Dr. Paul Thomson is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering at The University of Western Australia (UWA) and serves as Research Fellow at the Australian National Facility for Ocean Gliders (ANFOG) within the UWA Oceans Institute. His professional career includes prior roles as Research Assistant Professor for the SEA SERPENT project and ANFOG at UWA from June 2011 to June 2013. From September 2000 to 2011, he worked as Marine Microbial Biologist at the Australian Antarctic Division, followed by a brief stint as Marine Biologist in the Electron Microscopy Unit there. Earlier positions encompass Level A Academic Lecturer at Central Queensland University from 1995 to 1992 and Instructor/Research Technician at the same institution from 1992 to 1989.

Thomson's research centers on the ecology of marine microbes, encompassing bacteria, viruses, phytoplankton, and protozoa that underpin nutrient recycling and form the base of the marine food chain. He examines influences on their distribution and abundance, such as oceanographic processes, the microbial loop, ocean acidification, and elevated UV-B radiation. With expertise in marine microbial ecology, bio-optics, biological oceanography, deep-sea biology, ocean glider operations, and flow cytometry, he interprets bio-optical signals from gliders and moorings. Key publications include "Understanding the stability of the ECOPuck optical sensor: evaluation of long-term ocean glider data streams across decades" (Thomson et al., 2026, Frontiers in Marine Science), "Links between the three-dimensional movements of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and the bio-physical environment off a coral reef" (D'Antonio et al., 2024, Movement Ecology), "Pygmy blue whale movement, distribution and important areas in the Eastern Indian Ocean" (Thums et al., 2022, Global Ecology and Conservation), "Eyes in the sea: unlocking the mysteries of the ocean using industrial, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)" (2018), and "A database of marine phytoplankton abundance, biomass and species composition in Australian waters" (Davies et al., 2016). He has produced datasets like the Australian Chlorophyll a Database (1965-2017). Thomson earned a shared Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Technical Support Excellence in 2025 and a Special Commendation in the 2023 UWA Research Awards. Ongoing projects involve North West Shelf microbial communities, glider bio-optics versus microbial comparisons, and picoplankton at IMOS National Reference Stations.

Professional Email: paul.thomson@uwa.edu.au