Particle physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed will join the faculty at the Institute for Advanced Study, effective Jan. 1.
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 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." "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.He is the recipient of Harvard’s Phi Beta Kappa teaching award .

