Murray Rudman

Research Scientist
Energy and Thermofluids Engineering, CSIRO

Bachelor of Science (Honours)
PhD in mathematical sciences

"I enjoy the constant exposure to new knowledge, new ideas and the opportunity to collaborate with people whose experience, expertise and desired goals are different to mine."

I am a principal research scientist and Team leader in the Energy and Thermofluids Engineering group at CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology (CMIT). The work I undertake is primarily managing research projects across a broad range of areas of fluid dynamics and its applications. These projects include applied research for Australian Industry, development of new technology for fluids processing and fundamental research into mixing and numerical methods for fluid dynamics simulation. In addition to managing projects, I spend part of my time undertaking research in mixing, turbulent flow simulation and free surface fluid flow simulation.

The biggest challenge in my current position is guiding the many research projects I am responsible for in the directions that will provide outcomes to benefit CSIRO or our industry partners most significantly. This involves managing staff (always a big challenge), understanding and shaping the technical directions of the project, overcoming technical hurdles in the research and then presenting the project outcomes in a way that is appropriate. For industry partners this involves meetings, reports and software development that are aimed at the appropriate level. For fundamental projects, this involves the preparation of conference and journal papers.

The aspect of my job that I enjoy the most is the constant exposure to new knowledge, new ideas and the opportunity to collaborate with people whose experience, expertise and desired goals are different to mine. These interactions not only allow you to meet and work with fresh faces, they also keep your mind open and active to new concepts and to see the possibilities for new areas of research.

After working for four years after my Bachelor of Science degree (undertaken at ANU), my Honours year in Mathematics at Monash University in 1985 was a pivotal time in my life and this experience gave me the opportunity to find out what I really enjoyed and what I was actually good at. Subsequently, a PhD (1990) in mathematics from Monash consolidated my new found enthusiasm and allowed me to develop the skills (and interests) that have stayed with me ever since.