Since completing his PhD, John has been employed at the University of Auckland performing teaching and research in a variety of areas of optics, encompassing Laser Physics, Cell Biology, Biophotonics and Communications Engineering. In recent decades his research work has moved increasingly into the area of Laser Physics and its applications, concentrated in the areas of nonlinear fibre optics, and high speed optical communications systems and devices. In 2002 he formed a company to manufacture Test and Measurement instrumentation for the high speed optical communications sector. This company grew to the point where the Test and Measurement unit of the company was spun off as a separate company in 2012, while Southern Photonics concentrates on consulting work and the manufacture of fibre laser systems. He is now working full time within the company whilst also promoting the development of Industry/University linkages and collaborations within the wider photonics sector. He is also the  commercialisation manager for the newly formed Dodd Walls Centre for Photonics and Quantum Science, a Centre of Research Excellence linking six Universities in New Zealand.

  Physics and its applications