“A highly skilled and recognised workforce is essential to the success of Australia’s research infrastructure. Microscopy Australia is proud to support ACRI and contribute to building stronger career pathways, capability and connections across the sector,” – Dr Lisa Yen, Microscopy Australia CEO.
Supporting the research infrastructure workforce is a core strategic priority for Microscopy Australia. Across its national network, highly specialised expertise underpins the delivery of advanced microscopy capability for Australia’s research and innovation system. This commitment is reflected in national initiatives including professional development opportunities like the staff shadowing program and masterclasses, as well as leadership in bringing the Technician Commitment to Australia, helping drive recognition, career development and visibility for technical professionals.
Microscopy Australia also continues to work with international partners to advocate for workforce recognition and career pathways globally. CEO Lisa Yen previously chaired the Global BioImaging working group on Career Pathways for Imaging Scientists, moreover, Dr Yen together with many passionate advocates, including the Executive Director of ACRI, Professor Sach Jayasinghe, has co‑authored influential papers in this area.
The paper, Recognising the importance and impact of Imaging Scientists: Global guidelines for establishing career paths within core facilities, established international recommendations to elevate careers of research infrastructure specialists working in imaging. Building on this, Making the invisible visible: A global examination of careers and recognition for Imaging Scientists in core facilities, draws on international data to highlight the critical but often under‑recognised contribution of these experts, and the need for consistent recognition and workforce sustainability. The first paper was named among the most‑cited articles in the Journal of Microscopy for 2024, reflecting growing global momentum around sustainable career pathways for research infrastructure professionals.
Microscopy Australia is excited to see this momentum building in Australia through the establishment of ACRI and looks forward to contributing to its ongoing development. Through its support of ACRI, Microscopy Australia hopes to build a more connected, capable and recognised research infrastructure workforce: supporting the people that make Australian research and innovation possible.
Making the invisible visible: A global examination of careers and recognition for Imaging Scientists in core facilities. (2026). Journal of Microscopy, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmi.70089
Recognising the importance and impact of Imaging Scientists: Global guidelines for establishing career paths within core facilities. (2024). Journal of Microscopy, 294, 397–410. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmi.13307
May 25, 2026
