DATE: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:50:55 +1100 SUBJECT: New Chief of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science Dear Colleagues, CSIRO has announced the appointment of Dr Phil Diamond to the role of Chief of the CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science division as described in the media release below. Phil will take up his new role on 1 June 2010 and will work closely with Dr Brian Boyle (CSIRO SKA Director) to support Australia's participation in the international SKA project. Dr Lewis Ball will continue in the role of Acting Chief, CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science until June and will support the incoming Chief and the division through the transition period. The new CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science division brings together CSIRO's radio astronomy capabilities (the Australia Telescope National Facility), NASA Operations (including the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex), CSIRO Space Sciences and Technology, and the CSIRO Boeing Advisor. Best regards, Robert Braun _____________________________________________________ Robert Braun Assistant Director Astrophysics Theme & Research Program Leader CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science Phone: (+61) (0)2 9372 4100 Direct: (+61) (0)2 9372 4271 FAX: (+61) (0)2 9372 4310 Mobile: (+61) (0)4 4841 8701 PO Box 76 Epping NSW 1710 Australia _____________________________________________________ MEDIA RELEASE: New leader of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Sciences division Following an extensive search and selection process, a senior researcher and university executive, Dr Philip Diamond, has been appointed Chief of CSIRO's Astronomy and Space Sciences Division. CSIRO's Group Executive, Information Sciences, Dr Alex Zelinsky, welcomed Dr Diamond's appointment. "As Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, Dr Diamond led the strategic research and management of the internationally renowned facility," Dr Zelinsky said. "His role has also included coordination of PrepSKA, the important Preparatory Phase study for the A$2.5billion international Square Kilometre Array project." Prior to his current appointment at Manchester University, Dr Diamond was the Director of the MERLIN and VLBI National Facility at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Dr Diamond holds a Bachelor of Science degree (majors in Physics and Astrophysics) from Leeds University, and a PhD in Radio Astronomy from Manchester University, both in the UK. Since gaining his PhD he has worked at the Onsala Space Observatory in Sweden, the Max-Planck Institute for Radioastronomy in Bonn, Germany and spent 12 years in various positions within the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the USA. "In addition to Dr Diamond's extensive professional experience, he has been an active scientist supervising PhD students and post-doctoral research fellows who have worked on important breakthroughs in astronomy. He has contributed to a significant number of scientific publications with over 300 papers, including prestigious publications such as Nature and Science, and books," Dr Zelinsky said. "As the new Chief of CSIRO's Astronomy and Space Sciences Division, his aspirations are to continue to foster Australia's reputation for exceptional radio astronomy while strengthening the linkages between astronomical and space sciences. "We are delighted that CSIRO has been able to attract a person of Dr Diamond's calibre and experience. His appointment will be a real asset to the organisation and his leadership will be critical to CSIRO's continued drive to build world-class national facilities for radio astronomy. Dr Diamond will work closely with Dr Brian Boyle, CSIRO SKA Director to support Australia's international SKA bid." Dr Diamond will commence as Chief of CSIRO's Astronomy and Space Sciences Division on 1 June 2010. Full media release: http://www.csiro.au/news/New-leader-of-CASS.html More information on the new CSIRO Astronomy and Spaces Science division: http://www.csiro.au/news/Astronomy-Space-Science-Division.html