About the School of Physics
Here at the School of Physics, our researchers are addressing some of the most fundamental questions in science and are pushing the boundries in emerging fields such as nanotechnology and smart materials. This research shapes and informs our teaching, offering students an exciting and varied curriculum.
The School is home to circa 60 academic and 65 research staff, carrying out research spanning 6 key research theme areas:
- Astrophysics
- Materials & Devices
- Quantum Engineering Technologies
- Quantum & Soft Matter
- Particle Physics
- Theoretical Physics
We also have approx. 170 postgraduate students and more than 600 undergraduate students enrolled in our extensive range of taught programmes, to which we are committed to providing an excellent learning experience and the highest standards of teaching.
Working here
We offer our staff a wide range of benefits and support, from childcare support to flexible working arrangements. We also have a comprehensive staff development package and specific support for our research staff, including an early careers forum. Find out what it’s like to work here.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for our students and staff and have achieved Juno Champion status and an Athena Swan Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to support equal opportunities. Find out more about our equity, diversity and inclusion work.
Our history
We’ve been making our mark on science for more than a hundred years. In that time, our school has been home to renowned figures, including Nobel Laureates Paul Dirac, Nevill Mott and Cecil Powell, and been at the forefront of breakthroughs such as the Aharonov-Bohm Effect. Find out more about the history of our school.
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Professor Jennifer McManus, Head of School
Welcome to the School of Physics. These webpages are intended provide a flavour of the variety of work that we undertake in the School in both our research and teaching, and we hope that you find them useful and inspiring.
Where are we?
The School is based at HH Wills Physics Laboratory at the University's Clifton Campus. For directions and other contact details, please visit our Contact Us pages.
Did you know?
- Several of our researchers are Fellows of the Royal Society.
- Our student society CHAOS won 'Best Academic and Careers Society' in 2018 and 'Best Society' in the 2019 National Student Society Awards.
- Our High Performance Computing Centre is one of the most powerful research computers in the UK.
- Home to Nobel Laureates Professor Cecil Powell and Sir Nevill Francis Mott.
- Our researchers analyse data from CERN’s Large Hadron Collider.
- Our researchers are using data from JWST to study the atmospheres of exoplanets.