Professor Robin Grimes is Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to the UK Ministry of Defence on nuclear science and technology matters and has membership of the Investment Approvals Committee and Defence Nuclear Executive Board. Until August 2018 he was CSA to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office providing science, technology and innovation advice to the Foreign Secretary, Ministers and officials. As CSA he must ensure that government work on key issues undergoes proper scientific challenge, and he must strengthen the scientific and engineering capacity. CSA’s are supported by the UK Science and Innovation Network based in overseas posts.
He is also Professor of Materials Physics at Imperial College. In his research, he uses computer simulation techniques to understand the behaviour of materials for energy applications including nuclear fission and fusion, fuel cells, batteries and solar cells. Professor Grimes is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.