotlight: Lottie Stevenson (University of Wellington)
To continue our Polar December series, AINSE are spotlighting Lottie Stevenson, an AINSE Pathway scholar, whose research took her to the edge of the world to investigate the history of Antarctica’s geological past hidden in glacier rocks.
Research Spotlight: Rebecca Duncan (University of Technology Sydney/UNIS Svalbard)
With only seven sleeps to Christmas, AINSE wants to sprinkle some festive cheer and celebrate our remarkable AINSE scholars in our newest Spotlight Series for the month of December. First off the sled for Polar December is PGRA scholar Rebecca Duncan, who has journeyed to the Arctic’s frozen ocean to investigate the impacts of Climate Change on the polar marine food web.
AINSE 8th Annual WISE School wraps up!
It was a wonderful week for women in STEM as AINSE wrapped up another successful Women in STEM Entrepreneurship (WISE) School on December 2nd– 6th. Over the course of the week, seventy undergraduate students engaged with inspiring women across the STEM industry and began a yearlong mentorship program that will continue throughout 2025.
Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE): Applications now open
AINSE, in partnership with ANSTO, the Embassy of France in Australia and the Embassy of France in New Zealand, are delighted to announce that applications for the next round of the SAAFE Program are now open for international travel in the period 1st October 2025 – 31st December 2026.
The Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE) Program is an exciting international exchange opportunity open to Early Career Researchers at the PhD and postdoctoral level. Each successful applicant is provided with costs towards a return flight and up to A$200 per week (up to a maximum of 26 weeks) to support accommodation expenses associated with a visit from:
- Australia/New Zealand to France, or
- France to Australia.
The SAAFE Program supports Early Career Researchers to expand research and innovation activities with Health, Environment and Nuclear Technologies, and to initiate sustainable research networks and linkages to support Australia, New Zealand and France in research and innovation.
Eligible applicants must be a PhD student in, or hold a postdoctoral appointment at, a French university or AINSE-member university. The research project must be in collaboration with at least one researcher employed by ANSTO or another Australian AINSE-member institution, and at least one researcher employed by a French university or French research institution.
The research internship is required to take place over 8 – 26 weeks between 1st October 2025 and 31st December 2026.
Applications close 1st July 2025. For more information, including a link to the online application portal and the terms & conditions, please visit our SAAFE website.
AINSE Pathway Scholarships: Applications now open
AINSE are now welcoming applications for 2025 AINSE Pathway Scholarships. Eligible students from AINSE Member institutions who will be enrolled in any Honours program OR Masters program, for some period between 1st January 2025 and 31st March 2025, are welcome to apply.
AINSE Pathway Scholars will receive a one-off A$5,000 stipend to assist them in their studies, and in their research in collaboration with ANSTO.
Applications close on 15 March 2025. For more details, including terms & conditions and a link to our online application portal, please visit our Pathway Scholarship page.
AINSE 2024 Postgraduate O’Week wraps up!
AINSE celebrated another successful year of our Postgraduate Orientation Week (O’Week) during the International celebrations of Nuclear Science Week. Thirty postgraduate scholars and future scholarship applicants were hosted online from 21st – 25th October where they engaged with ANSTO research leaders and other special guests.
Research Spotlight: Caleb Stamper (The University of Wollongong)
To finish off our Nano November spotlight series we are featuring Caleb Stamper, an AINSE PGRA scholar from the University of Wollongong, whose research explores the use of energy-efficient thermoelectric materials.
Research Spotlight: Cintya Dharmayanti (The University of South Australia)
Kicking off our Nano November spotlight series is the research from PGRA scholar Cintya Dharmayanti, a former PhD student from the University of South Australia, investigating the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Research Spotlight: Bohao Dong (The University of Melbourne)
Rounding out our October Oceans Month is the research from PGRA scholar Bohao Dong, a PhD student from the University of Melbourne uncovering the environmental history of the Great Barrier Reef through the study of Giant Clam shells.
Research Spotlight: Alexandra Bastick (Charles Sturt University)
AINSE’s focus for October is Oceans Month, which we are kicking off by spotlighting Alexandra (Alex) Bastick: an Honours student from Charles Sturt University, AINSE Pathway Scholar, and emerging young voice in environmental research!
28th AINSE Winter School wraps up!
As part of AINSE’s 28th annual Winter School, 42 students had a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes in some of ANSTO’s world-class research facilities at Lucas Heights, South Sydney, and connect with inspiring scientists and engineers from a wide range of STEM disciplines.
8th AINSE WISE School: Applications now open
The annual AINSE Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) School provides an ideal opportunity for first-year undergraduate Women in STEM to network with their peers from across Australia and New Zealand and to hear from special guest speakers about their journeys to successful careers in STEM.
A key component of the WISE school is active participation in an ongoing mentorship program involving the WISE students, past WISE alumni, and staff members from ANSTO and AINSE.
Please visit our WISE School page for more information, and a link to the application portal. Applications will close 30 September 2024.
2024 AINSE Postgraduate Orientation Week (Online): Expressions of Interest now received from interested students
From Monday 21st to Friday 26th October, AINSE will host its annual Postgraduate Orientation Week as an entirely-online event, coinciding with international Nuclear Science Week celebrations. Alongside the new cohort of 2024 AINSE Scholars, the O’Week will also be open to interested students enrolled at AINSE-member institutions who intend to apply for an AINSE Honours or postgraduate scholarship in 2025.
Interested students will attend a series of talks and panel discussions from ANSTO research leaders and AINSE alumni alongside the new cohort of 2024 AINSE PGRA andRSS Scholars, and will have the opportunity to embark on a virtual tour of ANSTO hosted by the ANSTO Discovery Centre. A specialised workshop focused on the application process for 2025 AINSE scholarships will also be provided.
The online event will run all day on Monday 21st October, and in the afternoon and early evenings of Tuesday 22nd – Friday 26th October.
Please visit our O’Week page for more information, and a link to the application portal. Applications will close 30 September 2024.
2024 Gold Medal Ceremony and Networking Dinner
On Tuesday 21st May 2024, AINSE Scholar Gold Medals for excellence and impact in research were formally awarded to Dr. Yanxiang Meng and Dr. Oliver Paull in a ceremony hosted in the AINSE Theatre and livestreamed via Zoom.
Following the Gold Medal Ceremony, AINSE’s hosted its annual networking dinner to bring together representatives from the Australasian nuclear science and technology sector. AINSE member representatives from across Australia and New Zealand met with members of the AINSE and ANSTO Boards, representatives from ARWA, ARPANSA, the ANA, ATSE, and AusYGN, alongside AINSE alumni and ANSTO researchers, at the Sydney Masonic Centre.
2023 Year in Review
The AINSE team wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and a great year of research ahead, as we reflect on the successes of 2023.
Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE): Applications now open
AINSE, in partnership with ANSTO, the Embassy of France in Australia and the Embassy of France in New Zealand, are delighted to announce that applications for the next round of the SAAFE Program are now open for international travel in the period 1st October 2024 – 31st December 2025.
The Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE) Program is an exciting international exchange opportunity open to Early Career Researchers at the PhD and postdoctoral level. Each successful applicant is provided with costs towards a return flight and up to A$200 per week (up to a maximum of 26 weeks) to support accommodation expenses associated with a visit from:
- Australia/New Zealand to France, or
- France to Australia.
The SAAFE Program supports Early Career Researchers to expand research and innovation activities in nuclear science and engineering within the areas of Health, Environment and Nuclear Technologies, and to initiate sustainable research networks and linkages to support Australia, New Zealand and France in research and innovation.
Eligible applicants must be a PhD student in, or hold a postdoctoral appointment at, a French university or AINSE-member university. The research project must be in collaboration with at least one researcher employed by ANSTO or another Australian AINSE-member institution, and at least one researcher employed by a French university or French research institution.
The research internship is required to take place over 8 – 26 weeks between 1st October 2024 and 31st December 2025.
Applications close 1st July 2024. For more information, including the application form and terms & conditions, please visit our SAAFE website.
In Memory of E/Prof. John White
It is with deep sadness that the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) remembers the late Emeritus Professor John William White, who passed away on 16 August 2023.
In Memory of Mr. E.A. (Bill) Palmer
It is with deep sadness that AINSE informs the scientific community that Mr E.A. (Bill) Palmer, the first Scientific Secretary/Executive Officer of AINSE, recently passed away in September 2022. Bill made an enormous contribution to Nuclear Science and Engineering as the leader of AINSE from 1959 – 1988.
29th AINSE Winter School
7–15 July 2025
Online
September 2025
Limited on-site visits at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus
AINSE Postgraduate Orientation Week
Nuclear Science Week, October 2025
Online
9th AINSE Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) School
December 2025
Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia & Online
AINSE is proud to support conferences and events through the provision of sponsorship funding and travel assistance for attending students. Click below for more information.
About AINSE
The Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE Ltd.) is an integral organisation for enhancing Australia’s and New Zealand’s capabilities in nuclear science, engineering, and related research fields by facilitating world-class research and education.
AINSE offers a range of programs and services to its members, including generous domestic and international conference support, scholarships for honours & postgraduate students and Early Career Researchers, and intensive undergraduate education schools. These benefits aim to foster scientific advancement and promote an effective collaboration between AINSE members and ANSTO.
We respectfully acknowledge the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which AINSE is located.
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