At Hoffmann–La Roche, his first role involved the study of monoclonal antibodies and leading a task force investigating opportunities for scientific and commercial development of biotechnology-based vaccines.
[2] In 1996, Stocker was appointed by the Minister for Science and Technology, Peter McGauran, to the position of Chief Scientist of Australia.
[2] He completed his term at CSIRO chairman on 27 June 2010 and was succeeded by Mr Simon McKeon.
He is the chair of Sigma Pharmaceuticals and a non-executive director of the Australian telecommunications company, Telstra.
[2][5] Stocker is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.