Exhibit 99.1

             BROOKS AUTOMATION ADDS NEW MEMBER TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     CHELMSFORD, Mass., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brooks Automation,
Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKS), which develops and produces hardware, software and systems
that enable manufacturing efficiencies for the semiconductor and other complex
manufacturing industries, today announced the election of Krishna G. Palepu to
serve on the Board of Directors of Brooks Automation, bringing to eleven the
number of directors.

     Krishna G. Palepu is the Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business
Administration and Senior Associate Dean for International Development at the
Harvard Business School. Professor Palepu's current research and teaching
activities focus on corporate governance and strategy. In the area of
governance, his work is focused on how to make corporate boards more effective
and on improving corporate disclosure. In the area of strategy, his recent focus
has been on the globalization of emerging markets, particularly India and China,
and the resulting opportunities and challenges for western investors and
multinationals, and for local companies with global aspirations.

     Professor Palepu is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Dr.
Reddy's Laboratories and Satyam Computer Services, two public companies listed
on the New York Stock Exchange. He is also on the board of Enamics, a US
technology start-up. Professor Palepu has a doctorate from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Helsinki School of
Economics and Business Administration.

     "We are pleased to welcome Krishna Palepu to our board of directors," said
Edward C. Grady, chief executive officer of Brooks Automation. "Professor Palepu
brings a strong global perspective and expertise in corporate governance that we
feel will help provide valuable guidance to our board of directors and help
increase its effectiveness."

     About Brooks Automation, Inc.

     Brooks is a leading worldwide provider of automation solutions and
integrated subsystems to the global semiconductor and related industries. Brooks
products and global services are used in virtually every semiconductor fab in
the world as well as in a number of diverse industries outside of semiconductor
manufacturing. For more information, visit http://www.brooks.com.

     Contact:
     Mark Chung
     Director of Investor Relations
     Brooks Automation, Inc.
     Telephone: (978) 262-2459
     mark.chung@brooks.com

SOURCE  Brooks Automation, Inc.
     -0-                             11/17/2005
     /CONTACT:  Mark Chung, Director of Investor Relations of
Brooks Automation, Inc., +1-978-262-2459, mark.chung@brooks.com/
     /First Call Analyst: /
     /FCMN Contact: /
     /Web site:  http://www.brooks.com/
     (BRKS)