Our researchers
Find out about the experts behind our world-class research and how we support their innovative work.
Experts delivering impact and value
Our researchers are exploring the frontiers of science and technology. We're tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time, and our people are our most valuable resource.
Our areas of focus include weather and environmental prediction, climate variability and change, Earth system modelling, water research and space weather research. We partner with relevant national and international research centres, as well as industry and private enterprise.
We're expanding our capabilities for multidisciplinary Earth sciences, social sciences, next-generation scientific and high-performance computing, and transformative approaches to data science, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. This is also fostered through partnerships with universities to support students, post-doctoral fellows and academics.
Our team also focuses on the transition of research into operations, accelerating the transition of experimental systems and concepts to operations and services.
To find out more about our approach, view our Research and Development Plan 2020–2030.
Leaders in research and development
Meet the experts who lead our research and development team.
Chief Scientist – Gilbert Brunet
Dr Gilbert Brunet joined the Bureau in 2018 as Chief Scientist and Executive of the Science and Innovation Group.
As Chief Scientist, he promotes science and innovation within our organisation and the wider community. As Group Executive, he leads a team of about 200 staff within two programs: Research and Research to Operations. The Science and Innovation Group turns our research and development into new products and services for Australia.
Gilbert is an internationally recognised expert in weather and climate dynamics. He is Chair of the World Meteorological Organization Scientific Advisory Panel, and Chair of the United Kingdom Meteorological Office's Scientific Advisory Committee. Prior to joining us, Gilbert was the Director of the Meteorological Research Division of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
View Gilbert's ResearchGate and Google Scholar profiles.
General Manager, Research – Bertrand Timbal
Dr Bertrand Timbal is the General Manager of the Research Program within the Science and Innovation Group.
Bertrand joined the Bureau in 1996 as a research scientist specialising in climate change science. Between 2017 and 2019, he left the Bureau to lead the Climate Branch of the Centre for Climate Research in Singapore. He re-joined in 2020 as General Manager.
Bertrand leads about 140 scientists and science managers, as well as visiting scientists. He is responsible for advancing the science and development behind the Bureau's forecasts, warnings and services, focusing on research that will provide impact and value for the Australian community.
View Bertrand's ResearchGate and Google Scholar profiles.
General Manager, Research to Operations – Robert Argent
Dr Robert Argent is the General Manager of the Research to Operations Program within the Science and Innovation Group.
Rob joined the Bureau in 2008 to lead development and delivery of the Australian Water Resources Information System. He's managed the Climate and Water IT Service Branch, directed our Water Information Research and Development Alliance partnership with CSIRO, managed the Research Portfolio for weather and climate; and been the General Manager for our Water Program.
In his current role (since 2020), Rob leads about 60 staff responsible for turning numerical models and analytical and post-processing systems research into reliable operation systems.
View Rob's ResearchGate profile.
Discover our research team
Find out more about the team that contributes to our research achievements by exploring their personal profiles.
Note: Our researchers manage their own profiles on these platforms.