CSIRO has announced Dr Philip Diamond as the new chief of the Astronomy and Space Sciences Division.

Dr Diamond earned his Bachelor of Science degree (majors in Physics and Astrophysics) from Leeds University and his PhD in Radio Astronomy from Manchester University.

Since then 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.

He was also the director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, leading the strategic research and management of the internationally renowned facility.

Dr Diamond will now work closely with CSIRO SKA director Dr Brian Boyle to support Australia’s international SKA bid.

CSIRO’s Group Executive of Information Sciences Dr Alex Zelinsky says Dr Diamond has contributed to a significant number of scientific publications with over 300 papers, including prestigious publications such as Nature and Science.

“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,” Dr Zelinsky says.

 “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 commence his role on June 1, succeeding acting chief Dr Lewis Ball.

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