The ATNF is one of CSIRO’s national facilities, and one of the best facilities in the world for radio astronomy.

The facility includes telescopes, observatories, instrumentation, archives and talented staff.

In 2025, we announced a new ATNF leadership structure to support our ambitious goals for Australian radio astronomy. Many of these goals are outlined in our vision and vision statement.

This structure is:

Diagram of people and their roles. S&A and ATNF Director at the top, then ATNF program director, then lots of roles on the one level:
Head of science, Head of instrumentation, Head of operations, Head of Software & Scientific Computing, Chief Engineer, Chief Scientist, Chief Technologist.

Those in the roles and a description of those roles are:

  • ATNF Program Director, Céline d’Orgeville
    Céline holds overall responsibility for the ATNF’s day-to‑day operations and leads the ATNF to develop and manage projects which continue our outstanding record in radio astronomy research and innovation. 
  • Head of Science, George Hobbs
    George focuses on science excellence across the ATNF, leads the ATNF Science team, and supports our user community.
  • Head of Instrumentation, Stephanie Smith
    Stephanie leads the group focused on operating and improving our telescope instrumentation and technologies.
  • Head of Operations, Daleen Koch
    Daleen is responsible for the operational excellence of the ATNF telescopes and leads the ATNF Operations team.
  • Head of Software and Scientific Computing, Stephen Ord
    Stephen leads our team and portfolio of projects in software and scientific computing and engages with the global astronomy community on our capability in this area.
  • Chief Engineer, Mark Bowen
    Mark focuses on the delivery of our major instrumentation projects and external contracts, and has responsibility for our standards in project management, engineering design and configuration control.
  • Chief Scientist, Cathryn Trott
    Cath leads the direction for our astrophysics research, development of our research capability strategy, and our engagement with the global astronomy community. 
  • Chief Technologist, Keith Bannister
    Bringing his experience at the intersection of astronomy and engineering, Keith will set the strategy for future ATNF technology development and oversee a portfolio of future-focused technology development projects.  
    Read our profile on Keith.

These strategic, innovative and collaborative leaders will guide our ATNF team and continue the facility’s outstanding research, innovation and service to the radio astronomy community.