Michael has a BSc from the University of Sydney and a PhD in inorganic chemistry from the University of Cambridge, UK. Prior to joining the Australian Synchrotron as Head of Science in January 2013, he was a senior principal research scientist at ANSTO, team leader of the Chemical Deuteration Laboratory and instrument scientist for the PLATYPUS Time-of-Flight neutron reflectometer, which he designed and built at ANSTO's OPAL research reactor.

His scientific research at ANSTO between 1995 and 2012 included numerous areas of neutron and X-ray scattering; predominantly relating to the study atomic and molecular structures of technologically advanced materials. He has published more than 130 scientific refereed publications. He has discovered and characterised dozens of new of magnetic materials; developed a range of new molecular sensors; and studied chemical reactions that take place at surfaces, including biochemical reactions that take place at our cellular membranes. More recently he has also conducted research on new forms of organic semiconductors that find uses in generating light for lightweight portable displays, as photovoltaic solar cells, and as sensors for detection of explosives.