NRF-MINDS Doctoral Scholarship

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is a continental institute that seeks to address the short, medium, and long-term development challenges in Africa in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

The scholarship programme will support postgraduate students in critical fields for the continent – African Heritage; Water-Energy-Food Nexus; Smart Economy; ICT; Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; and Health. These students will directly contribute to creating a pool of young leaders committed to playing a critical role in achieving a more integrated African economy with accelerated growth generating positive outcomes that benefit all of its countries.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Applications Open: April 2023

Applications Close: 11 July 2023

Funding Outcome: 22 December 2023

WHO CAN APPLY FOR NRF-MINDS DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP?

  • Be a citizen of an African country other than SA, residing in any African country
  • Be thirty two (32) tears of age and or younger on 31 December in the year of application for the doctoral scholarship and
  • Be intending to pursue full-time doctoral studies with effect from the following academic year of the year of application at a SA public university.

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE?

  • South African students & International

CONTACT DETAILS

NRF: Busisiwe Sibiya | BG.Sibiya@risa.nrf.ac.za | Phone: +27 12 481 4166

MINDS: Sarah Kombasa | s.kombasa@minds-africa.org

HOW TO APPLY FOR NRF-MINDS DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP

All the postgraduate students will be expected to apply on the NRF Connect system by accessing the link: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/.

No manual applications will be accepted.

Visit their websites: www.nrf.ac.za | www.minds-africa.org

OWSD Early Career Fellowship

The OWSD Early Career Fellowship is a prestigious award of up to USD 50,000 offered to women who have completed their PhDs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and are employed at an academic or scientific research institute in one of the listed Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs). The OWSD Early Career fellows are supported to establish environments at their institutions where they can maintain an international standard of research and attract scholars from all over the world to collaborate.

Deadline for Applications: 27 April 2023

The OWSD Early Career Fellowship programme is administered by OWSD with funds generously provided by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.

The fellowship programme supports early career women scientists to lead important research projects in those countries which have been identified as especially lacking in scientific and technological resources.* The fellows will undertake their research projects in one of the eligible countries and applicants must demonstrate that they have spent significant periods of time in that country (at least 5 years in total). Applicants must also have a guarantee of employment at the institution where they intend to carry out the research.

 

Visit their website

Call for application: MERCK FOUNDATION AFRICA RESEARCH SUMMIT 2023

Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS aims to contribute to building research capacity in the African Research Community. This year, a special focus will be on “The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health and Reproductive Care”.

Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2023 will have scientific support from African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC); Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda; Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI); African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS); and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

The aim of Merck Foundation African Research Summit – MARS Awards is to empower African young researchers & women researchers, advancing their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The winners of MARS Awards are recognized under two categories; “Best Young African Researcher” and “Best African Woman Researcher”.

The Summit opens a discussion with Ministries of Health, Education, Information, Science and Technology and Gender from across Africa, to define policies with the aim to empower women and youth in STEM and to address the vital role of research in the improvement and sustainable development of healthcare system. with a specific emphasis on how to translate knowledge into action – the ‘know-do gap’ – to improve health and make an impact on society.

The summit will be a unique opportunity for the winners of a MARS Research Awards to share their research output and findings. It is also an opportunity for networking and career development.

Abstract Submission Details
Abstracts are invited from final year PhD students, young investigators involved in research and Medical Doctors in Postgraduate Medical Fellowship program related to either of the following topics:

  • Women Health
  • Infertility and Reproductive Care

All applicants should be primarily based at African Research Institutes and Universities, although collaboration within Africa as well as outside is also welcome.

Deadline: 30 June 2023

Apply Now OR Send your abstracts to: mars@merck-foundation.com along with your CV (including Name, Gender, Country, University/Hospital Name, Email address, Mobile Number) and the abstract document as an attachment.

 

MARS 2023 Awards

All abstracts will be peer reviewed.

Entries are invited under the below categories:

  • Best African Women Researchers
  • Best Young African Researcher

The Winners will receive a 3 months Research Training scholarship in India
One Best Abstract winner from each category will get an opportunity to present their abstract at the IFFS World Fertility Congress in Athens.

 

View the flyer

Visit the Merck Foundation website

Bid Open to Identify the Host Country of ASP2026

African institutes or countries wishing to host the 2026 edition of the African School of Physics, ASP2026, are invited to submit a few-page proposal by 31 August 2023. The IOC will review the proposals; a selection will be announced by December 2023. The Local Organizing Committee of the selected host country for ASP2026 will be invited to participate in the preparation of ASP2024, to take place at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh, Morocco, on 7-20 July 2024.

 

Guidelines for ASP School and Conference Potential Hosts

EXCELLENCE IN AFRICA :100 PHDS FOR AFRICA PROGRAMME

The second call for proposals is open

The EXAF Centre is launching the second call for proposals of the “100 PhDs for Africa Programme”, as part of the Excellence in Africa initiative, jointly launched by UM6P (the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco) and by EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne).

The 100 PhDs for Africa programme will give to science and engineering graduates the opportunity to pursue a PhD at an African higher education institution. The PhD students benefiting from this programme will be jointly supervised by a professor of an African institution and by an EPFL professor. They will conduct their doctoral studies and their thesis research at their institution in Africa, and they will spend short periods of time at EPFL and at UM6P (summer and spring schools, workshops, conferences).

The first call for proposals is now open, with a deadline for applications set for 18 April 2023 (17:00 UTC+2). Talented master graduates who have the endorsement of a professor at an African higher education institution for PhD supervision are very welcome to apply.

Please feel free to contact us with any further questions (exaf@epfl.ch).

Read more on the EPFL website

Find the applications guidelines here

Request for Expression of Interest Sustainable Diagnostic Containment Laboratories

Grand Challenges Africa, in partnership with the Grand Challenges Canada, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), have an OPEN Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) call for Sustainable Diagnostic Containment Laboratories.

This Expression of Interest (RFEI) is seeking bold ideas that will reinvent the diagnostic laboratory, making it fit-for-purpose in resource-limited contexts globally. These innovative solutions are expected to #reimagine the physical laboratory to reduce ongoing operational and maintenance costs and allow sustainable presence of safe and secure handling of high-consequence pathogenic materials, whilst maintaining and/or optimizing core functions of a diagnostic laboratory in low- and middle- income countries.

This RFEI represents Phase I of a dual-phase approach to development of a Grand Challenge for Sustainable Diagnostic Laboratories. The pool of Expressions of Interest received will be used to inform the scope of a full Grand Challenge program in Phase II, under which Grand Challenges Canada will award funding. Submission of an Expression of Interest does not constitute an application for funding; however, Expressions of Interest will receive feedback from an external review process designed to improve the quality of full proposals submitted for an open call for funding applications in Phase II. Most promising Expressions of Interest may also be shortlisted for direct invitations to submit full proposals for funding in Phase II.

Deadlines:

Applicant registration: 12 April 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

Expression of Interest submission: 19 April 2023 at 2 p.m. EDT

Click to start your application on Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal.
Grand Challenges Canada will host an applicant information session — Date TBA.

For any queries, please submit to sdl@grandchallenges.ca.

Relevant Documents

L’ORÉAL UNESCO For Women in Science: YOUNG TALENTS AWARDS SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 2023

The Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO launch the 14th edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents – Sub-Saharan Africa program, to support young women scientists.
In 2023, 20 endowments will be offered for the Sub-Saharan Africa region:
1. Doctorate: €10 000
2. Post-doctorate: €15 000

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
• Having the nationality of a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Working in a research laboratory or institution in one of the region’s countries or being enrolled in a doctoral programme at a University in Sub-Saharan Africa*.
• Pursuing research in the field of life and environmental sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, computer and information sciences, engineering sciences and technology.

Online applications: www.forwomeninscience.com

View the flyer in English | Français

Call for applications | Appel à candidatures

MRS Advances for AfricanMRS2022

This is to remind you that the deadline is approaching to submit your paper submission to MRS Advances based on the presentation that you made for the AMRS 2022 meeting. The deadline for submissions is February 24. Manuscripts should be submitted to the journal’s website: www.editorialmanager.com/mrsa.

Note: This pertains to new submissions. Papers that have already been submitted have entered the review process and cannot be resubmitted at this time.

A few things of note as you prepare to submit your paper:

  • You will need to register to set up your account prior to beginning your submission. Look for the Register link under the login buttons or to the right side of the login box.
  • Enter your symposium name in the control ID box in the online submission questionnaire (e.g. Materials for EnergyBiomaterials and Materials for Health; etc.). This will facilitate the assignment of the correct editor for your paper.
  • Contributed articles should not exceed 2500 words; invited speaker papers may be up to 5000 words in length. There are limits to the number of figures and references, as well. Please review submission guidelines on the journal’s website.
  • All original research must include the following statements in the manuscript file:

o   Data availability statement

o   Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest statement

o   (Please note: do not include keywords in the manuscript file.)

MRS Advances features rapidly published peer-reviewed snapshots of work in progress on key materials topics, often paralleling topics which are highlighted at the MRS meetings. If you are not able to meet the submission deadline given above, you are welcome to submit for a future issue in this topical area. MRS Advances is indexed in Scopus, SCImago and in the Web of Science, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)MRS Advances will be given its first Journal Impact Factor this summer. Articles indexed in ESCI are included in an author’s H-Index calculation. Published content for MRS Advances is available here.

The journal is free to all MRS members and by subscription to institutional libraries around the world. There is no charge for publishing in the subscription model. In addition, MRS and Springer Nature are highly supportive of open research. To accelerate the transformation towards open science, Springer Nature continues to extend an ever-increasing number of Read-and-Publish agreements with global academic and research institutions. Be sure to check with your librarian to determine whether your article could benefit from Open Access publication of your article. More information on what Transformative Journals mean for authors can be found here, and a current listing of institutions and funders open research funders may be found here.

Please let us (Susan Dittrich, dittrich@mrs.org or Ellen Kracht, kracht@mrs.org) know if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you!

 

View flyer here

ASESMANET 2023: Exchange/Mobility call 2023

Background:
ASESMANET (Atomistic Simulations, Electronic Structure, Computational Materials Science and Applications: The African Network) is a network connected to The African School of Electronic Structure Methods and Application (ASESMA) [1], ASESMANET is opening a call for scientists working in Africa and active in research in electronic structure calculations that want to spend a period of time visiting and doing research at a research group located in an African country different from their country of  residence. The visit needs to end by 31/December 2023.
Funding for this program is provided by the External Activities Unit (EAU) of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Trieste Italy in collaboration Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire (CECAM), the National Centre for Computational Design and Discovery of Novel Materials MARVEL funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Psi-k network. The funds are to promote intense scientific exchanges between researchers within Africa who are working in electronic structure methods and applications and to support Africa – Europe interactions between researchers in Europe and those in Africa. This network (ASESMANET) will fund African researchers to visit other researchers or research groups in Africa or Europe for focused research collaboration for two months or more at a time. It can also support conference participation between Europe and Africa and within Africa.

What the ASESMANET funds will cover:
* Travel/flight tickets [from home country to host/collaborating country].
* Accommodation at host country
* Living allowance at host country

Who Should Apply?
Lecturers at Institutions in African countries who carry out research in atomistic/molecular modeling. These include those who use electronic structure methods (DFT, HF, etc.) or sampling methods such as Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics in different fields: Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, Computational/Quantum  Chemistry, Quantum Dynamics, Computational Drug Design and other areas.
Postdoctoral fellows and advanced post-graduate students at the doctoral level working in Africa may also apply. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply
1) First fill the Google Form here: https://forms.gle/8z3UBCmYrCgL76zN7
2) Then, after #1 above, send an email to asesmanet@eaifr.org with the following documents:
a) a 1-2 page description of the research project that will be carried out at the host institution: motivation, state of the art, research goals, methods to be employed, research plan, relevance for scientific progress, reasons for choosing the hosting research group. Email a pdf with the name: My_Name_Proposal.pdf
b) Acceptance letter from the hosting scientist, stating that the host institution will provide the infrastructure for the visitor to conduct research, the proposed topic, and confirmation of dates of visit (this letter should be sent directly by the hosting scientist to the e-mail above). Moreover, the letter should describe the work of the hosting scientist of relevance for the proposed project. Email a pdf with the name: My_Name_Acceptance.pdf
c) CV of applicant. A pdf with the name: My_Name_CV.pdf
d) CV of the hosting scientist: A pdf with the name: My_Host_Name_Proposal.pdf
You may also put all these documents into a single pdf file and email it to us.

Deadline for Submission: March 12, 2023

Contact for additional information:
For further information contact: asesmanet@eaifr.org

Applications for the next DLI are now open!

We encourage applications from all members of the African machine learning community, in all career stages, whether you are in industry or academia.

Apply by 6th March 2023: https://deeplearningindaba.com/2023/indaba/apply/

 

View Flyer

Adhesives Chemist – Gauteng, West Rand

An exciting opportunity exists at our Head Office for a Adhesive Chemist to work in a world-class laboratory!
Requirements

Incumbent must have at least a first degree in Chemistry and ideally be experienced in the field of Adhesives Chemistry.

Hands-on laboratory work related to the development and formulation of new adhesives and the improvement of existing adhesive products.

Fully equipped laboratory.

Applications in writing only, for attention: R+D Manager: Electrical to careers@pratley.co.za or deliver to below address.

Read more

Call for applications Erasmus Mundus Master AMASE - Materials Science and Engineering

Together with universities in Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Italy, we offer an international Erasmus Mundus Master in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering. The programme is called AMASE and since we are in the Erasmus Mundus Programme (https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-master-degrees_en) we can offer study scholarships for students from the whole world. The Dead-line for the application is the 15th January or 15th February 2023, depending on the selected universities (see www.amase-master.net).

 

Read the document here

Invitation and Media Partnership proposal - YUCOMAT 2023, Herceg Novi , Montenegro

On behalf of the Materials Research Society of Serbia, as a FEMS member Societies (Federation of European Materials Societies), we would like to invite your society members for their valuable participation and sharing of latest advancements in the fields of Material Science and Nanotechnology, at the upcoming event 24th Annual Conference YUCOMAT 2023.

The Conference will be held September 4-8,  2023 in Herceg Novi, Montenegro.

We already have an impressive list of Confirmed Plenary Speakers for 2023

It would be really nice if you would join us and involved in the program at the YUCOMAT 2023 with all of benefits we offer:
  • High quality presentations of distinguished plenary speakers among the highest in the field of materials science
  • Meeting opportunities with colleagues from around the world for your professional scientific network and make new friends
There will be plenty of opportunities for discussing throughout the conference and friendly atmosphere at the special conference dinner and cocktail party at the pleasant ambience . To give you some idea of the place, you can watch a short video from the 2022 Conference on the link: https://www.mrs-serbia.org.rs/index.php/yucomat/yucomat-2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4grYEhD4yQ&t=3s

2-year postdoc position on ML interatomic potentials for 2D materials at University of Trieste

Funding for a 2-year post-doc position here at the Physics Department of the University of Trieste, Miramare campus, starting early 2023.

The position is funded by the Spoke Materials and Molecular Sciences of the newborn National Centre for HPC, Big Data and Quantum Computing, and it will likely involve fruitful interactions and collaborations within the broad Italian and European electronic structure community, as well as with local top-notch experimental groups at the Physics Department, at CNR-IOM and at Elettra (synchrotron and free-electron laser facility). The activities related to this position are within the scope of a work package dedicated to “Big Data Generation and Harnessing”, which includes projects on methods development and applications of automated high-throughput workflows, machine learning (ML) and multi-scale & coarse-grained modelling.
The postdoc will work on the development and application of ML interatomic potentials to study complex phenomena in 2D and van der Waals materials at finite temperature.
Applications will range from the simulation of growth processes and catalysis to the study of CDWs, phase transitions, moiré patterns, monolayer-substrate interactions and anharmonic effects.
In addition, we are also interested in the study of the interplay between spin-orbit and temperature in 2D, especially for spintronics and topological materials.
There is quite some flexibility in the research topics to be pursued, within the constraints dictated by our commitment with the funding source.
Beyond application-oriented studies, the position also involves the development of robust protocols and automated AiiDA workflows for constructing ML potentials, including the generation and dissemination of first-principles data sets and model training procedures based on deep neural-network approaches (e.g. DeePMD and NequIP).
The ideal candidate has a robust and documented expertise in the use of electronic-structure simulation software (e.g. Quantum ESPRESSO) and classical MD (e.g. LAMMPS), including the exploitation of HPC infrastructures and materials’ informatics (e.g. AiiDA). Previous experience with ML methods is considered a plus, but definitely not required.
If you have one ore more young collaborators who could be potentially interested and that you would recommend, please ask them to write to positions.cmts.df.units@gmail.com for further information.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA, Department of Chemistry

Applications deadline: 7 October 2022

The Mineral Waste Beneficiation research group of the Department of Chemistry, University of Pretoria invites highly motivated and research-driven researchers to apply for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellowship under the supervision of Prof Liezel van der Merwe. The responsibility of the postdoctoral researcher will be to conduct high-quality research which focuses on the modification, characterization and valorisation of South African industrial wastes, with specific emphasis on (but not limited to) the valorisation of Coal Fly Ash. Research projects should be aligned with the objectives of the research group and will include studies on solid-state thermochemical reactions, solid-liquid conversions, wet and dry surface modification techniques as well as a variety of leaching studies. He/she will be expected to generate new knowledge and to publish his/her work in high quality academic journals with co-authors from the research group. Other duties will include mentoring of postgraduate students, managing the day-to-day running of the laboratories and regular participation in group meetings.

Read more here

Post Doc, PhD, MSc positions in (Applied) Nuclear and Particle Physics, Engineering, Computation and Innovation

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, Mechanical Engineering Science Department

The Mechanical Engineering Science Department of the UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG seeks to appoint 2 x Post Doc, 3 x PhD, 3 x MSc positions at its Auckland Park Kingsway Campus. The positions are open to science and engineering applicants with skills and interests in the fields of nuclear and particle physics, engineering, high performance computing and simulation, modern sensors and electronics, accelerators, big data analytics and AI. The Research is interdisciplinary and involves the further development of the MinPET Technology and all related innovations. MinPET is the green, modern, 4IR sensor-based sorting of diamondiferous from barren kimberlite on-line at run-of-mine rates. It combines the technologies from the fields mentioned. There are also opportunities beyond mining, including medicine, energy, waste and homeland security. Expertise in any of the fields mentioned and a willingness to learn rapidly and innovate in the context of a large well-resourced team is required. The duration of
the Post Doc funding is up to three years but renewable annually based on mutual agreement.

The duration of the postgraduate study support is the typical median degree duration. The starting date is Jan 2023.

Read more here

NC State University Department of Materials Science and Engineering: 2023 MSE Grad Student Info Session

Department of Materials Science and Engineering invites you to join their upcoming virtual Info Session on Tuesday, Oct 11 where you can explore graduate programs and network with faculty. All backgrounds in STEM are welcome including engineering, chemistry, computer science, information technology, mathematics, and physics. Explore  graduate and doctoral programs and primary areas of research.

EVENT SCHEDULE

  • 11:00 – 11:05 am: Welcome to the NC State MSE Department
  • 11:05 – 11:15 am: Why should you get a Ph.D. in MSE?
  • 11:15 – 11:45 am: Overview of the NC State MSE Ph.D. program
  • 11:45 – 12:15 pm: Panel with current NC State MSE grad students

More on the info session here

REGISTER FOR GRADUATE INFO SESSION

Call for Applications – 3rd ASRIC-UEMF PhD Scholarships for African Students

The ASRIC and UEMF are offering 10 scholarship slots for the academic year 2022-2023 to African PhD students to carry out their doctoral research work at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF), Morocco. The duration of the study and that of the scholarship is three years.

The scholarship includes tuition fees of about $9,000, an annual return ticket from your home country with a maximum contribution of $1,000 during summer vacation, and stipend allowance of $1,000 monthly for 11 months every year.

Eligibility Requirement

  • Must be a national of one of the African Union Member States.
  • Applicants must be less than 35 years of age at the end date of this call.
  • Must have master’s degree (in science or engineering), Diploma or Engineering Diploma or any other equivalent diploma (baccalaureate + 5); and
  • The candidate must demonstrate remarkable ability and devotion along with experiences in conducting research in the selected field of study.

Read more here

Humboldt Research Fellowships - for experienced researchers

In providing Humboldt Research Fellowships for experienced researchers, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars from abroad, who completed their doctorates less than twelve years ago1 to spend extended periods of research (6-18 months; may be divided up into a maximum of three blocks) in Germany.
Candidates are expected to have their own, clearly defined research profile. This means they should usually be working at least at the level of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Group Leader or be able to document independent research work over a number of years. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines and countries may apply.

 

Click here for programme information

Read the guidelines and information here

Apply for the fellowship here

Fall 2022 Postgraduate International admission and E-JUST TICAD7 African Scholarships for STI

The E-JUST international affairs office are pleased to announce the start of Fall 2022 Postgraduate International admission and E-JUST TICAD7 African Scholarships for STI.

E-JUST TICAD7 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African students (Non-Egyptians) who need to obtain M.Sc. degree in Engineering/Basic and applied sciences.

There are 2 available scholarships funded by Toyota Tsusho Corporation this semester, for all African students (Non-Egyptians) who need to obtain M.Sc. degree in Accounting and Information Systems/Engineering/Basic and applied sciences.

The Online Application is available on E-JUST website till 12th of February 2022.

 

View the E-JUST TICAD7 Flyer for Fall 2022

View the Toyota Tsusho Corporation Scholarship Flyer

For more information about the admission requirements, available scholarships and the online application, Kindly check the following link; https://ejust.edu.eg/international-admission-adm/

African Strategy — Call for Community Inputs

ASFAP solicits your inputs for the development of the African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics (ASFAP). You may submit your inputs — within the scope of ASFAP working groups — on anything you think is an issue, needs to be improved or is important for physics (fundamental or applied) education and research in Africa.

These community inputs are referred as letters of Interest (LOI). We are asking for the LOI to be short documents of 2 pages or less (including tables and figures). The submitted LOI will be accessible only within relevant working groups of ASFAP for the purpose to define the major topics to be developed toward the African Strategy report.

Students, post-docs, teachers, lecturers, professors, senior professors, retired, university officials, research collaborations, professional societies, etc. may submit LOI as individual or groups. Anybody (whether Africans or not), from Africa or elsewhere, please give us your opinions through the LOI. Please disseminate through your networks.

ASFAP Website

Learn more about ASFAP Calls For Community Input 

Submit your LOI: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1061921/

Training and Workshop: Machine Learning for Electronic Structure and Molecular Dynamics

A six-month training school in Machine Learning and its application to Electronic Structure and Molecular Dynamics is organized for researchers in Africa. It will take place online from October 2021 to April 2022 and will culminate in a workshop in Kigali, Rwanda in the period 16 – 20 May, 2022. The six-month training will require attendance of online classes one to three times a week on average, with a total time of 2—7 hours each week, The broad topics for the six-month training include:
• Introduction to Python programming
• Basics of Machine Learning (ML)
• Working with Materials Databases (Materials Project, NOMAD, AFLOW)
and OPTIMADE
• Combining ML with Materials Databases for Materials Discovery
• Machine Learning for Force Field development
• Machine Learning in Electronic Structure

At the end of the six-month training, the top 20 participants will be selected to attend the final workshop in Kigali, Rwanda 16-20 May, 2022, while the other participants will join online. The workshop in Kigali will also feature research talks from top scientists in the field and poster presentations.

To apply, fill out the Google form at https://forms.gle/62f387Nt62jGZSb9A
In addition, please send a copy of your CV to MLESMD@eaifr.org

First deadline for application is 14/October/2021 and the training will start on Monday/18/October/2021. Applications will be received till end of October, 2021.

Who should apply?
Lecturers in Africa who carry out research in electronic structure and/or atomistic/molecular modeling and are interested in the application of Machine Learning in their research. These include those who use electronic structure methods and/or sampling methods such as Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics in different fields: Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, Computational/Quantum Chemistry, Computational Drug Design and others areas. Postdoctoral fellows and advanced post-graduate students at the masters or doctoral levels working in Africa can also apply. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Current Sponsors: ICTP-EAIFR/UR, Psi-k Network

ASFAP— YPF Survey

The African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics – Young Physicists Forum (ASFAP-YPF)
YPF — from undergraduates to postdoctoral researchers — is an opportunity for Young African Members of ASFAP to gather, study and debate the major issues in their research careers.
The ASFAP— YPF Survey represents a core initiative within the Young Physicists Forum. A team of early career physicists has prepared an in-depth set of questions for the entire Fundamental and Applied Physics community (including students, faculty, scientists, engineers, technicians, …).
Please make your voice heard by participating in this survey; your input will help us better understand the issues that Young African Physicists face in their research careers.

Training Workshop on Nanotechnology and its Applications for Sustainable Cities and Coasts

Nanotech Futuristic Solutions and the WIOMSA Cities and Coasts project are pleased to announce the call for applications for a workshop on Nanotechnology and Its Applications for Sustainable Cities and Coasts, that will take place in Johannesburg South Africa on 29 November- 4 December 2021.

This training workshop will equip professionals and practitioners from various fields with fundamental tools of nanoscience and will make them better prepared in implementing and utilizing nanotechnology in marine science, city planning, science policy advocacy and renewable energy systems. By offering practical sessions on the application of nanotechnology, the training provides a first-hand experience on nanotechnology and helps to close the gap in its potential uses in diverse fields.  This will enable the development of policies for better management of wastewater and building of smart green cities. The nanotechnology trainees will act as a think tank for the much-needed advancement and expertise of nanotechnology within the Western Indian Ocean region and the African continent.

Download the Requirements Document 

View the flyer

Read more on the WIOMSA website

Call for IUMRS Officer Nominations for Treasurer and Second Vice President

Adhering Bodies are asked to consider nominating candidates for these positions.  The deadline for sending completed nominations is 1 October 2021, according to the timeline below.  Note that the same candidate cannot nominate for both Officer positions, and that the Adhering Body 2021 dues must have been paid by the deadline date of 1 October 2021 for the nomination to be valid. 

Nomination Forms:

IUMRS_Officer Nomination_Form 2021-2nd VP 

IUMRS_Officer Nomination_Form 2021-Treasurer

 

                                 IUMRS Officer nomination Timeline 2021

(Please note that the same candidate cannot nominate for both Officer positions)

August 20, 2021: Call for nominations with a deadline of 1 October, 2021.

October 5, 2021: Ballots for both positions sent out with the statements/CVs of candidates, with completed ballots due by October 26, 2021.

October 29, 2021: The Treasurer determines the valid votes based on dues paid for each AB, and the Secretary and HO Director counts votes.

November 1, 2021: The results are sent to the EC Officers for approval of the result. 

November 5, 2021: Successful candidates are informed and then all ABs are informed of the election results.

PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarships 2021

The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an African-led initiative with the goal of strengthening skills in the Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology to further socio-economic transformation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

RSIF aims to train quality PhD students and post-doctoral researchers at selected African universities (‘African Host Universities’) to address the human resource gap of highly qualified specialists in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET) and to contribute to improving research and innovation capacities in those fields in SSA. RSIF supports training, research and innovation in five PASET Priority Thematic Areas: (1) ICT including big data and artificial intelligence, (2) Food security and agri-business, (3) Minerals, mining and materials engineering, (4) Energy including renewables and (5) Climate change

 

English Call for applications

French Call for applications

Portuguese Call for applications

Visit their site: www.rsif-paset.org

Training Workshop on Nanotechnology and its Applications for Sustainable Cities and Coasts

Nanotech Futuristic Solutions and the WIOMSA Cities and Coasts project are pleased to announce the call for applications for a workshop on Nanotechnology and Its Applications for Sustainable Cities and Coasts, that will take place in Johannesburg South Africa on 29 November- 4 December 2021.

This training workshop will equip professionals and practitioners from various fields with fundamental tools of nanoscience and will make them better prepared in implementing and utilizing nanotechnology in marine science, city planning, science policy advocacy and renewable energy systems. By offering practical sessions on the application of nanotechnology, the training provides a first-hand experience on nanotechnology and helps to close the gap in its potential uses in diverse fields.  This will enable the development of policies for better management of wastewater and building of smart green cities. The nanotechnology trainees will act as a think tank for the much-needed advancement and expertise of nanotechnology within the Western Indian Ocean region and the African continent.

Download the Requirements Document 

View the flyer

Read more on the WIOMSA website

Call for IUMRS Officer Nominations for Treasurer and Second Vice President

Adhering Bodies are asked to consider nominating candidates for these positions.  The deadline for sending completed nominations is 1 October 2021, according to the timeline below.  Note that the same candidate cannot nominate for both Officer positions, and that the Adhering Body 2021 dues must have been paid by the deadline date of 1 October 2021 for the nomination to be valid. 

Nomination Forms:

IUMRS_Officer Nomination_Form 2021-2nd VP 

IUMRS_Officer Nomination_Form 2021-Treasurer

 

                                 IUMRS Officer nomination Timeline 2021

(Please note that the same candidate cannot nominate for both Officer positions)

August 20, 2021: Call for nominations with a deadline of 1 October, 2021.

October 5, 2021: Ballots for both positions sent out with the statements/CVs of candidates, with completed ballots due by October 26, 2021.

October 29, 2021: The Treasurer determines the valid votes based on dues paid for each AB, and the Secretary and HO Director counts votes.

November 1, 2021: The results are sent to the EC Officers for approval of the result. 

November 5, 2021: Successful candidates are informed and then all ABs are informed of the election results.

PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarships 2021

The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an African-led initiative with the goal of strengthening skills in the Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology to further socio-economic transformation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

RSIF aims to train quality PhD students and post-doctoral researchers at selected African universities (‘African Host Universities’) to address the human resource gap of highly qualified specialists in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET) and to contribute to improving research and innovation capacities in those fields in SSA. RSIF supports training, research and innovation in five PASET Priority Thematic Areas: (1) ICT including big data and artificial intelligence, (2) Food security and agri-business, (3) Minerals, mining and materials engineering, (4) Energy including renewables and (5) Climate change

 

English Call for applications

French Call for applications

Portuguese Call for applications

Visit their site: www.rsif-paset.org

Qian Baojun Fiber Award 2021

Mr. Qian Baojun (1907-1996) was a renowned polymer and fiber scientist as well as educationist in China. He was the president of East China Textile Institute of Science and Technology (subsequently Donghua University), and also made outstanding contributions to materials science of fibers. In order to commemorate Mr. Qian Baojun’s career and spirit, and also to promote sustainable development in the field of fiber materials, the Qian Baojun Fiber Award was established by the State Key Laboratory of Fiber Materials Modification (Donghua University) in 2015. The Qian Baojun Fiber Award hopes to encourage domestic and foreign scholars who have made outstanding contributions to basic research, transformation of scientific and technological achievements as well as talents cultivation in the field of fiber materials.

The Qian Baojun Fiber Award is given out once every two years, recognizing research excellence in the field of fiber-related sciences. It consists of two separate categories: the Distinguished Achievement Award and the Young Scholar Award.

    Distinguished Achievement Award (one quota)

l   Recognizes Distinguished Professional Achievement in basic or applied fiber science.

l   The recipient will receive USD 10,000 and a certificate.

    Young Scholar Award (two quota)

l   Recognizes Young Scholar (< 45 years of age) who have made outstanding contributions to the science, engineering, and technology of fibers, and fiber-based developments for materials and devices. 

l   The recipient will receive USD 3,000 and a certificate.

The establishment of the Qian Baojun Fiber Award was first announced at the International Conference on the Advanced Fibers and Polymer Materials (ICAFPM) in 2017, which was subsequently conferred at Donghua University in 2018. Professor Pieter J. Lemstra (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Dr. Paul Smith (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich) co-shared the Qian Baojun Distinguished Achievement Award for their contributions in inventing gel spun ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. Professor Gao Chao (Zhejiang University) and Professor Fabien Sorin (Swiss federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) were conferred the Qian Baojun Young Scholar Award, for their contributions in graphene and multifunctional optical fibers, respectively.  The second awarding ceremony of Qian Baojun Fiber Award was announced on the ICAFPM in 2019. Professor Dr. Darrell H. Reneker (The University of Akron) was conferred the Qian Baojun Distinguished Achievement Award for his contribution to electrospinning technique. Professor Peng Huisheng (Fudan University) and Professor II-Doo Kim (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) were conferred the Qian Baojun Young Scholar Award for their contributions to fiber-shaped energy harvesting devices and multi-component ceramic nanofibers respectively. (Please check the Qian Baojun’s website for details, http://qianbaojun.dhu.edu.cn/wwww/list.htm).

The nominations for the Third Qian Baojun Fiber Award are currently in progress. We hope that you can review all the criteria and nominate the person(s) you believe to be the most deserving of the recognition. Please submit your nomination(s) by email to Dr. Rujia Zou (qianfiberaward@dhu.edu.cn).

The submission deadline is July 15, 2021.

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 10th International Conference on Advanced Fibers and Polymer Materials (ICAFPM 2021) conference, which will be held from 17-20 October, 2021, in Donghua University (Songjiang Campus), Shanghai, China. The Qian Baojun Fiber Award will be presented for the third time at ICAFPM 2021 (Websitehttps://mm.scimeeting.cn/en/minisite/index/11591).

Kindly address any questions or concerns to Dr. Rujia Zou (qianfiberaward@dhu.edu.cn)

Qian Baojun Fiber Award Information

Nominations for the Baojun Qian Fiber Award

AAS ARISE Grants

Apply for the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) programme, funded by the EU through the Pan-African Programme to empower early-career African researchers to deliver cutting-edge research across Africa.

For more details visit: https://www.aasciences.africa/call/arise

Max Planck Africa Mobility Grant

The aim is to offer African scientists to get the opportunity for an annual research stay at a Max Planck Institute with access to research facilities, training and networking opportunities as well as scientific exchange.

Qian Baojun Fiber Awards

Qian Baojun Fiber Award is selected once every two years. The Qian Baojun Fiber Award is to reward excellence in the field of the fiber related sciences, and it includes the Distinguished Achievement Award and Young Scholar Award. We are delighted to announce that we are welcoming nominations for the Qian Baojun Fiber Award. Mr. Qian Baojun (1907-1996) is a renowned polymer and fiber scientist and educationist in China.

Important Information

  • Nominations open on July 10th 2019
  • Nominations close on August 30th 2019

Brief Introduction About SKLFPM

Since it was founded in 1992, SKLFPM has successfully passed national assessments in 2003, 2008 and 2013. During these years, it has made significant achievements in many fields such as attracting disciplinary talents, promoting the development of scientific research, constructing the research platform, expanding the academic communication under the guidance of all laboratory leaders and the policy of SKLFPM, “Openness, Mobility, Cooperation, Competition”.

The SKLFPM has 61 settled staffs including 54 senior research staffs, one academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, four winners of China National Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists, one winner of the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scientists, two staffs elected to the Chang Jiang Scholars Program 2 of the Ministry of Education , two staffs elected to Recruitment Program of Global Experts (the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC), one staff elected to Recruitment Program of Global Youth Experts (the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC) and four staffs elected the New Centuary National Hundred, Thousand and Ten Thousand Talents Project.

The present research fields of SKLFPM mainly include: 1) High performance fibers and composite materials; 2) Functional fibers and low-dimensional materials; 3) Environmentally friendly and bio-based fiber materials. In 2013, SKLFPM undertook 143 national and provincial scientific research projects, including 5 items of “973” programs and seven items of “863” programs, 1 item of Military Pre-Research Project, 5 items of National Sci-Tech Supporting Plan, 48 items of National Natural Science Foundation of China (1 item of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scientists, 2 key projects of the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China); 152 R&D projects cooperated with industry circle, in which 14 patents were transferred to related companies.

Since 2008, the laboratory had won 6 items of the second prize of National Award of Scientific and Technology Progress, 39 items of the prize of Provincial/Ministerial Award of Science and Technology Progress and the prize of Provincial/Ministerial Award of Invention, in which 5 items were the first class prizes of provincial and municipal awards of science and technology progress, 6 items were the first class ministerial award. SKLFPM had published 1796 academic papers and 515 authorized invention patents.

The Application Object of the Open Project

The applicant of the open research fund should at least have an associate professor position or Ph. D degree and get some teaching, research or engineering experiences in domestic or foreign well-known universities, research institutions and companies. In order to improve the growth of young scientists, SKLFPM preferentially supports applicants under 45 years old. The duration of research project normally ranges from six months to two years.