1979: PhD in geophysical fluid dynamics, ANU (on double-diffusive, or thermohaline, convection)

1979-1981: Postdoc, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, UK (on rotating stratified flows and the instability of ocean currents)

1982: Research Associate, Institute of Mechanics, University of Grenoble and CNRS, France

1983-present: Research School of Earth Sciences, ANU.

Awarded the 2017 Jaeger Medal of the Australian Academy of Science; Visiting Professorships at INPG, Universite Grenoble-Alpes, France in 2016 and 2017; Centenary Medal for service to science in Australia in 2001; Japan Society for the promotion of Science Senior Invitation Fellowship in 1997 (3 months at the University of Hakkaido); the Priestley Medal of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society in 1991; Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Summer Program in 1980.

Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society 2014, Inaugual Fellow of the Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society in 2011, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science 2001, Fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2001, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics in 1991.

Interim Director of the Research School of Earth Sciences for 6 months in 2006; Associate Director and head of the 'Earth Physics' section of the School 2006-2010. Associate Editor of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Cambridge University Press 2007-2017.