P003786 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2001-05-25 human Rosanne Walker updated 2026-02-17 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P003786b.htm person Robinson Brian John FAA AACR2 4 November 1930 22 July 2004 Place of Birth Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Place of Death Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Radio astronomer Brian John Robinson was a pioneer and major contributor to the field of radio astronomy. He spent most of his 33 year career working for the many subdivisions of CSIRO's Radiophysics Division. Brian Robinson was a founding member of the Steering Committee for the Australia Telescope, later becoming the Vice-Chairman and was deeply involved in the telescopes design and construction.

After graduating with a Masters Degree from the University of Sydney (MSc), Robinson worked as a Research Officer at CSIRO Physics Laboratory from 1953-54. He was awarded the Rutherford Scholar of the Royal Society in 1954 and moved to the United Kingdom to undertake a PhD at Cambridge University. Upon completion of his doctorate, Robinson went on to hold many prestigious posts including visiting scientist at the Netherlands Foundation for Radio Astronomy in Leiden (1958-61), Director of Research, Australian National Radio Astronomy Observatory (1971-79) and Chairman Inter-Union Commission on Allocation of Frequencies (1976-1994).

Robinson pioneered the technical development of very sensitive receivers (masers and parametric amplifiers) used for the detection of extremely weak radio signals. His other major contribution was the use of emission and absorption microwave spectral lines to explore the galaxy. This was used to detect maser-like radiation by hydroxyl molecules within interstellar space and galactic centre. Towards the end of his Career, Robinson research evolved to take in satellite navigation systems. He has been awarded and honoured many times for his contribution to radio astronomy (see Chronology section).

1952 1952 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc(Hons)), University of Sydney 1953 Education - Master of Science (MSc), University of Sydney 1953 1954 Career position - Research Officer, CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1954 1957 Award - Rutherford Scholar of the Royal Society 1958 1958 Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Cambridge University, UK 1958 1961 Career position - Visiting Scientist at the Netherlands Foundation for Radio Astronomy, Leiden 1962 1965 Career position - Senior Research Scientist in the Radiophysics Laboratory at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) 1963 1963 Award - Premium of Institution of Electrical Engineers, London 1964 2004 Award - Fellow, Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS) 1965 1966 Career position - Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1966 1982 Career position - Member, National Committee for Radio Science 1966 1989 Career position - Member of Committee, Astronomical Society of Australia 1967 2004 Award - Fellow, Australian Institute of Physics (FAIP) 1968 1970 Career position - Deputy Director, Australian National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Parkes, New South Wales 1968 1975 Career position - Senior Principal Research Scientist at the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1971 1977 Career position - Member, Editorial Committee, Australian journal of physics 1971 1979 Career position - Director of Research, Australian National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Parkes, New South Wales 1972 1980 Career position - Chairman, Australian Radio Astronomy Panel 1974 1974 Award - Walter Burfitt Prize, Royal Society of New South Wales 1974 2004 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA) 1975 1975 Career position - Founding member of the Steering Committee for the Australia Telescope 1975 1980 Career position - Council member of the International Scientific Radio Union 1975 1995 Career position - Chief Research Scientist at the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1976 1994 Career position - Chairman, Working Group on Protection of Molecular Line Frequencies of the International Astronomical Union 1977 1980 Career position - Member, Board of Standards of the Australian Journals of Scientific Research 1977 1990 Career position 1980 1987 Career position - Head of the Millimeter-Wave Facility, Epping, Victoria 1987 1989 Career position - President, Astronomical Society of Australia 1987 1995 Career position - Chairman, Inter-Union Commission on Allocation of Frequencies 1995 1995 Life event - Retired Astronomical Society of Australia (1966 - )

Member of Committee 1966 - 1989; President 1987 - 1989

 Walter Burfitt Prize, Royal Society of New South Wales (1935 - )

Awarded the Prize 1974

 Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

Fellow 1974 - 2004

 Australian Institute of Physics (1963 - )

Fellow 1967 - 2004

 CSIR/O Division of Radiophysics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1940 - 1996)

Senior Research Scientist CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1962 - 1965; Senior Principal Research Scientist at the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1968 - 1975; Chief Research Scientist at the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory 1975 - 1995

 Robinson, Brian John (1930-2004)

Trove

 'Robinson, Brian John', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Robinson, Brian John Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Resource Section: Brian John Robinson Ward, C. Brian John Robinson Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) 2011 CSIROpedia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Journal Article: Brian John Robinson, 1930-2004 Whiteoak, J. B.; and Sim, H. L. Brian John Robinson, 1930-2004 2006 Historical Records of Australian Science 17 2 263-281