This website contains a wide range of resources related to astro, academia, UniMelb and many other things that I use regularly or have come across. I hope that this will benefit you in your time at UniMelb or beyond [or even if you are not a UniMelb!].
This website has various items related to "how to" in terms of getting set up etc. , within the department as well as other information which you may find relevant for your research, writing, career or other aspects.
It also includes a lot of miscellaneous references that I had come across and found useful. It is biased to the field of astro, but I very much welcome all suggestions!!
This website is a work in progress and will continually be updated. If you have any comments/suggestions or would like to add something. Please feel free to contact me (Katie). I would love to hear from you!
Incredibly excellent resource put together by the UniMelb Postgraduate Physics Students Society. It covers everything from a checklist of what you should do in the first few weeks of starting your PhD, who's who in the department, committees within the school of physics, what a MSc and PhD entails, scholarships, application processes for PhD, administration, milestones, guidance on research, making most out of you meetings, outreach, teaching, personal care, your life in the university and everything else in between. Check it out:
If you are in the MSc and are unsure about the assessement for your thesis, please have a look at this pdf put together by Nithin and Tong. Note that please always check on LMS to see if anything has changed, but this is a good starting point!
You can find a timetable of key dates for the physics MSC/Grad Dip Advanced for 2025 here
When working with others such as supervisors, other students, researchers, collaborators etc, it is very important to set the expectations of how both parties (i.e, for example a student and a supervisor) are as early as possible and to make sure to come back to them and revise as the relationship evolves. A lot of the times issues arise from missed matched expectations from both the side of e.g., the student and the supervisor or the collaborators. Here are some expectations that I have put together for students and supervisors (with guidance from many different colleagues and students that I have worked with over the year which you could also adapt): here
If you are an undergraduate who is interested in doing a Masters degree at Melbourne, you may be looking for information about what a MSc entails, how do you connect to supervisors and other experiences of students during their MSc program. The Physics Student Society and Postgraduate Physics Students Society held a panel of current (2021) Masters of Physics students talk about their experiences. Check out the panel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r_5gLkh-0E
Includes everything from VPN to cloud computing services and everything in between (note this is seriously incomplete and needs to be updated/added to!).
For support requests go to http://studentit.unimelb.edu.au/#reportfault.
UniMelb PhD Thesis template can be found e.g., here or if you want an overleaf link: https://www.overleaf.com/read/mffftvkzdghy. The previous links may or may not be compatible with the guidelines of the university, so please double check first. However, Dr. Lucy Strang also very kindly put together a UniMelb PhD Thesis template that is compatible with the guidelines set forth by the University of Melbourne. You can find it here: https://github.com/lcstrang/melbthesis. Thank you Lucy!
Example of a MSc Thesis latex template can be found here.
Maybe you are worried about what constitutes a MSc or PhD thesis and seeing an example of these theses could help? Well the Postgraduate Physics Student Society keeps a library of past students’ masters and PhD theses that have been donated here: https://gitlab.unimelb.edu.au/ppss/thesis-library/. Note these theses are NOT public and so sign in happens via a university login - just request access, and a committee member will approve you asap!
You are automatically in some School of Physics wide mailing lists with your unimelb address. Add yourself to the others using the below links (sometimes somebody will have to accept your subscription request):
astro@physics.unimelb.edu.au (Please contact your supervisor or Kim or reception to be added to these mailing lists.)
OzGrav mailing lists if relevant. (Kim can add you!)
You will also be added to astrostudents and phd student related lists as well.
Talk to your supervisor to make sure you are added to the required lists!
If you are a MSc/grad student, I highly suggest joining the Postgraduate Physics Students Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/127186997483965/ and https://physics.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-students/postgraduate-physics-students-society
I also suggest looking/joining/being apart of the Graduate Student Association who represents enrolled graduate students at the University of Melbourne. They provide representation, events, training and support for students: https://gsa.unimelb.edu.au/
There are also slack channels within the department (use your unimelb email address only).
Astrophysics at UniMelb - https://join.slack.com/t/astrophysicsatunimelb/shared_invite/zt-2zjrc5u6s-SP8RKEb_wF93BiueDkmSAw - If this link does not work, please send an email to katie.auchettl@unimelb.edu.au
OzGrav slack channel (you will get an invite when and if you join OzGrav)
List of variety of events held within the department that are both astro-related and those which are not can be found here. (note has not been updated yet)
DEIJC is held every 3 weeks on Wednesdays from 1:00-1:45pm.
All are welcome and highly encouraged to attend and to suggest papers.
In order to assist staff and students with any queries they may have or need to report, the THREE mailboxes below have been set up to direct these to.
physics-adminstaff@unimelb.edu.au – this mailbox is for Student-, event-, general admin- and access-related queries
ph-facilities@unimelb.edu.au – this mailbox is fo ALL Facility-related issues
ph-hr@unimelb.edu.au – this mailbox is for ALL HR-related issues
Please contact the following administration staff (ground floor), if you have any questions relating to:
General enquiries, mail, couriers, stationery, log books, access cards, keys, colloquia and seminars, July lectures – Room 111- Reception
Appointments with Head of Department, HR, promotions, honorary professorial fellows, visitor and honorary appointments, casual contracts, e-recruitment entries and follow up, alumni and major events – physics-ea@unimelb.edu.au ext 45453, Room 105
GR (PhD, MPhil), MSc/GDA and Ugrad student matters, student prizes and scholarships, student events, Outreach support – Poppy Gatsios ext 46246, Room 103
All other enquiries email physics-adminstaff@unimelb.edu.au
All School of Physics staff and students MUST READ the EH&S manual which is located on the School website.
Please make yourself familiar with this manual and contact your supervisor if you have any issues with EH&S.
The School of Physics EHS Coordinator is Melaku Alemu - melaku.alemu@unimelb.edu.au. He is situated on level 3 in the Part 1 labs.
Keys can be arranged by obtaining a brief email from your supervisor stating which office you will be using, and presenting this to Business Services, Level 1, 11 Barry Street. Keys will be issued to you on the spot. Keys should be returned to 11 Barry St, when no longer needed.
For swipe access, please email physics-adminstaff@unimelb.edu.au, with the following information, with approval from your supervisor:
Full Name:
Student ID Number:
Email Address:@uni
Faculty & Department:
Position (E.g., Academic, GR Student, Honorary, Professional Staff, Research Visitor, Lab Visitor):
Group/ Centre that he/she is a part of:
Access End Date:
Areas Require Access (As per https://safety.physics.unimelb.edu.au/research-groups/)
Have you completed the lab inductions for the lab accesses you are requesting?
Have you completed the Self-guided online School of Physics Induction? (For students, you must also conduct a face-to-face induction with Melaku) https://unimelbcloud.sharepoint.com/teams/SchoolofPhysicsEnvironmentHealthSafety
Have you completed all relevant safety trainings on TrainMe as specified in the self-guided online School of Physics Induction (Both Core & Hazard Specific Training)?
Please attach supervisor/lab manager's approval in email or form
All staff and students are reminded to secure their valuables in their office during the day and to lock their office when leaving. The Traffic & Security Office is located at 11 Barry Street level 1. University Security operates 24 hour a day and are contactable on ext.46666 for emergencies. Campus Security Patrols are available to escort staff and students to their cars, public transport, colleges or other locations in or in the near vicinity of campus.
There are two ways of booking rooms in the Physics building. One of them is run by Physics and can be used by students. One of them is run by the University as a whole, has some rooms missing, and is not accessible to students. Neither of these systems communicate with each other. Moving forwards, we will treat the bookings made on the Physics-only system as truth.
The true system for booking a room is the physics intranet internal booking tool available at: https://bookings.ph.unimelb.edu.au. Note this link won't work if you are not on the university network or not using a VPN.
This system takes the precedence over the University-wide Outlook calendar, which is not accessible to students. If you have a booking in Outlook, please make sure you move it over to the physics intranet, and then use physics intranet for the future.
There are a number of opportunities available for students to apply for when they would like to travel, plus they look really good on your CV. A few options in Semester 1 2025 are below:
Dr Alan Kenneth Head PhD International Research Award – applications close on 31 March 2025
Jean E Laby PhD Travelling Scholarships - applications close on 31 March 2025
Jean Laby Women in Physics Travel Award - applications close on 31 March 2025
Dr Jean E Laby Bursaries - applications close on 10 March 2025
Margaret M Loughlan McCutcheon Prize - applications close on 10 March 2025
Science Abroad Travelling Scholarships - Physics 2025 - Round 1 - The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Science – applications close on 31 March
Mental health:
Mental Health First Aid training for staff - https://uomtrainme.elmotalent.com.au/learning/courses?courseview=503
CAPS- support for staff including secondary consults - https://services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel/home#services-for-staff
Supporting students in a crisis
Student outreach referral
Non urgent matters but an opportunity to have an Adviser reach out to students to identify what support is needed
https://staff.unimelb.edu.au/students-teaching/support-for-students/student-outreach-and-referral
For International students starting in Melbourne:
International student checklist (including ‘get set up in Melbourne’) - https://students.unimelb.edu.au/new-students/international-student-checklist
List of potential research opportunities can be found here.
Research skills: https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/developing-my-skills/research-skills
Academic writing and communication: https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/developing-my-skills/academic-writing-and-communication-skills
Professional development: https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/developing-my-skills/development-and-training
PhD programs: https://research.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research/your-research-options/phd-programs
Career preparation: https://students.unimelb.edu.au/careers
Graduate Student Association: https://gsa.unimelb.edu.au
Murrup Barak Indigenous student support: https://murrupbarak.unimelb.edu.au/
Counselling and Psychological Services: https://services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel
Student equity and disability support: https://students.unimelb.edu.au/student-support/student-equity-and-disability-support
To find published papers and preprints in astronomy and physics, the four main websites you can use are:
See the new astronomy papers posted to arXiv every day via: https://arxiv.org/list/astro-ph/new
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/ (astro focused)
https://inspirehep.net/ (more high energy content)
It is recommended to the following Chrome extension that lets you automatically skirt through academic paywalls if you have a Unimelb student account: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/search-tools/lean-library
Writing scientific papers; https://arxiv.org/pdf/2110.05503.pdf
A good example that writing a paper is not a linear process: https://twitter.com/realscientists/status/1369995661253480450
Good insight into the difference between undergraduate study and what it is like doing MSc and/or PhD research - papers, research, theses etc take multiple iterations it is very different from getting a grade or doing homework/exam in a class: https://twitter.com/cesifoti/status/1437043299852996608
Useful tools for finding, reading and keep track of arXiv papers in astro: https://twitter.com/FloorAstro/status/1371531751508619264
If you find that you have a DOI number but what a bibtex reference for latex, this can help find it for you: https://www.doi2bib.org/
Advice for making posters for conferences can be found here.
How to write a good conference abstract: https://twitter.com/vicgrinberg/status/1378277567602495491 and https://twitter.com/elvisha9/status/1396911495766806531
Astronomy Paper Seminar Participation Guide & Reading Walkthrough: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020arXiv200612566C/abstract
Guide to public speaking: https://www.hfstevance.com/blog/publicspeaking
Programming languages and Mathematical packages - this includes guide to good code, python, plots, C++ and other coding languages.
Beginners guide to github: https://medium.com/swlh/a-beginners-guide-to-github-e4747a93765c
Basic git commands: https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucketserver/basic-git-commands-776639767.html
Swinburne's Cookies and Code sessions which give a wide variety of programming tips for python and other aspects: https://github.com/swincas/cookies-n-code
Guide for scientific visualisation: https://github.com/rougier/scientific-visualization-book
Statistical Machine Learning for Astronomy - https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.12230
Quick guide to installing Ubuntu can be found here.
Unix/Linux/Ubuntu training for beginners see http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix/
Basic terminal commands: https://github.com/fedhere/FBBTeamResources/blob/master/bashCommands.md
What's so special about science: https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.342.6160.817
What does success mean to you? It is really important to think about one's research or job within the larger frame work of your personal values and goals. This article here: https://arxiv.org/abs/1805.09963 provides readers guidance in articulating what is important to them, and aligning their career choices with those values. A summary of this article can be found here: https://astrobites.org/2018/08/17/what-does-success-mean-to-you/
Media related - Regarding raising your media profile, you can register as a scientific expert here, which gives Australian media your contact details to comment on relevant media releases https://www.scimex.org/builders/expert-registration
Moving to another country - bureaucratic and financial matters - One part of being in academia (or the job market) is that there is the opportunity to move countries. However, this brings it own challenges as each country have different bureaucratic requirements and things that you have to learn about that a lot of times you have to have "local knowledge" or you learn on the run. My husband and I have had the privilege to have lived in multiple countries and there is a lot of things we picked up along the way which we would have loved to have known before moving which may have helped make a lot of the transition easier, especially in terms of bureaucratic and financial matters. My husband has put together a blog of resources that we have/ he has found helpful over the years. At the moment there is some general discussion about the things to consider and more country focused topics related to the US, Germany and Australia. For Australian based individuals there is discussion about Superannuation that you may find relevant. However, there maybe other helpful information for you to check out: https://www.expatfinance.us/
How to make an academic personal website, blog on astrobetter by Emily Moravec: https://www.astrobetter.com/blog/2021/05/04/creating-a-website-to-promote-your-scientific-work/
ArXiv article on this: https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.08553 and
BAAS article: https://baas.aas.org/pub/2020i0332/release/1
Multiwavelength databases of data for a whole variety of sources.
Excellent astro teaching resource: https://astroteaching.github.io/
How to make finding charts can be found here
Check the visibility of your source by using: http://catserver.ing.iac.es/staralt/index.php
Standard stars that you will need to observe when taking optical observations, here is a list. This list is ideal for observing from the ANU 2.3m telescope. For other instruments, there may be a better list.
Hints for classifying spectra see here.
If you are observing on WiFeS you there are a few things that you will need. Here I have summarised some of the more important things here.
If you are observing on AAT you there are a few things that you will need. Here I have summarised some of the more important things here.