A WORLD CLASS MARINE SCIENCE RESEARCH FACILITY

Registration of Research Interest

Invitation

The ATRF invites Australian and international organisations, and individuals, to register interest in basing 2005 research activities at the ATRF marine science laboratory/offices in Darwin, Australia. View ATRF's statement of access policy

ATRF background

The Arafura Timor Research Facility (ATRF) in Darwin was constructed using a $3.25m Australian Government Major National Research Facility (MNRF) grant. It was established to facilitate natural and social sciences research in the Arafura and Timor seas region to the north of Australia. The facility will focus on supporting multidisciplinary research and collaboration/cooperation of organisations and individuals.

Research

This first stage of the facility will service research by the Joint Venture partners, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and The Australian National University, plus a selection of appropriate research projects from the Registration of Research Interest process, as determined by the ATRF Scientific Oversight & Access Committee.

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Office and Laboratory Facilities

The ATRF building is approximately 1100m² in area with 9 offices; 8 at 14.5m² and 1 office at 29m² as shown on the floor plan below. The single large office will be dedicated to short term "hot-desk" accommodation, usually in support of laboratory users. All offices are airconditioned and carpeted. A fax/printer/colour photocopier is located in the middle of the building near the staff entry, and toilets and shower facilities are located at each end of the building. The offices, Project Room and kitchen facility are fully equipped.

The Project Architect was assisted in the laboratory design by a group of scientists called the Scientific User Advisory Group, drawn from AIMS in Townsville. This group assisted the Architect with user-advice. The laboratory holds all the usual equipment such as centrifuges, freezers, incubators, plus a Leica compound microscope. ATRF has acquired a Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (SIRMS) through a Charles Darwin University-led ARC LIEF Grant

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ATRF provides public liability and building insurance, cleaning (floors and bins) once a week, internet access, landscaping, and maintenance. Access is by swipe cards; the building has an extensive back-to-base alarm system, with regular out of hours patrols.

As the ATRF is located on the ANU-owned North Australia Research Unit (NARU) site, there is access to on-site accommodation and rental of station wagon or 4-wheel drive vehicles.

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Cost

All research access will be on a user-pays basis as determined by the ATRF board.

Registration

Should be typed in English and briefly answer as best you can (1 page maximum) the questions following. Further information will be requested as needed

1. What is the nature of your research?
2. How will your research link to the ATRF's role?
3. How many researchers might you wish to place at the ATRF?
4. What are your laboratory space requirements?
5. What are your office space requirements?
6. What are your specialised laboratory equipment requirements?
7. What are your IT requirements?
8. What are the start/finish dates for your proposed research at the ATRF?
9. What are your contact details, including e/mail address, postal address, telephone and fax numbers?

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Lodgement

Please address your Registration of Interest to

Registration of Interest
Arafura Timor Research Facility
PO Box 41775
Casuarina NT 0811

or lodge by email to atrf@atrf.org.au

Enquiries

by email atrf@atrf.org.au; or
to Stuart Fitch, Chief Executive Officer, ATRF
61 (0)8 8920 9277.

Advice

All expressions of interest will receive advice of receipt by e/mail at your nominated e/mail address. The Scientific Oversight & Access Committee will meet to consider expressions of interest and seek further information as required.

Registrants will be kept briefed by e/mail on developments regarding the commissioning of the facility.

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