The areas of chemistry and materials/polymer science are the focus of the first joint research roles under the Monash University and the University of Warwick international Alliance.

The six positions are: Professor of Polymer Chemistry, Professor of Polymer Materials, Professor of Polymer Nanotechnology, Professor of Sustainable Chemistry (based at Monash), Professor of Sustainable Chemical Synthesis and Professor of Sustainable Feedstocks and Industrial Biotechnology.

Each of the professors will be primarily based at one institution, but will spend significant time at the partner university

The positions represent the first step in the Alliance's commitment to invest at least £2 million (A$3.2 million) in the creation of at least 10 joint senior academic posts. Ten further joint posts will also be created in each institution for existing staff.

Academic Vice-President and Director of the Monash Warwick Alliance, Professor Andrew Coats, said the professorships would prove the benefits of combining the intellectual and infrastructure capital of the two universities.

"The Monash Warwick Alliance was formalised only months ago and already we are putting ideas into action by recruiting outstanding individuals to capitalise on the manifold joint research opportunities that have been identified," Professor Coats said.

"We've only just begun to see what might be possible in the areas of green chemistry, polymers and materials science. Although both Monash and Warwick have strengths in these area, both are aware that together we will be able to achieve more than would be possible alone.

"I am confident that the results that these, and future joint posts will produce, will demonstrate just how farsighted the formation of the Monash Warwick Alliance was."

Formed in early 2012, the Monash Warwick Alliance represents an innovation in higher education. By combining their strengths, the two institutions will accelerate the exchange of people, ideas and information, and exploit the opportunities offered by their different geographies.

In under a year, the Alliance has secured significant research and education grants from both the Australian government and the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, facilitated the expansion of the award-winning Monash Green Steps program into the UK, and agreed to establish a joint PhD program.

Further details are available on the Monash Warwick Alliance website

For further information please contact:

The University of Warwick: For more information please contact Peter Dunn, Head of Communications, Tel +44 (0)24 76 523708 or p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Monash University: For more information please contact Stacey Mair, Assoc Director Media & Communications: Tel +61 3 9903 4840 or stacey.mair@monash.edu

PR156 PJD 4^th October 2012