School of Physics
-
Our research
Learn more about our academic staff and their diverse research interests.
-
Studying a PhD in Physics
Start your research career in physics here. Our PhD students work on cutting-edge research at the frontiers of physics. Join them!
-
Events in Physics
Seminars, public lectures, school programs and more.
-
Contact us
General contacts and maps for the School of Physics, and for student, industry, media and philanthropy enquiries.
News from Physics
-
News
-
News
-
Maiyuren Srikumar has been awarded the University of Melbourne’s inaugural Flagstaff Partners Award in Science and Engineering.
News -
Australian researchers describe their plans to build the SpIRIT satellite – launching by 2022 – that’s helping to develop cutting-edge space capabilities in Australia
News -
Congratulations to Dr Elizabeth Hinde.
News -
A Faculty of Science team has been awarded funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to study the movement of bacteria that live inside corals.
News -
University of Melbourne based startup Carbon Cybernetics has been awarded a prestigious BioMedTech Horizons grant to develop a highly specialised neural implant for epilepsy.
News -
Major funding will allow researchers to build a small satellite to be launched by 2022.
News -
The Emu in the Sky is one of Australia’s most famous dark constellations, holding special meaning for Aboriginal Australians. Now, it is being commemorated by the Royal Australian Mint
News -
A machine learning framework has been created to precisely locate atom-sized quantum bits in silicon – a crucial step for building a large-scale silicon quantum computer
News -
Scientists have used new quantum magnetic imaging techniques to study the hardest known biomineral – the magnetite found in mollusc teeth – which may inspire new industrial materials
News -
Professor Rachel Webster has received an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to education in the field of astrophysics and astronomical research, and for her dedication to young women scientists.
News -
The 2020s will use increasingly complex technology to ramp up our efforts to understand more about the Universe.
Pursuit -
From watching the heavens to discovering waves of light, relativity and entropy, understanding the nature of time has been a major human endeavour.
Pursuit -
Animals like beetles and birds are teaching us new ways of understanding colour at a nanoscale, which could change the way we manufacture it.
Pursuit -
Through a gift in her Will, Ann Rusden hopes that more people can continue to ask the big questions – including what the universe looked like 13 billion years ago, as Associate Professor Michele Trenti seeks to discover.
News -
The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions. It supports research in areas of critical national importance by enabling outstanding Australian and international early career researchers to conduct their research in Australia.
News -
The Australian Research Council has awarded Future Fellowships to Professor Howard Bondell, Associate Professor Colette Boskovic and Dr David Garrett.
News -
Professors Ann Roberts and Kenneth Crozier are Chief Investigators on the $34.9 million Australian Research Council funded centre that will develop the next-generation of miniaturised optical systems, turning science fiction into fact.
News -
Throughout time, humankind has looked to the stars and recounted the meaning they see. We know this is true of many cultures, in many places. But time and place have influenced those narratives and how they were passed on.
Pursuit -
After moving from the US to study in Australia, astrophysicist Associate Professor Duane Hamacher now works to increase Indigenous representation in the astronomical and space sciences
Pursuit -
High energy physicist Professor Elisabetta Barberio is leading groundbreaking Australian research in the hunt for dark matter and it’s all happening deep underground
Pursuit -
As National Science Week celebrates scientific discovery in Australia, we ask what’s likely to be the ‘next big thing’ in some of the most exciting fields of science research?
Pursuit -
Everyone is talking about our achievements in space since the moon landing 50 years ago, but what new ‘giant leap’ will we all be talking about 50 years from now?
Pursuit -
The University of Melbourne has welcomed Federal Government funding of $35 million for an ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics to search for dark matter.
News -
Innovative design is combining with new, low-cost nano-satellite technology to build Australia’s first space telescope, Skyhopper
News -
Like the evolution of classic computers in the 1940s, quantum computers are on the cusp of mainstream, and researchers, businesses and universities are already getting themselves quantum ready
News -
The quantum revolution is coming, and it’s taken some big leaps of thinking from some of the biggest minds of the 20th century to get us to this point.
News -
Quantum computing can be a challenging concept to get your head around - could you explain it?
News -
Quantum computing could stream-line financial calculations, optimise the workings of complex systems like logistical networks and enhance artificial intelligence. So how hard can it be?
News -
The BioInspiration Seed Funding Competition is designed to have teams develop creative, nature-inspired solutions to global/ practical/ human technological and design challenges.
News -
The prize recognises his work in NMR spectroscopy, which can be applied to design, optimisation and processes in research and industrial sectors.
News -
Dr Hall was one of six early career researchers awarded a 2018 Victoria Fellowship in Physical Sciences by VESKI at an awards ceremony on 24 October.
News -
In February a group of school kids got a lesson in physics while experiencing the stunning beauty of a flyover of Antactica.
News -
Some of the technological innovations of 2017 sound more like sci-fi, but according to the brains behind a few of them, the future is still full of surprises
Pursuit -
Pursuit
-
Pursuit
-
Pursuit
-
Pursuit
-
News
-
News
Banner photo | Christopher Burns via Unsplash
The School of Physics at the University of Melbourne is one of the leading physics departments in Australia. Our members are engaged in research at the forefront of a diverse range of fields.
Research areas
-
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
-
Complex Systems
-
Condensed Matter Physics
-
Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
-
Experimental Particle Physics
-
Extragalactic Astrophysics
-
High Energy Astrophysics
-
Large Scale Facility Physics
-
Nanoscience
-
Physical Bioscience
-
Quantum Information
-
Theoretical Particle Physics
-
X-ray Physics
Research centres
-
ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO-3D)
-
ARC Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging
-
ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics
-
ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav)
-
ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T)
-
ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS)
Learn how you can study physics with us – at undergraduate, masters or PhD levels.
-
Undergraduate physics
Whether you're studying a Bachelor of Science or another undergraduate degree, there's a way for you to study physics with us.
View -
Masters in physics
Level up your skills and knowledge in physics with a Master of Science (Physics).
View -
PhD studies in physics
Start your research career here! Become an expert in your field by taking a deep dive into a physics research project.
View
Studying in the School of Physics
-
Awards, prizes and scholarships
See what's available for undergraduate and graduate students studying physics.
-
Meet our students and alumni
Meet our diverse undergraduate and graduate students, and see where physics has taken our alumni.
-
Postgraduate Physics Students' Society
An academic and social group that connects graduate students and ensures student representation in the School of Physics.

Careers in physics
There are many exciting directions that studying physics could take you. See the careers, industries and organisations a specialisation in physics can open up for you.
The School of Physics hosts a range of events each year - from informative and entertaining public lectures, to updates on groundbreaking research, to completion seminars given by PhD students on the cusp of completing their studies.

July Lectures in Physics video archive
Watch 30 years of eminent physicists presenting historical and up-to-the-minute perspectives on current topics in physics in our video archives.
-
Physics colloquium
See a range of colloquia arranged by the School of Physics.
-
Public Lectures and July Lectures
Since 1969, the School of Physics has been informing and entertaining the public with lectures across a range of topics.
-
GOSS/Completion Seminars
Completion seminars are given by PhD students preparing to finish up their PhD, presenting their work and discoveries.
-
CoE Dark Matter Particle Physics Seminars
Find out about the latest work of the Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics.
-
Condensed Matter and Optics Seminars
Learn more about the school's research into condensed matter physics and optics.
-
Astrophysics colloquium
Every week, our Astrophysics group presents seminars on astrophysics, astronomy, cosmology and more.
-
Physics Outreach
Activities for school students and teachers, the general public, our alumni and friends.
-
Alumni
Keep in touch to enjoy the many benefits of a life-long connection to the physics alumni community.
-
Support Physics
Join the many donors worldwide who are funding science scholarships and research at the University of Melbourne.
-
Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
More than 350 items, including equipment and photographs, spanning the history of the School of Physics.

Public lectures
Each July, eminent physicists present historical and up-to-the-minute perspectives on a current topic in physics.
Watch our previous videos for accessible takes on the physics of the Apollo moon mission, planetary geology, quantum mechanics in biology, and more.
The School of Physics at the University of Melbourne enjoys an internationally respected reputation for its research excellence, broad-based undergraduate courses, and challenging and rewarding postgraduate experience.

Head, School of Physics
It is an exciting time to be studying physics in the 21st century: it is an enabling science that expands our knowledge of the Universe and underpins new technologies that benefit our society. Our programs in astrophysics, theoretical particle and experimental particle physics explore questions relating to the origin, evolution and fate of our universe.
Our School studies matter and light interactions, particularly in advanced materials utilising diamond and silicon, quantum information science, photonics, nanoscale imaging and nanoelectronics, and hosts interdisciplinary teams of physicists, biologists and chemists studying biological molecules.
Studying in the School of Physics
Physics is taught at an Undergraduate level through the Bachelor of Science program and at a postgraduate level through Masters and PhD programs. The School leverages its broad physics expertise to enhance the Physical Sciences experience of students.
- The Bachelor of Science is an internationally recognised, flexible program that will open the doors to an outstanding future
- A distinctive suite of Masters programs are designed to provide options in advanced research training, specialised coursework studies and professional skills development
- PhD studies let students carry out independent research on an area of study about which they are passionate.
Life in the School of Physics
The School of Physics is committed to providing support and resources to create an equitable environment for all members of the department, including students at all levels and visitors. This includes improving the understanding of unconscious bias and its impact through training and working with the Faculty of Science Diversity and Inclusion committees to create and implement faculty-wide initiatives.
The School has developed a diversity policy and code of conduct to ensure inclusion and acceptance of all members regardless of gender, ethnicity or origin, culture, language, relationship status, pregnancy, sexuality, medical conditions or disability, age and political or religious belief.
Professor Stuart Wyithe
Head, School of Physics