Robert Clark (physicist)

Last updated

Robert Clark
NationalityAustralian
Title Chief Defence Scientist
Term2008 to 2011
Predecessor Roger Lough
Successor Alex Zelinsky
Alma mater University of New South Wales
Awards
Scientific career
Fields quantum computing
Institutions
Thesis Enhanced Nuclear Magnetism  (1983)

Robert Graham Clark is an Australian physicist. He was appointed Professor and Chair of Energy Strategy and Policy at University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2012. [3] [4] Prior to this he was Chief Defence Scientist from 2008 to 2011 [5] and Professor of Experimental Physics at University of New South Wales, where he established the National Magnet Laboratory and Semiconductor Nanofabrication Facility. [6]

Clark joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Cadet Midshipman in 1969. He graduated from the RAN college with a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales, then served on eight ships before leaving the navy in 1979. [5] He holds an MA from Oxford and a PhD from the University of New South Wales. [6] He took several positions at UNSW, culminating in Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, before taking on the role of Chief Defence Scientist. [7]

Clark was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2013 "for distinguished service to science and technology through leadership and governance of the scientific community of the Australian Defence Force and through contributions to quantum computing and nanotechnology". [8] and was awarded the Centenary Medal on 1 January 2001 "for contribution to world leading research in the field of quantum computing and physics". [9] He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2001), a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (2009), and has received numerous other acknowledgements and awards. [4]

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References

  1. "Walter Boas Medal". Australian Institute of Physics. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  2. "Professor Robert Clark AO". Australian Energy Research Institute, University of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  3. "Australia's Energy Policy". Australian Nuclear Association.
  4. 1 2 "Professor Robert Clark AO FAA FRSN". University of NSW, Canberra.
  5. 1 2 Department of Defence Ministers (1 August 2011). "Chief Defence Scientist to depart in October". Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Robert Clark". RiAus - Australia’s Science Channel. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Professor Robert Clark takes DSTO reins". Australian Defence Magazine. Yaffa Media. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  8. "Officer of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Australian Government. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  9. "Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Australian Government. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
Government offices
Preceded by Chief Defence Scientist of Australia
2008–2011
Succeeded by