Department of Physics and Astronomy
Learn about our world-ranked teaching and research.
Advances in physics are at the very heart of technological developments that will influence the way we live in the 21st century. At Swinburne, we run courses and conduct cutting cutting-edge research that’s leading the way.
Did you know?
Swinburne ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide for physics research and above world standard for our research in astronomical and space sciences.
Explore our courses
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Physics
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Astronomy
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Space Technology
Postgraduate projects
Physics Honours students can choose from a range of research projects in 2023, available through the Optical Sciences Centre (OSC), the Centre for Quantum Technology Theory (CQTT) and the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing (CAS).
Project lists
Download our honours project lists:
Our facilities
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W. M. Keck Observatory
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Swinburne Supercomputing OzSTAR Facility
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Microanalytical and Microfabrication Facility
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Nanofabrication Laboratory
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Ultrafast Laser Labs
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Ultrafast Micro-Spectroscopy Facility
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Advanced Visualisation Facilities
Our people
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Dr Brenton Hall
Department ChairDepartment of Physics and Astronomy
Academic staff
| Name |
Position |
Contact |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Rebecca Allen |
Senior Lecturer |
AR302E |
|
| Professor Matthew Bailes |
Laureate Fellow |
||
| Chris Blake |
Professor |
AR303 |
|
| Associate Professor James Chon |
Associate Professor |
AMDC819 |
|
| Associate Professor Jeff Cooke |
ARC Future Fellow |
AR315 |
|
| Professor Darren Croton |
Professor |
SA114 |
|
| Professor Bryan Dalton |
Professor |
AD203c |
|
| Lap Dao |
Professorial Fellow |
EN136 |
|
| Jeffrey Davis |
Associate Professor, ARC Future Fellow |
EN132 |
|
| Distinguished Professor Peter Drummond |
Professor and Science Director, CQOS |
AD201b |
|
| Professor Christopher Fluke |
Professor |
AR204 |
|
| Professor Duncan Forbes |
Professor |
AR203 |
|
| Xiaosong Gan |
Associate Professor |
AMDC820 |
|
| Distinguished Professor Karl Glazebrook |
Director, Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing |
AR202b |
|
| Dr Anthony Greaves |
Lecturer (Teaching Intensive) |
agreaves@swinburne.edu.au |
|
| Dr Brenton Hall |
Department Chair Physics and Astronomy |
EN137 |
|
| Distinguished Professor Peter Hannaford |
Professor Emeritus |
EN134 |
|
| Professor Damien Hicks |
Group Leader, Complex Systems |
AMDC 821 |
|
| Dr Sascha Hoinka |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
EN126c |
|
| Associate Professor Hui Hu |
Associate Professor |
AD201d |
|
| Professor Jarrod Hurley |
Supercomputing Manager |
SA115 |
|
| Dr Smitha Jose |
Lecturer (Teaching Intensive) |
||
| Associate Professor Glenn Kacprzak |
ARC Future Fellow |
AR307 |
|
| Professor Virginia Kilborn |
Chief Scientist | AS216 |
|
| Associate Professor Ivo Labbe |
Senior Research Fellow |
ilabbe@swinburne.edu.au |
AR201 |
| Professor Xiaji Liu |
Professor, ARC Future Fellow |
AD201a |
|
| Professor Sarah Maddison |
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Innovation & Change) Professor of Astrophysics |
SPS115 |
|
| Professor Russell McLean |
Professorial Fellow, CQOS |
EN135 |
|
| Jeremy Mould |
Professor of Astrophysics |
SA117 |
|
| Professor Michael Murphy |
Professor, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing |
AR309 |
|
| Professor Margaret Reid |
Professor |
AD201c |
|
| Wayne Rowlands |
Senior Lecturer |
EN705c |
|
| Associate Professor Emma Ryan-Weber |
Astrophysicist |
AR317 |
|
| Professor Andrei Sidorov |
Professorial Fellow |
EN143 |
|
| Associate Professor Tapio Simula |
ARC Future Fellow |
EN138 |
|
| Professor Christopher Vale |
Professor |
EN139 |
|
| Dr Jiayang Wu |
Senior Research Fellow |
AMDC Building, Level 8, |
|
| Associate Professor Jeremy Brown | Assoiate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy | jmbrown@swinburne.edu.au | AMDC820 |
Latest news
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- Science
High schoolers reach for the stars to design space mission
Swinburne is continuing to provide Australian high school students with direct access to space through the Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge.
Thursday 13 July 2023 -
- Health
- Science
Illegal, occasionally deadly, and not much fun. What is the frog toxin Kambô and why do people use it?
Kambô is an oozy substance harvested from the defensive skin secretions of the Amazonian giant monkey tree frog. In the traditional medicine of some indigenous peoples of the Amazon, Kambô is applied to superficial burns on the skin of participants to produce an intense purging effect.
Tuesday 16 May 2023 -
- Astronomy
Star’s fatal encounter with black hole creates rare luminous flash
Halfway across the observable Universe, Swinburne researchers have aided the discovery of a bright optical flare caused by a supermassive black hole ripping a star apart.
Thursday 01 December 2022 -
- Astronomy
“Cosmic detective” Dr Sara Webb becomes a Superstar of STEM
Swinburne astrophysicist and cosmic detective Dr Sara Webb has been selected as a 2022 Superstar of STEM.
Friday 18 November 2022 -
- Science
- Technology
STEMM competition urges students to Start Talking
Swinburne’s Start Talking competition is nurturing the next generation of STEMM minds
Wednesday 16 November 2022
Find more news articles about the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Explore our other departments and centres
Contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy
For general enquiries, call 1300 794 628 to speak with our friendly team. You can also email us at Dean-SchoolofSCET@swinburne.edu.au.