Rodney Leonard (Rod) Jory AM, (26 November 1938 – 14 October 2021), was an Australian physicist noted for establishing and running the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF/NSSS) and for his contributions to Australian teams which have competed at the International Physics Olympiad. He retired from the position of director of the NYSF in January 2005. He died in 2021 in Merimbula, New South Wales, at the age of 82.
Born and bred in Adelaide, after beginning his high schooling at Woodville High School (1951), Professor Jory then attended Prince Alfred College (1952–1955). His university education began at the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science degree with honours (1956–1960). This was followed with a PhD from The Australian National University (1960–1964).
His PhD was completed under the guidance of Professor L. G. H. Huxley and Dr R. W. Crompton, initially at the University of Adelaide and then transferring to the Australian National University. The research focussed on the drift velocities and diffusion coefficients of electrons in nitrogen, hydrogen and helium.
Professor Jory has taught at a number of Australian and overseas universities, most extensively at The Australian National University and the University of Canberra.
His career history is as follows:
1964, technical assistant, Research School of Physical Sciences, Australian National University
1965, senior demonstrator, Department of Physics, Australian National University
1965–1966, research associate, Florida State University
1967–1968, lecturer, University of Liverpool
1969, lecturer, University of New England
1970–1973, senior lecturer, Canberra College of Advanced Education
1974–1984, registrar, Canberra College of Advanced Education
1985–1989, principal lecturer, Canberra College of Advanced Education
1989–?, visiting fellow, Australian National University
1990–?, associate professor, University of Canberra
2006, visiting lecturer, University of Sussex
2007, visiting lecturer, University of Vienna
2008, professor University of British Columbia