Ian Chessell

Ian Chessell studied at the University of Melbourne, completing his Ph.D. in physics studying radio transmission of the lower ionosphere in 1970.^[2]

Chessell commenced work at the Defence Science and Technology Group on completion of his Ph.D., eventually rising to head the organisation as Chief Defence Scientist from 2000 to 2003.^[2]

He was Chief Defence Scientist of Australia from 2000 to 2003. He was appointed as Chief Scientist of South Australia in March 2008, and served in that capacity until 2010.^[1]

Chessell was appointed a director of Astronomy Australia Limited in November 2010, reappointed in November 2013, and retired in November 2016.^[3]

In 2015, he was also a member of the Defence South Australia Advisory Board, the Board of QinetiQ.^[4] He was the founding chair of the Goyder Institute for Water Research in 2010, holding the position for five years.^[5]