1. Theoretical Particle Physics Group (TPP)
Banfi Calmet Hindmarsh Huber Jaeger Litim Sanz

2. Theoretical Particle Physics
Common tool: Quantum Field Theory
unravel the physics at the TeV energy scale by exploiting the LHC and other experiments
understand the evolution of the universe in terms of the fundamental laws of physics
explore the quantum nature of gravity and its implications for particle physics and cosmology

4. Particle Physics, Gravity and Cosmology
What is quantum gravity?
Effective theory approach to quantum gravity using QFT techniques
Quantum gravity and particle physics: grand unification physics
Probing quantum gravity in the very early universe
Extreme cosmology (very early universe)
Inflation models and links to particle physics
(Higgs, Starobinsky inflation etc)
Time variation of fundamental couplings and vacuum evolution
What is dark matter?
Can it be explained by a modification of GR?
Is it a new form of matter (particle)?
Gravitational waves and black holes as laboratories to test fundamental physics and strong field gravity
Tests of GR, maybe even quantum gravity
Tests of black hole physics, horizon
Information theory and black holes
Xavier Calmet

5. Particle Physics and Cosmology Mark Hindmarsh
Production of Gravitational Waves in the Early Universe (MHI2)
Violent processes in the early universe - such as phase transitions - would have generated gravitational waves. This project examines possible sources from new physics at very high energy, calculate the amplitude and frequency spectrum of the resulting gravitational waves, and assess the possibilities for detection by a future space-based gravitational wave observatory.
Some prior experience of the numerical solution of differential equations (with e.g. Python or Matlab) is needed.
Recommended modules: General Relativity, Quantum Field Theory, Early Universe. 
Numerical simulations of phase transitions in the early Universe
(MH11)
Modern particle physics predicts that the very early Universe went through a series of phase transitions, which may have produced extended objects called topological defects.  This project studies phase transitions using numerical simulations: specific problems include the propagation and collision of phase boundaries, the formation and evolution of domain walls or cosmic strings.
Basic knowledge of C is essential, and some familiarity with Unix would be useful.
Recommended modules: General Relativity, Quantum Field Theory, C++.
The evolution of the Universe in terms of the fundamental laws of physics

6. Stephan Huber
Supersymmetry: symmetry between bosons and fermions at the electroweak scale to explain the mass of the Higgs; links to phase transitions and dark matter
Extra dimensions/holography: use extra dimensions to explain the nature of the Higgs boson; implications for LHC
Electroweak phase transition: electroweak symmetry breaking in the early universe and links to baryogenesis and gravitational waves

7. Quantum gravity, strong coupling and critical phenomena
Daniel Litim
can we combine general relativity with quantum mechanics?
what’s the trouble with spin-2 degrees of freedom?
is metric quantum gravity fundamental?
can we combine gravity with the Standard Model?
how does metric quantum gravity affects
- the unification of couplings?
- the running of couplings including the Higgs?
- the early universe and inflation?
- the late universe and cosmic acceleration?
non-perturbative quantum field theory
what can we learn about strongly coupled systems
- critical scalar/gauge theories?
- critical supersymmetry / -gravity?
- non-perturbative gravity?
- quantum chromodynamics?
development of new continuum methods

8. Quantum gravity, strong coupling and critical phenomena
Daniel Litim
can we combine general relativity with quantum mechanics?
what’s the trouble with spin-2 degrees of freedom?
is metric quantum gravity fundamental?
can we combine gravity with the Standard Model?
how does metric quantum gravity affects
- the unification of couplings?
- the running of couplings including the Higgs?
- the early universe and inflation?
- the late universe and cosmic acceleration?
non-perturbative quantum field theory
what can we learn about strongly coupled systems
- critical scalar/gauge theories?
- critical supersymmetry / -gravity?
- non-perturbative gravity?
- quantum chromodynamics?
development of new continuum methods

9. Veronica Sanz
Higgs couplings fits: Higgs mechanism; use data coming from the Large Hadron Collider; constrain new physics, such as Supersymmetry.
Holography and Superconductivity: build duality between strongly coupled condensed matter system (cuprate superconductor) and models in more than four dimensions.
Tools for Dark Matter: searched in telescopes on Earth, the space station, satellites in orbit, the Large Hadron Collider, underground mine facilities, etc; develop tools to connect these; need good theoretical background and some experience with programming (C++, python).