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Faculty of Science

Custom-built physics instruments

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School of Physics

Driving world-changing innovation through the fundamental science

With access to supercomputers, modern laboratory facilities and observatories, locally, nationally and internationally, we conduct research across a vast range of interests from quantum science to clusters of galaxies.

The School of Physics at the University of Sydney is the leading physics department in the country, with outstanding staff and students undertaking world-leading teaching and research.

In the most recent Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) report, we were the only physical sciences school in Australia to receive a perfect score in all eight categories, and achieved a top score of five in every category.

Physics lab equipment.

Study with us

Discover all the ways you can study physics at the University of Sydney. From undergraduate to postgraduate research.

Physics lab equipment.

Our research

Our collective research interests go beyond traditional physics. We undertake research that pioneers new ways of thinking and innovative approaches.

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Sydney Institute for Astronomy

We are a leader in big data science with local and national supercomputing resources supporting simulations of cosmology, galaxy formation and evolution.

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Blood moon and satellite dish.

Physics Foundation

For over 50 years, the Foundation’s philanthropic work in supporting scientific research, education and outreach has continued, thanks to support from science, business, industry and government.

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Equity, access and diversity

Our goal is to provide an environment that is equitable and supportive for all staff and students, free of conscious and unconscious bias, with access to facilities, learning and work open to all.

Teaching at the School of Physics

Our 120 staff and 160 postgraduate students conduct research across a vast range of interests. The School of Physics is the premier environment for physics education and research.

Facilities at the School of Physics

Our research expertise and our facilities offer a wide range of expertise to industry in diverse areas such as:

projects involving mathematical analysis of a system
optical system evaluation and design
optical coatings
microscopic imaging
image processing and visualisation
environmental testing, such as levels of electromagnetic radiation
energy efficiency and solar energy usage
evacuated glazing
computer control

Explore our industry partnerships and how we can help.

Equity, access and diversity

The School of Physics, like the University of Sydney as a whole, aims to provide an environment for learning and working where our students, staff and visitors feel comfortable and included. Learn more about our equity, access and diversity initiatives.

Our people

Leadership

Professor Celine Boehm
Head of School

Professor Tara Murphy
Deputy Head of School

Clara Spencer
School Manager

Associate Professor Archil Kobakhidze
Associate Head of Research

Associate Professor Boris Kuhlmey
Associate Head of Education

Associate Professor Helen Johnston
1^stYear Coordinator

Associate Professor Joseph Khachan
2^nd Year Coordinator

Professor Cathy Stampfl
3^rd Year Coordinator

Associate Professor Bruce Yabsley
Honours Coordinator

Dr Svetlana Postnova
Postgraduate Admissions Coordinator

Professor Kevin Varvell
Postgraduate Candidature Coordinator

Academic staff

Browse our academic staff

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Research students

Browse our research students

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How to study physics

Explore your options

Learn about our research

Head of School

Celine Boehm

Professor Celine Boehm

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Physics activities

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Sydney Quantum Academy

Latest news

Pablo Bonilla Ataides, honours physics student.

Student's physics homework picked up by Amazon quantum researchers

A simple yet elegant change to code studied for more than 20 years could shorten timeline to achieve scalable quantum computation and has attracted the attention of quantum computing programs at Amazon Web Services and Yale University.

Photo of a mother with a child. Child has a cochlear implant. Photo: Generic/Shutterstock

An improved safety standard for pacemakers and cochlear implants

As technology improves, bionic devices in humans will become more common. Professor David McKenzie working with the National Measurement Institute has developed a standard test for leaks in such devices like cochlear implants and pacemakers.

11 February 2021

Female academic writing on white board

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

The 11th of February is the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science: a day that recognises the achievements of women in science and aims to encourage women and girls to pursue studies and careers in STEMM.

08 February 2021

Artist's impression of a gas cloud tidally disrupted by a passing star. Credit: Mark Myers/OzGrav

Student astronomer finds galactic missing matter

Half of the universe's matter is 'missing', but PhD student Yuanming Wang has developed an ingenious method to help track it down.

04 February 2021

Julia Bryant inside the SAMI Survey device. Photo by Scott Croom

The secrets of 3000 galaxies laid bare

The seven-year SAMI Survey has allowed scientists to understand the complex interaction between thousands of galaxies. Their findings will help astronomers understand how the universe has evolved and how it might develop further.

02 February 2021

Superposition of David Reilly images in the Sydney Microsoft Quantum Lab

Beyond qubits: the next big step to scale up quantum computing

Through the Microsoft partnership with the University, Professor David Reilly and colleagues have invented a device that operates at 40 times colder than deep space to directly control thousands of qubits, the building blocks of quantum technology.