AITC - Research Program Manager Update

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue47 1–31 December 2023

I came back to Canberra, Australia, and to AITC and RSAA in April this year to take up the position as AITC’s Research Program Manager and the Chief Operating Officer for Astralis – Australian’s National Capability for Optical Astronomy Instrumentation.

I have always been passionate about connecting modern technologies to solve modern problems. This passion has guided me through my career path, as a researcher, a research manager, a business development manager, and an entrepreneur, and it has now guided me back to AITC. AITC is such a place where different disciplines interact closely to create new technologies and instruments; I also view it as the place where we can potentially join the latest technologies to create solutions not just for astronomy but also for the broader society.
 
Of course, my work started from learning the instrumentation world, and understanding our capabilities and resources. So, for the last 8 months, my work has been focused on the following aspects for AITC:

1.     Capability Mapping & Visualisation
The September version of AITC Research Program is shown in the image above. Since then, we have been actively working on building the Artificial Intelligence (AI) elements into our work. I have also developed a detailed skill & expertise map, which I will consult people about in the new year before making it public.

2.     Implementation of the Research Program Quarterly Report
The purpose of this is to monitor AITC research projects, to spot issues and risks early to reduce or eliminate (if possible) their impact as well as to capture achievements and celebrate them as deserved. I have been working on improving the reporting format to make it an efficient and effective process. Note, Q4 is finishing, and we are soon up for another Quarterly report.
 
3.     Implementation of Academic Time for ECRs
I have started the project, and yet to develop it further to ensure we have utilised this academic time to develop enabling technologies.
 
4.     Event organising and coordination
AITC has been a very popular touring destination – between May and November 2023, we had 12 organised tours with about 200 visitors from astronomy community, industry, and government.
 
For Astralis, I have visited Astralis-USyd and Astralis-AAO Nodes at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University respectively, aiming to understand the capabilities we have and build the relationship. I have been and am still working on updating the Astralis Consortium Agreement now that we have passed the establishment phase, and into the new phase aiming to build a sustainable future for Australian Optical and Infrared Instrumentation capabilities.
 
Of course, I did not forget my entrepreneurial work. My own start-up – InvisoTech is now into a new phase where we are negotiating with a US company for joint ventures; and I have also been working on two other start-ups, both are focused on technology development. I believe one day, my entrepreneurial path will join the instrumentation world, and I hope that day won’t be too far!
 
Nian (Jenny) Jiang