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
Our facilities

W. M. Keck Observatory

Swinburne supercomputing: OzSTAR and Ngarrgu Tindebeek

Microanalytical and Microfabrication Facility

Nanofabrication Laboratory

Ultrafast Laser Labs

Ultrafast Micro-Spectroscopy Facility

Advanced Visualisation 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 |
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Professor Duncan Forbes |
Professor |
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Xiaosong Gan |
Associate Professor |
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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 |
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Professor Damien Hicks |
Group Leader, Complex Systems |
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Dr Sascha Hoinka |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
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Associate Professor Hui Hu |
Associate Professor |
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Professor Jarrod Hurley |
Supercomputing Manager |
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Dr Smitha Jose |
Lecturer (Teaching Intensive) |
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Associate Professor Glenn Kacprzak |
ARC Future Fellow |
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Professor Virginia Kilborn |
Chief Scientist | |
Associate Professor Ivo Labbe |
Senior Research Fellow |
ilabbe@swinburne.edu.au |
Professor Xiaji Liu |
Professor, ARC Future Fellow |
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Professor Russell McLean |
Professorial Fellow, CQOS |
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Dr Toby Mitchell | Postdoctoral Research Associate | tjmitchell@swinburne.edu.au |
Dr Jeremy Mould |
Professor of Astrophysics |
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Professor Michael Murphy |
Professor, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing |
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Professor Margaret Reid |
Professor |
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Dr Wayne Rowlands |
Senior Lecturer |
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Associate Professor Emma Ryan-Weber |
Astrophysicist |
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Syed Shah | Research Fellow | smshah@swinburne.edu.au |
Dr Mohsen Shamohammadi | Postoctoral Research Fellow | mshamohammadi@swinburne.edu.au |
Professor Andrei Sidorov |
Professorial Fellow |
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Associate Professor Tapio Simula |
ARC Future Fellow |
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Yang Sun | Research Fellow | yangsun@swinburne.edu.au |
Professor Christopher Vale |
Professor |
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Dr Jiayang Wu |
Senior Research Fellow |
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Nadia Zatsepin | Associate Professor | nzatsepin@swinburne.edu.au |
Jielai Zhang | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | jielaizhang@swinburne.edu.au |
Latest news

- Aviation
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Australian-made sustainable powders to drive the future of advanced manufacturing
A high-tech spinout from Swinburne University of Technology will deliver Australian-made High Entropy Material (HEM) powders, developed from recycled industrial feedstocks, to advanced manufacturing and 3D printing facilities.

- Astronomy
- Technology
- Science
Swinburne’s Spotlight on STEM: A Night of Space Innovation with Shelli Brunswick
Swinburne University hosted a Spotlight on STEM event with space innovator Shelli Brunswick, exploring space technology, leadership, and career opportunities in the space industry

- 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).

- 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.

- Astronomy
Explore the cosmos: Swinburne partners with NCM to launch space exhibition, Artificial Sky
-
- Aviation
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Australian-made sustainable powders to drive the future of advanced manufacturing
A high-tech spinout from Swinburne University of Technology will deliver Australian-made High Entropy Material (HEM) powders, developed from recycled industrial feedstocks, to advanced manufacturing and 3D printing facilities.
Thursday 27 March 2025 -
- Astronomy
- Technology
- Science
Swinburne’s Spotlight on STEM: A Night of Space Innovation with Shelli Brunswick
Swinburne University hosted a Spotlight on STEM event with space innovator Shelli Brunswick, exploring space technology, leadership, and career opportunities in the space industry
Friday 21 March 2025 -
- 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
Explore the cosmos: Swinburne partners with NCM to launch space exhibition, Artificial Sky
Wednesday 18 September 2024
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.