The GENERAL BOARD beg leave to report to the University as follows:
1. In order to retain its pre-eminent position in Astrophysics at a time of significant change for the discipline as a whole, the Department of Physics is working with the Institute of Astronomy to ensure that Cambridge is well-positioned to play a leadership role in international programmes. The formation of the Kavli Institute (Reporter, 2006-07, p. 119) is an important step in this process and provides opportunities for consolidation and co-ordination of activities. It is strategically desirable to make a senior appointment in the field of experimental astrophysics to focus and strengthen the scientific leadership of research in this area in the Department.
2. Professor R. E. Hills, the Professor of Radio Astronomy, has been appointed as Atacama Large Millimetre Array Project Scientist from 1 November 2007 for three years and he has been granted unpaid leave of absence for that period. In order to ensure continuity of leadership, and to take forward a substantial new effort in the broader area of Experimental Astrophysics, the Faculty Board of Physics and Chemistry have advised the General Board that a senior academic of high international renown should be appointed in advance of Professor Hills's retirement on 30 September 2012. The General Board have accepted the Faculty Board's case, which is supported by the Council of the School of the Physical Sciences and propose that a Professorship of Experimental Astrophysics be established, on the basis that the Professorship of Radio Astronomy be suppressed on Professor Hills's retirement.
3. Until the existing Professorship is suppressed, the additional non-recurrent costs of the stipend of the new Professor will be met from the funds released by Professor Hills's period of unpaid leave, underwritten by funds at the disposal of the Department of Physics as necessary. The Board are assured that this Professorship will be likely to attract a strong field of well-qualified candidates and that any set-up costs for the new Professor will be met by the School or Department.
4. The General Board accordingly propose that a Professorship of Experimental Astrophysics should be established in the University from 1 October 2007 and assigned to the Department of Physics. They have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board concerned that election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors and that candidature should be open without limitation or preference to all candidates whose work falls within the general title of the office.
5. The General Board recommend: That a Professorship of Experimental Astrophysics be established in the University from 1 October 2007, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Physics, on condition that the Professorship of Radio Astronomy be suppressed on the retirement of the current holder.
| 6 June 2007 | ALISON RICHARD, Vice-Chancellor | RICHARD FRIEND | MELVEENA MCKENDRICK |
| JOHN BELL | JACOB HEAD | KAMIAR MOHADDES | |
| TOM BLUNDELL | RICHARD HUNTER | PATRICK SISSONS | |
| WILLIAM BROWN | D. W. B. MACDONALD | I. H. WHITE | |
| PHILIP FORD |