The Chief Defence Scientist of the Department of Defence, and the head of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Professor Robert Clark, will be leaving the position in October at the completion of his three-year tenure.

 

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon praised the Professor Clark for his contributions Defence Science.

 

“Professor Clark has built a forward-looking applied research program across twelve scientific domains that include cyber, space and underwater programs. “Most notably Professor Clark re-focused DSTO to support Defence operations much more directly.

 

“He initiated the concept of DSTO fly-away teams to rapidly introduce DSTO advances into operational zones.  This has lead to important improvements in force protection for ADF soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

 

“Under the leadership of Professor Clark, DSTO’s core international relationships with the United States and the United Kingdom have been strengthened to the mutual benefit of our collective Defence Organisations,” Mr Snowdon said.

 

Professor Clark has had a long connection with Defence, having joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as a Cadet Midshipman in 1969.  Following graduation from the RAN College and with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New South Wales, Professor Clark served in eight RAN ships gaining a range of professional qualifications before leaving the Navy in 1979.

 

Professor Clark returned to Defence as the Chief Defence Scientist in October 2008, bringing with him significant national and international expertise and a strong reputation as an eminent scientist in the field of quantum computing.

 

Dr Ian Sare, the Deputy Chief Defence Scientist, Platform & Human Systems, will take up the position of acting Chief Defence Scientist on Professor Clark’s departure. The Chief Defence Scientist position will be advertised in the coming weeks.