Rob spent the first 20 years of his career as a researcher in CSIRO, specialising in catchment hydrology, and is widely published in that field.
In late 2006, Rob was seconded to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to advise on the establishment of a national water information strategy. In mid 2007, Rob joined the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as a Deputy Director, to establish a new water information division, arising out of the Australian Government’s Water for the Future program.
In his substantive role, Rob heads up the Bureau’s Climate and Water Division, which includes responsibility for the National Climate Centre, the national flood forecasting and warning service, the agency’s new water information function, as well as a new initiative laying the foundations for a National Plan for Environmental Information.