Professor Bruce Melville's academic career spans 25 years, prior to which he spent 6 years working for civil engineering consultants in NZ and overseas. He is an active researcher with an international reputation in the field of fluvial sediment transport. His expertise encompasses most aspects of water resources engineering, including hydraulic, river, environmental and hydro-electric engineering. He is Associate-Editor of the (ASCE) Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, has served on local and international research committees, and has been a member of many tribunals for water consent hearings.

He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Engineers New Zealand and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He received the 2002 ASCE Hydraulic Structures Medal, in recognition of his contributions in the field. He is Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (FRSNZ) and received the R. J. Scott medal from RSNZ in 2007.