After studying physics at the "Ecole Polytechnique," Dr. Robert Aymar worked on fundamental research in plasma physics and its application in controlled thermonuclear fusion research at the CEA in France.

In 1977, Aymar was appointed as Director of Tore Supra; he directed the project from its conceptual design in 1977, through its construction, and to its operation in 1988.

In 1990, Aymar was appointed as Director of the "Direction des Sciences de la Matière" of the CEA. In this position, he directed a wide range of basic research programmes - both experimental and theoretical - including astrophysics, particle, nuclear and high energy physics, chemistry of condensed matter, paleo-climatology, as well as thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement.

In his capacity as a CEA Director, Aymar served on many councils and committees, national and European as well as international; he took a leading role in the European Fusion Programme, and has been involved in ITER since its inception in 1987.

He was appointed ITER EDA Director in July 1994, and International Team Leader in July 2001.

He left ITER to become Director-General of CERN in January 2004.