His research interests include big data computing, cloud computing, computer networks, optimization and machine learning, networked control systems, and cyber-physical system security. The areas of applications of his research include power systems, hospitals, medical big data, vehicular networks, and transport systems.

Professor Tian is the Editor-in-Chief for Handbook of Real-Time Computing, a book series of major reference works published by Springer. As an Associate Editor, he is serving the journal of Information Sciences published by Elsevier and Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering published by Wiley. He is an ACM Reviewer for Computing Reviews. He is a technology provider to several Australian companies for big data computing, cloud computing, networks and communications, power systems, and medical systems. Prof Tian has supervised nearly 30 Higher Degree Research (HDR) students to completion, and has provided supervision and mentoring to 30+ postdocs and research fellows.