Physics
The quality of the School of Physics research is recognised through our leadership in national and international research programs, including Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council Centres of Excellence.
In addition, prominent domestic and international collaborations with researchers in the United States, Europe and Asia, funded through multi-year competitive awards, present a range of invaluable research opportunities.
You can also be involved in nanoscience research projects being undertaken at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, headquarters of Sydney Nano.
Research strengths
We are renowned in Australia and internationally for our high-profile research initiatives, which include:
- major programs in astrophysics and space physics, including University-operated telescopes and links with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
- leading international projects in both experimental and theoretical quantum physics, including opportunities in quantum computing through our new partnership with Microsoft Research
- large-scale research into photonics and optical science for next-generation communications technology
- interdisciplinary research in biological and medical physics, spanning computational physics, condensed matter and materials science, brain dynamics and clinical applications
- including studying the nature of the Higgs boson and dark matter.
Centers of Excellence and associated groups
The School is home to five Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence (ARC), one National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (NHMRC CRE), an ARC Training Centre and two Cooperative Research Centres (CRC).
Collaborating scientists from multiple areas and institutions participate in these Centres:
Sydney Nodes (ARC CoE)
- Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3d
- Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum System (EQUS)
- Cenre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery
ARC Training Centres
Australia Telescope National Facility
The Australia Telescope National Facility supports Australia's research in radio astronomy. It is administered by the CSIRO and operates the Australia Telescope Compact Array at Narrabri and the Parkes and Mopra radio telescopes.
Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis
The Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis was set up to provide a facility for excellence in research and teaching. Courses are offered by members of staff in the centre and by some of the members of staff in Physics.
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is an international centre of excellence in nuclear science and technology. ANSTO produces radiopharmaceuticals, works on a wide range of industrial and environmental problems and operates the OPAL nuclear research reactor.
NSW Smart Sensing Network
NSW Smart Sensing Network provides state-of-the-art solutions in chemical and physical sensing to deliver outcomes in areas of economic importance.