Dr Ian Smith is the Chief Executive and Executive Director of the ANSTO, a position he took up in May 2004. ANSTO is Australia's national nuclear research and development organisation and the centre of Australian nuclear expertise. ANSTO is responsible for delivering specialised advice, scientific services and products to government, industry, academia and other research organisations.

Prior to joining ANSTO, Dr Smith was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research Enterprise & International) at the University of Otago, New Zealand and was responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the research activities, the commercial activities, the internationalisation programs and the PhD programs of the University.

After completing his doctoral studies at the University of Queensland and the Australian Atomic Energy Commission in Materials Engineering, Dr Smith joined the University of Queensland as a lecturer in the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering in 1972, becoming Head of Department in 1985. In 1988 Dr Smith joined CRA Limited as General Manager, Advanced Technical Development, holding appointments in Perth and Melbourne until his appointment to the University of Otago in 1995.

Dr Smith has served on the Australian Industry Research and Development Board, the Western Australian Science and Technology Advisory Council, and Board of the Foundation for Research Science and Technology and the Technology New Zealand Committee and was a Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Commission. Dr Smith was a member of the Advisory Committee for National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and a Member of the Expert Advisory Group for Research Quality Framework and is currently a member of the Research Quality Framework Development Advisory Group.