Research Experience for Undergradates applications now being accepted

The 2018 Physics and Astronomy REU program participants at the NM Nuclear Museum. Photo by Peter Sinclair

The 2022 University of New Mexico's Physics and Astronomy Department research internship program for undergraduate students is open for applications from qualified undergraduates.

The program pays for most student expenses and focuses on the development of strong student-mentor relationships as well as laboratory and research skills. The program also offers a range of recreational activities and opportunities to experience New Mexico.

Read more about this program and the application process.

UNM's PAÍS building earns LEED Gold certification

UNM PAÍS was recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold status, the United States Green Building Council"s second-highest award for sustainable design and construction.

"Dedicated bicycle parking to reduce vehicle emissions, use of materials from the old reservoir for projects around campus to limit the waste entering a landfill, and smart controlled heating, cooling, and lighting to reduce building emissions" said College of Arts & Sciences Associate Dean for Research Chris Lippett.

Read more about this award in the UNM Newsroom article.

P&A Welcomes New CQuIC Program Director, Dwight Zier

The Center for Quantum Information and Control (CQuIC) welcomes the new Program Director, Dwight Zier. Dwight will help lead CQuIC into the future with the newly awarded National Science Foundation Focused Research Hub in Theoretical Physics for Quantum Information Science, as well as other National Quantum Initiative center activities.

Dwight has ten years of experience in administrative operations, 6 of those being at UNM, including with UNM HSC's Faculty Contracts Office and as the department administrator for Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences.

In his personal time Dwight enjoys travelling, reading, and bicycling through the Bosque. He is also working on a PhD in educational linguistics with a focus in sociolinguistics! Please drop by his new office, PAÍS room 2002, to welcome him to our community.

QuarkNet workshop helps NM Teachers understand particle physics

The Department of Physics and Astronomy science outreach efforts continued with Professor Sally Seidel spearheading a QuarkNet workshop for K-12 teachers at Explora Science Museum on September 18 and 19.

See the photos and the UNM Newsroom article.

Friday Evening Idea: Stargaze at the UNM Observatory
Fall Semester

Curious about the night sky? Join the Physics and Astronomy Department at our Friday night public viewing sessions, 8-10 pm weather permitting. Parking is free but limited, so show up early.

See the informative UNM Newsroom article and check the Campus Observatory webpage to see if the facility will be open this Friday.

Job Openings at UNM Physics & Astronomy Department

We’re looking for people to fill the following positions:

Postdoctoral fellow position in optical imaging instrument development in the Chakraborty Lab.

Postdoctoral fellow positions in Quantum Information in the Center for Quantum Information and Control.

Postdoctoral fellow position in High Performance Computing with the Long Wavelength Array and BiFrost For best consideration, applications should be received by November 15, 2021.

Lecturer position to teach three lower-division undergraduate physics and/or astronomy courses per semester. The expected start date is August 1, 2022, with classes beginning on August 22, 2022.

Teaching Lab Supervisor. You will provide technical support and equipment maintenance in upper division undergraduate/graduate physics laboratory classes. You'll develop new experiments and may do some teaching as well. For best consideration apply by September 30, 2021.

Machinist. Set up, program, and operate standard and CNC milling machines, lathes, light sheet metal equipment, and other machine tools. Help design and fabricate fixtures, tooling, and experimental parts to meet scientific needs. For best consideration apply by October 29, 2021.