High Energy Physics

Department

High Energy Physics (HEP) performs exciting, cutting-edge theoretical and experimental research in Quantum Fields, Particles and Gravity. The scientific aim of the department is to understand the ultimate building blocks of matter, space, and time and the fundamental laws governing their interaction at extremely high energies and short distances, beyond currently established theories. 

The High Energy Physics department is part of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP).


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Highlights

Muon detector

Breakthrough Prize for Experiments at CERN Particle Accelerator

Research news item

The Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics has been awarded to four collaborations at CERN's particle accelerator LHC. Among the honored researchers are also Radboud scientists Frank Filthaut, Sascha Caron, Nicolo de Groot and Mengqing Wu.

Béatrice Bonga teaching kids

Béatrice Bonga teaching kids at elementary school De Akker about black holes

News item

On March 25, the students of elementary school De Akker had a special guest: physicist Béatrice Bonga.

Ariadna Ribes

Ariadna Ribes Metidieri Wins IMAPP PhD Award for Scientific Communication

News item

Ariadna Ribes (High Energy Physics) won this year the PhD Award for scientific communication.

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Events

From asymptotic safety to quantum corrected black holes: The impact of non-minimal interactions

From asymptotic safety to quantum corrected black holes: The impact of non-minimal interactions

Friday 20 June 2025, 4:30 pm PhD defence

The PhD defence of C.A. Laporte Munoz is on 20 June 2025 at 04:30 pm.

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Research

The High Energy Physics department explores new physics via cosmic rays at Pierre Auger, ATLAS@CERN, and neutrino projects like PTOLEMY and DUNE, using quantum and machine learning tools. We model quantum gravity to fill the Standard Model's gaps, tested by LIGO/Virgo data, anticipating future discoveries. Our scientific contributions can be found in the in Radboud Repository.

Collider Physics

We participate in collider-based particle physics experiments with a focus on the “big” questions of particle physics. Our main involvement is with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, near Geneva, Switzerland.

Collider Physics

Cosmic Rays

Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays are the most energetic particles ever observed. Through the collisions of cosmic rays with the atmosphere we study not only their nature and origin, but also particle interactions at the highest energies.  Currently, the main activity of our group is the analysis of data from the Pierre Auger Observatory. In addition, we participate in the design and development of the Giant Radio Array for Neutrino Detection and the Southern Wide-view Gamma-ray Observatory.

Cosmic Rays

Gravity

The Gravity team explores gravity at all scales, focusing on Quantum Gravity to unify quantum theory with general relativity, and Strong Gravity including theoretical work, simulations of black hole mergers, and analysis of gravitational wave data.

Gravity

Particle Physics Theory

The Particle Physics Theory group explores fundamental particles and their interactions, questioning the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and the universe's stability.

Particle Physics Theory

Education

The department of High Energy Physics offers various courses in the education programmes at the Faculty of Science. It is closely involved in the Bachelor's Physics and Astronomy and the Master's specialisation Particle and Astrophysics.

PhD / Graduate school

High Energy Physics offers doctoral projects across all areas of their research specialism. It is possible to enter the graduate schools from and . Look for research inspiration in the in Radboud Repository.

Internships

Would you like to your internship at High Energy Physics? Please get in touch for more information. You can find examples of relevant subjects in the and archive. There you can find theses that have been written at the High Energy Physics department over the past years. If your thesis should be in the archive, please contact us.

Vacancies

View all relevant job opportunities in the High Energy Physics department at uu77 and .

Contact information

Location

Huygens building

Visiting address
Heyendaalseweg 135
6525AJ Nijmegen
+31 24 365 20 98
Postal address
Postbus 9010
6500GL NIJMEGEN
Contact person
G.M.H. Verberk-van Haren (Gertie) A.G.M. Groenen-van Eldijk (Ardi)
All employees from High Energy Physics