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 and Astrophysics Honours students can choose from a range of research projects in 2025, 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 and Ngarrgu Tindebeek
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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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Associate Professor Brenton Hall
Department ChairDepartment of Physics and Astronomy
Academic staff
| Name |
Position |
Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Rebecca Allen |
Senior Lecturer |
|
| Professor Matthew Bailes |
Laureate Fellow |
|
| Professor Chris Blake |
Professor |
|
| Associate Professor Jeremy Brown | Assoiate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy | jmbrown@swinburne.edu.au |
| Associate Professor James Chon |
Associate Professor |
|
| Associate Professor Jeff Cooke |
ARC Future Fellow |
|
| Professor Darren Croton |
Professor |
|
| Professor Bryan Dalton |
Professor |
|
| Lap Dao |
Professorial Fellow |
|
| Dr Rebecca Davies | ARC DECRA Fellow | rdavies@swinburne.edu.au |
| Jeffrey Davis |
Associate Professor, ARC Future Fellow |
|
| Distinguished Professor Peter Drummond |
Professor and Science Director, CQOS |
|
| Professor Christopher Fluke |
Professor |
|
| Professor Duncan Forbes |
Professor |
|
| Xiaosong Gan |
Associate Professor |
|
| Distinguished Professor Karl Glazebrook |
Director, Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing |
|
| Dr Anthony Greaves |
Lecturer (Teaching Intensive) |
agreaves@swinburne.edu.au |
| Dr Brenton Hall |
Department Chair Physics and Astronomy |
|
| Distinguished Professor Peter Hannaford |
Professor Emeritus |
|
| Professor Damien Hicks |
Group Leader, Complex Systems |
|
| Dr Sascha Hoinka |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
|
| Associate Professor Hui Hu |
Associate Professor |
|
| Professor Jarrod Hurley |
Supercomputing Manager |
|
| Dr Smitha Jose |
Lecturer (Teaching Intensive) |
|
| Associate Professor Glenn Kacprzak |
ARC Future Fellow |
|
| Professor Virginia Kilborn |
Chief Scientist | |
| Associate Professor Ivo Labbe |
Senior Research Fellow |
ilabbe@swinburne.edu.au |
| Professor Xiaji Liu |
Professor, ARC Future Fellow |
|
| Professor Russell McLean |
Professorial Fellow, CQOS |
|
| Dr Toby Mitchell | Postdoctoral Research Associate | tjmitchell@swinburne.edu.au |
| Dr Jeremy Mould |
Professor of Astrophysics |
|
| Professor Michael Murphy |
Professor, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing |
|
| Professor Margaret Reid |
Professor |
|
| Dr Wayne Rowlands |
Senior Lecturer |
|
| Associate Professor Emma Ryan-Weber |
Astrophysicist |
|
| Syed Shah | Research Fellow | smshah@swinburne.edu.au |
| Dr Mohsen Shamohammadi | Postoctoral Research Fellow | mshamohammadi@swinburne.edu.au |
| Professor Andrei Sidorov |
Professorial Fellow |
|
| Associate Professor Tapio Simula |
ARC Future Fellow |
|
| Yang Sun | Research Fellow | yangsun@swinburne.edu.au |
| Professor Christopher Vale |
Professor |
|
| Dr Jiayang Wu |
Senior Research Fellow |
|
| Nadia Zatsepin | Associate Professor | nzatsepin@swinburne.edu.au |
| Jielai Zhang | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | jielaizhang@swinburne.edu.au |
Latest news
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- Astronomy
- Education
- Science
- University
Swinburne’s Professor Matthew Bailes honoured with 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Swinburne’s Professor Matthew Bailes has been awarded the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for his pioneering work in astrophysics, particularly his discovery of fast radio bursts (FRBs).
Wednesday 09 October 2024 -
- Science
- Student News
Swinburne students demonstrate how science can solve social issues
Over 120 Swinburne University Bachelor of Science students created solutions for issues faced by City of Boroondara Council through a scientific lens, using their knowledge in biotech, chemistry, maths, data analysis, engineering and software engineering.
Thursday 26 September 2024 -
- Astronomy
The Solar System used to have nine planets. Maybe it still does? Here’s your catch-up on space today
Some of us remember August 24 2006 like it was yesterday. It was the day Pluto got booted from the exclusive “planets club”.
Monday 22 January 2024 -
- Science
- Astronomy
Space is getting crowded with satellites and space junk. How do we avoid collisions?
Reports this week suggest a near-collision between an Australian satellite and a suspected Chinese military satellite. Meanwhile, earlier this month, the US government issued the first ever space junk fine. The Federal Communications Commission handed a US$150,000 penalty to the DISH Network, a publicly traded company providing satellite TV services.
Friday 20 October 2023 -
- Astronomy
- Technology
We traced a powerful radio signal to the most distant source yet – a galaxy billions of lightyears away
Every day and night, hundreds of thousands of intense, brief flashes of radiation suddenly flicker on and then off all across the sky. These “fast radio bursts” are invisible to the naked eye, but to a radio telescope many almost outshine everything else in the sky for a few thousandths of a second.
Friday 20 October 2023
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.