Joseph is a senior instrument scientist on the DINGO (thermal-neutron radiograph/tomography/imaging) instrument, and scientific coordinator at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. Joseph collaborates with museums and universities to pioneer the use of neutron computed tomography (3D imaging of objects using sub-atomic particles) in the areas of palaeontology and archaeology. He also dabbles in the study of engineering amterials, instrument design and the use of neutron irradiation for cancer therapy research.
Using DINGO, along with the Imaging and Medical Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron, Joseph's main research involves digitally excavating and revealling fossils that remain entombed within the rocks they are found in, to research their internal structure without having to break open or risk damaging these extraordinarily fragile and precious specimens by physical preparation. In this way he has studied dinosaur stomach contents, the skulls and soft-tissue remains of ancient animals, fossilised plants, penguins, dinosaur eggs and much, much more. Similarly, Joseph has assisted with the study of Egyptian mummified votive remains, Roman anchors, jewellery and other early tools to determine how these ancient cultural objects were manufactured and used.
As Scientific Coordinator, Joseph coordinates access to the world-class neutron beam instruments at the OPAL nuclear research reactor at ANSTO, and is responsible for the peer-review of all proposals.
He is a passionate science communicator and suitcase scientist who loves a good read and still "plays" with Lego (on a large scale).