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).


Go to:  Research  •  Education  •  PhD  •  Internships  •  Vacancies  •  Staff  •  Internal events  •  Calendar HG02.802

Highlights

KORSTMOS

Friday 25 September festive opening KORSTMOS: Cosmic Research Radboud Student Array

News item

The Department of High Energy Physics, in collaboration with the PUC of Science, has completed the KORSTMOS project.

Radboud Reflects @DeKaaij/De Zeester

Space Journey from De Kaaij | Radboud Reflects @DeKaaij with physicist Béatrice Bonga

Report

What is a black hole? Can you see one when you look into space? From De Kaaij you don’t just see the Waal flowing by you also have a clear view of the infinite sky. Discover how black holes work and how we know what we know about them.

Portretfoto Frank Filthaut

On Monday 29 June, the world’s largest particle accelerator shut down for several years. Why is that necessary?

Research news item

In an interview with Quest, Frank Filthaut explains why the pause button is being pressed. Read the full article here (in Dutch only).

Discover more news

Events

In Phase With the Cosmos: Mass Composition of Cosmic Raysvia Radio Interferometry

In Phase With the Cosmos: Mass Composition of Cosmic Raysvia Radio Interferometry

Tuesday 6 October 2026, 10:30 am PhD defence

The PhD defence of A. Bwembya is on 6 October 2026 at 10:30 am.

FACETS OF GRAVITY: A journey exploring spacetime from Planckian to cosmological scales

FACETS OF GRAVITY: A journey exploring spacetime from Planckian to cosmological scales

Thursday 15 October 2026, 4:30 pm PhD defence

The PhD defence of A. Silva is on 15 October 2026 at 04:30 pm.

Professor Frank Filthaut

Inaugural lecture professor Frank Filthaut

Thursday 22 October 2026, 4 pm Inaugural lecture

Professor of Experimental Particle Physics at the Faculty of Science, Radboud University, will give an inaugural lecture (in Dutch) on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 04.00 p.m.

View all events

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 Publications archive 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

Quantum & Strong 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.

Quantum & Strong 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 DRSTP and OSAF. Look for research inspiration in the PhD dissertations archive 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 Bachelor's theses and Master's theses 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 Radboud University and NIKHEF.

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