The Thomas H. Laby Professor of Physics has been established by a generous gift for the purpose of initiating a new leading edge research program in experimental or observational physics. The professorship is named after Emeritus Professor Thomas Laby, who was head of the School (Department) of Physics  at the University of Melbourne from 1915-1944.

The School of Physics is seeking an appointment to the Thomas H. Laby Professor of Physics who will provide high level scientific leadership enabling the development of a new experimental or observational research program in the fields of either gravitational wave physics or neutrino physics. The Thomas H. Laby Professor of Physics will establish a new research group, and will be supported through generous resources for establishment of the research program. These resources include the option of appointing an additional continuing academic position in the chosen area.    The Thomas H. Laby Professor of Physics will demonstrate scientific leadership, an outstanding internationally recognised record of research in experimental or observational physics in the specified areas, and lead the successful establishment of innovative research programs, attracting competitive research funding.   While the position would be to build a new research group, it would be supported by existing research groups in the complementary fields of experimental collider physics (ATLAS, Belle II), experimental dark matter searches (SABRE, CYGNUS) based in Australia, theoretical particle physics (neutrinos, dark matter, flavour, collider), as well as theoretical and observational astrophysics aligned with the Murchison Widefield Array, SKA, South Pole Telescope, POLARBEAR, the Simons Array and LIGO.   Furthermore, an underground physics laboratory (SUPL) close to Melbourne, will be operational in 2018. This laboratory will provide an ultra-low background environment for low background measurements and R&D.

The University is an equal opportunity employer. The University makes decisions on employment, promotion and reward on the basis of merit.