Joseph Bevitt

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Joseph Bevitt is an Instrument Scientist and Group Manager at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. Originally trained as a chemist (PhD, University of Sydney), Joseph now collaborates with local and international museums and universities to pioneer the application of neutron imaging in palaeontology and cultural heritage. His work has revealed extraordinary fossil insights—including preserved hearts, skin and stomach contents—and has contributed to the digital unwrapping of ancient lead scrolls, the study Egyptian mummified remains and complex mechanical artefacts. His research has featured in Science, National Geographic, museum exhibitions, documentaries, postage stamps and coins, with the research outcomes often engaging the broader public imagination. Aiming to bridge the gap between science and art, his works have been exhibited in the MAAS Powerhouse Museum’s Out of Hand exhibition, and The Invisible Revealed exhibition, for which he was the lead contributing scientist. The Invisible Revealed exemplified the power of collaborative, cross-disciplinary research in reimagining museum experiences and advancing conservation science; revealing manufacturing details and internal compositions, the exhibition provided unprecedented insights into object histories, answering long standing curatorial and conservational questions. For these innovations, The Invisible Revealed project was awarded the 2022 Museums and Galleries National Award (MAGNA) for Research, highlighting its impact and innovative approach to cultural heritage preservation and public engagement.

He is a passionate science communication, and is a suitcase scientist who loves a good read and still "plays" with Lego, albeit on a larger scale.

Experience

  • 2018–present
    Senior Instrument Scientist, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, ANSTO
  • 2016–2020
    Guest Research Fellow, Dinosaur Evolution Research Center, Jilin University
  • 2016–2018
    Manager Research Office, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
  • 2015–2017
    President, NSW Branch, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
  • 2009–2016
    Scientific Coordinator, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, ANSTO
  • 2007–2009
    Executive Officer, Ecellence in Research Australia & NSW Synchrotron Consortium, The University of Sydney
  • 2006–2008
    Head of Chemistry, Matrix Education

Education

  • 2006 
    The University of Sydney, PhD Chemistry
  • 2001 
    The University of Sydney, BSc Advanced (Hons)

Professional Memberships

  • Royal Australian Chemical Institute
  • International Society for Neutron Radiography

Research Areas

  • Palaeontology (Incl. Palynology) (040308)
  • Condensed Matter Imaging (020402)
  • Radiology And Organ Imaging (110320)
  • Archaeological Science (210102)
  • Synchrotrons; Accelerators; Instruments And Techniques (029904)

Contact Joseph for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision