Theoretical Physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed Appointed to the Faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study

Particle physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed will join the Faculty at the Institute for Advanced Study, effective January 1, 2008. Dr. Arkani-Hamed comes to the Institute's School of Natural Sciences from Harvard University, where he is currently Professor of Physics.

One of the leading particle physics phenomenologists of his generation, Dr. Arkani-Hamed's work is concerned with the relation between theory and experiment. His research has shown how the extreme weakness of gravity, relative to other forces of nature, might be explained by the existence of extra dimensions of space, and how the structure of comparatively low-energy physics is constrained within the context of string theory. He has taken a lead in proposing new physical theories that can be tested at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Switzerland, which is scheduled to start up in May 2008. Dr. Arkani-Hamed has been a frequent Visitor in the Institute's School of Natural Sciences in recent years.

Peter Goddard, Director of the Institute, stated, "We are delighted that Dr. Arkani-Hamed has agreed to join our Faculty. He combines a brilliant imagination with a deep grasp of the technical aspects of modern theories, continually challenging conventional assumptions. He will play a leading role in the coming years as theory confronts experiment at the LHC."

"We are very excited about Dr. Arkani-Hamed's appointment," commented School of Natural Sciences Professor Nathan Seiberg. "His deep understanding of physics and his remarkable creativity will further strengthen the School of Natural Sciences."

"The IAS has always provided an ideal atmosphere for conducting fundamental research, and so I am thrilled to be joining the School of Natural Sciences as we enter a very exciting time for physics," said Dr. Arkani-Hamed.

Dr. Arkani-Hamed earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Toronto in 1993. In 1997, he obtained a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, and did postdoctoral work at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Dr. Arkani-Hamed joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley, as Assistant Professor of Physics in 1999, and was named Associate Professor in 2001. After spending a year as Visiting Professor of Physics at Harvard University, he joined their faculty in 2002 as Professor of Physics.

He is the recipient of a Phi Beta Kappa teaching award from Harvard (2005), the Gribov Medal of the European Physical Society (2003), and a number of fellowships, including a Packard Fellowship and a Sloan Fellowship, both awarded in 2000.

About the Institute for Advanced Study

The Institute for Advanced Study is one of the world’s leading centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. The Institute exists to encourage and support curiosity-driven research in the sciences and humanities—the original, often speculative thinking that produces advances in knowledge that change the way we understand the world. Work at the Institute takes place in four Schools: Historical Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Science. It provides for the mentoring of scholars by a permanent Faculty of approximately 30, and it ensures the freedom to undertake research that will make significant contributions in any of the broad range of fields in the sciences and humanities studied at the Institute.

The Institute, founded in 1930, is a private, independent academic institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. Its more than 6,000 former Members hold positions of intellectual and scientific leadership throughout the academic world. Thirty-three Nobel Laureates and 40 out of 56 Fields Medalists, as well as many winners of the Wolf and MacArthur prizes, have been affiliated with the Institute.