James Tickner
Dr James Tickner is Chief Scientist and a co-founder of Chrysos Corporation. He heads the Science and Innovation team responsible for developing Chrysos’ next-generation products. Previously, as Chief Technology Officer he was responsible for the development of Chrysos’ flagship PhotonAssay technology.
Before Chrysos, he worked for 18 years at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), leading a team of researchers and engineers developing radiation-based instruments for challenging measurement and image problems in the minerals and security industries. Technologies invented and commercialised by his group include on-stream X-ray analysis systems, on-belt neutron-gamma analysers, a novel fast-neutron Air Cargo Scanner and Chrysos’ PhotonAssay.
Significant career awards include the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation, the ATSE Clunies Ross Technology Innovation Award, the CSIRO Chair’s Medal, the Eureka Prize for Science in Support of Defence or National Security, and the Australian Academy of Science Frederick White Prize. In 2024, he was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
Dr Tickner has a degree in physics and a D.Phil in particle physics from Oxford University. He has authored more than 110 papers and articles in the fields of particle physics, nuclear instrumentation, data analysis and simulation and is a holder of numerous patents.