Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Associate Professor Phillip Smith

• 1967 B.Sc.Hons.(First Class), Monash University, Victoria, Australia
• 1971 Ph.D. in Theoretical Solid State Physics, Monash University, Victoria, Australia

All of my research has been in the area of theoretical solid state physics, surface physics and nanotechnology. Initial research was concerned with the study of disordered systems and localized electron states (1967-1973), and the electronic properties of dilute substitutional transition metal impurities in simple and transition metal hosts (1974-81). This latter work was complemented by studies of the energetics and diffusion of dilute hydrogen interstitial impurities in transition and noble metal hosts (1974-83).

In more recent years (1983 - ), all of my research effort has been in the general area of surface physics. This has resulted in the development and application of a wide variety of different theoretical methods for studying clean and chemisorbed surfaces. Alongside our on-going research in surface physics, we also currently have an active research interest in the study of the properties and growth processes of single-walled nanotubes.

• Professor G.Siefert, Institut fur Physikalische Chemie, Technische Universitat, Dresden, Germany
• Professor Y. Kawazoe, Institute for Materials Research, Tohuku University, Sendai, Japan
• Dr. Y. Chen, Research School of Phys. Sci. & Eng., Australian National University, Canberra

• 1971 Nuffield Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
• 1972 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.
• 1973 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
• 1974 - 75 Queen Elizabeth Research Fellowship, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
• 1976 - Member of the Australian Institute of Physics
• 1982 - 83 SERC Senior Visiting Research Fellowship, Physics Department, University of York, UK.
• 1982 - 83 Royal Society & Nuffield Foundation Bursary, 1982-3, Physics Department, University of York, UK.
• 1988 British Council ALIS and SERC Fellowships, Physics Department, University of Warwick, UK.
• 1996 Senior Visiting Research Fellowship, Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
• 1997 Senior Visiting Research Fellowship, Chemistry Department, State University of North Carolina, USA.
• 1997 - Australian Representative, International Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Structure of Surfaces.

• 1971, 1972 Nuffield Research Fellow, H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, Bristol University, Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom.
• 1973 Research Fellow, Physics Department, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
• 1974, 1975 Queen Elizabeth Research Fellow, Physics Department, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., Australia.
• 1976, 1977 Lecturer, Physics Department, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, N.S.W., Australia.
• 1978 - 1982 Senior Lecturer, Physics Department, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, N.S.W. Australia.
• 1982 - 1983 Senior Visiting Research Scientist, Physics Dept., University of York, UK. (OSPRO).
• 1983 - Associate Professor of Physics, Physics Department, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, N.S.W., Australia.
• 1985 - 1988 Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Science.
• 1996 - 1997 Senior Visiting Research Scientist, Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, UK (OSPRO).
• 1997 Senior Visiting Research Scientist, Chemistry Department, State University of North Carolina, USA (OSPRO).
• 1997 - Australian Representative, International Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Structure of Surfaces.
• 1998 - 2001 Head of Physics Department, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
• 2000 - 2001 Deputy Head, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.