Roland Dobbs Fulbright Scholar in Applied Mathematics (1958-1959) and Associate Professor of Physics (1959–1960) at Brown University, AEI Fellow at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge (1960-1964), Professor and Head of Department of Physics, University of Lancaster (1964-1973), Head of Department of Physics at Bedford College, University of London (1973–1985) and Hildred Carlile Professor (1973-90). Following the merger of Bedford and Royal Holloway College, he was Head of Department of Physics, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, 1985-90. On his retirement, he became Emeritus Professor. He held several visiting Professorships at Brown University, Rhode Island. U.S.A, Wayne State University, Michigan, U.S.A., University
Cavendish Professor of Physics would cost £6,300. The then chancellor of the university, William Cavendish met that cost privately 18 months later, and named the department in honor of his relative, the 18th century natural philosopher Henry Cavendish. The first Cavendish Professor was the then relatively obscure James Clerk Maxwell, who had yet to complete the work that would make him the most renowned physicist of the nineteenth century. His appointment was announced on 8 March 1871, and despite initial disappointment at his being offered the place, his inaugural lecture was looked forward to by his likely students as well as his future colleagues.