Reporter 9/12/98: Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Schlumberger Professorship of Complex Physical Systems

1. Problems of fundamental and technological importance which commonly arise from the large differences between the scales of various physical processes, and the scale of the phenomenon under investigation, have long been identified in a wide variety of scientific and engineering contexts. Previously many of these complex problems have been treated on an ad hoc basis, but in recent years a range of important new mathematical techniques have been developed which can be applied to these multi-scale problems. Within the University, members of several Departments have played a significant part in these and related developments, which are considered to have the potential for widespread application.

2. In recognition of the opportunity that the University provides for the advancement of these mathematical modelling techniques in an academic environment where mathematical excellence is complemented by an understanding of mechanics and theoretical physics, Schlumberger Ltd have generously offered a benefaction of £2m for the endowment of a Professorship of Complex Physical Systems, to be established in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. This benefaction will be supplemented by a further grant of £500,000 over five years for the provision of additional academic and support staff. The Faculty Board of Mathematics have warmly welcomed this proposal.

3. Following this proposed benefaction, the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics wish to facilitate scientific interchange with Schlumberger Cambridge Research, a subsidiary company of Schlumberger Ltd, on a range of important problems in oil reservoir characterization and multiphase flow modelling, with particular reference to problems linking processes and measurements taking place at reservoir, wellbore, and pore scales. The opportunity for frequent interaction will be greatly enhanced when the Department moves to the new Centre for Mathematical Sciences at Clarkson Road, which is currently under construction.

4. The holder of the Professorship would be expected to play a leading role in developing a substantial research programme in multi-scale modelling and, by attracting a group of outstanding researchers with expertise in a wide range of appropriate techniques and applications, to build up an informal centre of excellence. The Professor would also be expected to provide leadership for the development of an associated teaching programme. The Faculty Board of Mathematics have advised the General Board that the Professorship would be expected to attract a strong field of well qualified candidates.

5. The General Board have agreed to propose the establishment of a Schlumberger Professorship of Complex Physical Systems supported by the proposed benefaction. They have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board that elections to the Professorship should be made by a standing Board of Electors; they have also agreed that they will invite Schlumberger Cambridge Research to suggest the name of one person for inclusion among the General Board's three nominations to the Board of Electors. They have agreed that, on this occasion, candidature should be open to all persons whose work falls within the scope of the title of the Professorship.

I. That the generous offer of a benefaction from Schlumberger Ltd for the establishment of a Professorship and the support of work on multi-scale modelling be gratefully accepted.

II. That a Schlumberger Professorship of Complex Physical Systems be established from 1 April 1999, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.

III. That regulations for a Schlumberger Complex Physical Systems Fund, as set out in the Schedule to this Report, be approved.

ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor	PETER LIPTON	MICHAEL PEPPER
JOHN E. CARROLL	N. J. MACKINTOSH	ADRIAN POOLE
D. A. GOOD	D. H. MELLOR	KATE PRETTY
D. E. L. JOHNSTON	A. C. MINSON	N. O. WEISS
JOHN A. LEAKE

SCHEDULE
Schlumberger Complex Physical Systems Fund

1. The sums received from Schlumberger Ltd for the support of work on multi-scale modelling shall form a fund called the Schlumberger Complex Physical Systems Fund.

Managers in classes (b) and (d) shall be appointed in the Michaelmas Term to serve for four years from 1 January following their appointment. Members in class (e) shall serve until 31 December of the year in which they are co-opted or of the following year, as the Managers shall decide at the time of their co-optation.

3. The first charge on the income of the Fund shall be the stipend, national insurance, pension contributions, and associated indirect costs payable by the University in respect of the Schlumberger Professor of Complex Physical Systems and of the holders of such posts as may be established by the General Board as a charge on the Fund.

4. After provision has been made in accordance with Regulation 3, the income of the Fund shall be applied at the discretion of the Managers for the support of work in multi-scale modelling in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.

5. Any unexpended income of the Fund in a financial year may be either added to the capital of the Fund or accumulated for use as income in future years, as the Managers shall determine.

(a)	the Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics as Chairman;
(b)	three persons appointed by the General Board, one of whom shall be appointed on the nomination of Schlumberger Cambridge Research;
(c)	the Schlumberger Professor of Complex Physical Systems;
(d)	one person appointed by the Faculty Board of Mathematics;
(e)	not more than two persons co-opted at the discretion of the Managers.

Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Schlumberger Professorship of Complex Physical Systems

SCHEDULE Schlumberger Complex Physical Systems Fund

SCHEDULE
Schlumberger Complex Physical Systems Fund