Call for nominations to the AAL Project Oversight Committee (APOC)

AAL is issuing a Call for Nominations to the AAL Project Oversight Committee (APOC). Applications close on Friday 29th April 2022, 8 PM AEST. Late applications will not be accepted.

Astronomy Australia Limited (AAL) is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee whose members are all Australian universities and research organisations with a significant astronomy research capability. Its core business is to manage programmes which provide astronomers with access to national astronomy infrastructure, including data and computing infrastructure.

AAL finances a portfolio of infrastructure projects and facilities from Australian Government funding. AAL oversees the progress of these projects and reports regularly on them to the Government.

Advisory Committees

In order to make informed decisions about the best way to invest in astronomy infrastructure, AAL relies upon strategic and technical advice from its advisory committees. The Australian astronomy landscape is undergoing significant change. In 2017 Australia signed a ten-year strategic partnership agreement with the European Southern Observatory. In 2018, the management of the AAT was transferred to a consortium of Australian universities, with AAL as the consortium manager. The Square Kilometre Array precursor telescopes are approaching full-scale operations, and AAL has increased its involvement with high-energy astrophysics facilities. In 2020, the Mid Term Review of the Astronomy Decadal Plan was delivered to the community.

AAL Project Oversight Committee (APOC) (1 position)

APOC monitors and assesses the progress of AAL-funded projects and activities and assesses whether project plans are being efficiently implemented. The Committee reports on project progress to the AAL Board but is also be called on to provide feedback and guidance on the feasibility of new project proposals. For the current position available on APOC, AAL is seeking industry experts with experience in project management and assessment of highly technical and scientific infrastructure projects.

The purpose of APOC is to assist AAL by executing the following:

• Monitor and assess the progress of all AAL-funded projects and facilities.
• Supply detailed commentary to the Board on project performance progress against milestones.
• Provide advice on potential or realised risks of AAL-funded projects.
• Provide advice on the eligibility and feasibility of new projects for NCRIS or other funding.

Membership

• Members of APOC are appointed by the AAL Board for one- or two-year terms, with the possibility of renewal. Committee members will be appointed by AAL via an application process. AAL will appoint a Chair to the committee.
• The committee will comprise seven members (including the Chair), with experience that covers a range of astronomical research infrastructure projects.
• Ex-officio members may be appointed as required by the AAL Board.
• AAL aims for institutional, geographical, career stage and gender diversity across its advisory committees.
• Meeting frequency: quarterly.

Applications

If you consider yourself well placed to contribute to APOC via your expertise, ideas, and experience, please email [email protected] with a maximum three-page application including:

• A covering letter describing your expertise relevant to the committee terms of reference
• A brief CV
• Any relevant conflicts of interest.

Please do not hesitate to contact James Murray, AAL Director of Programs with any questions regarding these vacant committee positions.

AAL encourages applications from all interested candidates with the appropriate expertise and skills. AAL specifically considers gender balance across committee appointments and seeks to maximise the number of AAL member institutions involved with AAL committees.

Applications close on Friday 29th April 2022, 8 PM AEST. Late applications will not be accepted.