Theoretical physicist, Jonathan Flynn, has become the new Head of Physics and Astronomy.
Jonathan’s research in lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) uses supercomputer calculations to understand how particles are formed and how they decay, in experiments at the world-famous Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
The LHC is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator and is used to probe the fundamental structure of the Universe. It’s the pinnacle of a vast accelerator complex at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
Jonathan is also chair of CERN’s Computing Resources Scrutiny Group, which assesses the computing needs of the four main LHC experiments.
In 2012, CERN announced the discovery of the notorious Higgs boson, completing the experimental verification of the Standard Model of particle physics. Experiments continue at the LHC as physicists look for clues to the laws of nature that go beyond the Standard Model.
Research in Physics and Astronomy at Southampton ranges from the smallest scales of particle physics to the largest scales of astronomy.
Commenting on his new position, Jonathan said:
“It’s a privilege to be leading a department with research ranging from the most fundamental science to new applications which will become the technology of tomorrow.
“It is a testing time as science funding is squeezed, but I look forward to meeting this challenge as we maintain our status as one of the top institutions for physics in the world.”