Axel Maas
@axelmaas.bsky.social
Professor for Theoretical Particle Physics at University of Graz (Austria). QFT, Higgs, BSM and quantum gravity. Views are my own.
Also doing my best for a safe and liveable world for everyone.
He/Him. Others may apply in the future.
Also doing my best for a safe and liveable world for everyone.
He/Him. Others may apply in the future.
Reposted by Axel Maas
A note on learning physics ⚛️ for starting PhD students:
At the risk of saying something completely useless because everyone has it worked out
There is no magic trick, your classmates *may* be faster than you, but they are still studying as long as they need to and you are quite capable of the same
At the risk of saying something completely useless because everyone has it worked out
There is no magic trick, your classmates *may* be faster than you, but they are still studying as long as they need to and you are quite capable of the same
December 4, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A note on learning physics ⚛️ for starting PhD students:
At the risk of saying something completely useless because everyone has it worked out
There is no magic trick, your classmates *may* be faster than you, but they are still studying as long as they need to and you are quite capable of the same
At the risk of saying something completely useless because everyone has it worked out
There is no magic trick, your classmates *may* be faster than you, but they are still studying as long as they need to and you are quite capable of the same
This account has really becoming a chaotic and incoherent mixture of transgenerational efforts in fundamental physics and talking about how to deal with the incoming collapse in #TalkCollapse.
Oh well, new horizons in either case.
Oh well, new horizons in either case.
December 4, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This account has really becoming a chaotic and incoherent mixture of transgenerational efforts in fundamental physics and talking about how to deal with the incoming collapse in #TalkCollapse.
Oh well, new horizons in either case.
Oh well, new horizons in either case.
That's us 😊 #ParticlePhysics #QuantumGravity
🥳 1,5 Mio Euro vom @fwf-at.bsky.social für Physik-Doktoratsausbildung in in der Theoretischen Elementarteilchenphysik der #unigraz
👏 Sechs Jungforscher:innen werden für 3,5 Jahre finanziert, um den Ursprung der Welt zu erforschen. ⬇️
@axelmaas.bsky.social #weworkfortomorrow
👏 Sechs Jungforscher:innen werden für 3,5 Jahre finanziert, um den Ursprung der Welt zu erforschen. ⬇️
@axelmaas.bsky.social #weworkfortomorrow
Dem Urknall auf der Spur: Uni Graz erhält 1,5 Mio Euro für Physik-Doktoratsausbildung
Der österreichische Wissenschaftsfonds FWF wählte neben acht anderen das Doktoratsprogramm in der Theoretischen Elementarteilchenphysik der Universität Graz für Gelder aus dem Doc.funds aus. Sechs Nac...
www.uni-graz.at
December 4, 2025 at 12:21 PM
That's us 😊 #ParticlePhysics #QuantumGravity
We, theoretical particle physics @uni-graz.at, is one of the successful programs! 6 fully funded PhD positions in #ParticlePhysics and #QuantumGravity. Watch this space for the advertisement!
What we will do is understand how elementary particle build composite states, both hadrons and black holes.
What we will do is understand how elementary particle build composite states, both hadrons and black holes.
Sieben Forschungsteams erhalten Unterstützung im Rahmen der doc.funds-Förderungen: Mit rund 16,5 Millionen Euro setzt der #FWF einen starken Impuls für 65 neue #Doktoratsstellen und für die nächste Generation exzellenter Forschung an Universitäten. #docfunds 🎓
www.fwf.ac.at/aktuelles/de...
www.fwf.ac.at/aktuelles/de...
65 neue Doktoratsstellen entstehen in ganz Österreich
Der FWF investiert rund 16,5 Millionen Euro in 65 neue Doktoratsstellen innerhalb von sieben Forschungsteams an Universitäten und Fachhochschulen in ganz Österreich. Das soll die Karrierechancen von D...
www.fwf.ac.at
December 3, 2025 at 12:31 PM
We, theoretical particle physics @uni-graz.at, is one of the successful programs! 6 fully funded PhD positions in #ParticlePhysics and #QuantumGravity. Watch this space for the advertisement!
What we will do is understand how elementary particle build composite states, both hadrons and black holes.
What we will do is understand how elementary particle build composite states, both hadrons and black holes.
This month goes on with a lot of teaching - this year my teaching load is balanced very asymmetrically between summer and winter #ProfAtWork
Teaching in a classroom: 24.1%
Email (mostly administration): 18.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 9.2%
Activism: 9.2%
Teaching in a classroom: 24.1%
Email (mostly administration): 18.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 9.2%
Activism: 9.2%
This semester the new semester started, and especially with a block course on introductory math, and this shows #ProfAtWork
Teaching in a classroom: 34.6%
Email (mostly administration): 15.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 8.6%
Administration: 8.1%
Teaching preparation: 6.0%
Teaching in a classroom: 34.6%
Email (mostly administration): 15.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 8.6%
Administration: 8.1%
Teaching preparation: 6.0%
This month, I was basically in office without any events and obligations, and this shows in the numbers 😊 #ProfAtWork
Email (mostly administration): 18.3%
Research by myself: 15.7%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 14.4%
Writing papers: 12.5%
Teaching preparation: 8.3%
Email (mostly administration): 18.3%
Research by myself: 15.7%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 14.4%
Writing papers: 12.5%
Teaching preparation: 8.3%
December 3, 2025 at 8:21 AM
This month goes on with a lot of teaching - this year my teaching load is balanced very asymmetrically between summer and winter #ProfAtWork
Teaching in a classroom: 24.1%
Email (mostly administration): 18.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 9.2%
Activism: 9.2%
Teaching in a classroom: 24.1%
Email (mostly administration): 18.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 9.2%
Activism: 9.2%
I will #TalkCollapse next week!
BETWEEN NET ZERO AND COLLAPSE: Reflection & discussion following the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, with @ilonamotto.bsky.social, @axelmaas.bsky.social & @dmaraun.bsky.social
📆 04.12., 5 pm | SR 62.31 @uni-graz.at & online 👉 wegcenter.uni-graz.at/en/events/be...
📆 04.12., 5 pm | SR 62.31 @uni-graz.at & online 👉 wegcenter.uni-graz.at/en/events/be...
November 28, 2025 at 10:11 AM
I will #TalkCollapse next week!
We are organizing a workshop on complex electroweak final states - basically having a lot of Higgs, W, and Z particles popping out of a collision. This will be a new frontier at any future collider.
It takes place next February @uni-graz.at - registration is open at inspirehep.net/conferences/...
It takes place next February @uni-graz.at - registration is open at inspirehep.net/conferences/...
INSPIRE
inspirehep.net
November 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
We are organizing a workshop on complex electroweak final states - basically having a lot of Higgs, W, and Z particles popping out of a collision. This will be a new frontier at any future collider.
It takes place next February @uni-graz.at - registration is open at inspirehep.net/conferences/...
It takes place next February @uni-graz.at - registration is open at inspirehep.net/conferences/...
I do #TalkCollapse in Graz on December 4th: wegcenter.uni-graz.at/en/events/be...
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I do #TalkCollapse in Graz on December 4th: wegcenter.uni-graz.at/en/events/be...
#TalksCollapse in Graz.
Kollaps Café #Graz
Einladung zu einer Willkommensveranstaltung:
👉 " Offenes Treffen - Schau gerne vorbei ! "
Wann: Freitag, 14.11.2025, ab 17:30 Uhr
Wo: schubertNEST
Elisabethstraße 27
8010 GRAZ
Eingang über Beethovenstraße
#SolidarischImKollaps #KollapsCafe #TalkCollapse ☕🤗
Einladung zu einer Willkommensveranstaltung:
👉 " Offenes Treffen - Schau gerne vorbei ! "
Wann: Freitag, 14.11.2025, ab 17:30 Uhr
Wo: schubertNEST
Elisabethstraße 27
8010 GRAZ
Eingang über Beethovenstraße
#SolidarischImKollaps #KollapsCafe #TalkCollapse ☕🤗
November 12, 2025 at 9:47 PM
#TalksCollapse in Graz.
This semester the new semester started, and especially with a block course on introductory math, and this shows #ProfAtWork
Teaching in a classroom: 34.6%
Email (mostly administration): 15.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 8.6%
Administration: 8.1%
Teaching preparation: 6.0%
Teaching in a classroom: 34.6%
Email (mostly administration): 15.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 8.6%
Administration: 8.1%
Teaching preparation: 6.0%
This month, I was basically in office without any events and obligations, and this shows in the numbers 😊 #ProfAtWork
Email (mostly administration): 18.3%
Research by myself: 15.7%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 14.4%
Writing papers: 12.5%
Teaching preparation: 8.3%
Email (mostly administration): 18.3%
Research by myself: 15.7%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 14.4%
Writing papers: 12.5%
Teaching preparation: 8.3%
This month I was still partly on holiday but since activism needs to become an integral part also of scientific work to keep continuing doing research and education in the polycrisis, it also took a large portion of this month. In particular by attending the #Kollapscamp the last few days.
November 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM
This semester the new semester started, and especially with a block course on introductory math, and this shows #ProfAtWork
Teaching in a classroom: 34.6%
Email (mostly administration): 15.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 8.6%
Administration: 8.1%
Teaching preparation: 6.0%
Teaching in a classroom: 34.6%
Email (mostly administration): 15.2%
Working directly with PhD/Master/Bachelor student: 8.6%
Administration: 8.1%
Teaching preparation: 6.0%
Very substantial progress. There are new ceilings, and it is almost at street level. I even heard that soon again trucks will drive over these ceilings, to deliver parts and materials. Gives you a bit of trust into the stability #GCP
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Very substantial progress. There are new ceilings, and it is almost at street level. I even heard that soon again trucks will drive over these ceilings, to deliver parts and materials. Gives you a bit of trust into the stability #GCP
Welcome Slaven Djukic, who will do a master thesis with @simonplaetzer.bsky.social and myself on multi-boson physics at current and future colliders - particle.uni-graz.at/en/structure...
Structures and Observables - Axel Maas - particle.uni-graz.at
We investigate the concepts of quantum field theory, in particular gauge theories, using analytical methods and large-scale numerical simulations.
particle.uni-graz.at
November 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Welcome Slaven Djukic, who will do a master thesis with @simonplaetzer.bsky.social and myself on multi-boson physics at current and future colliders - particle.uni-graz.at/en/structure...
Our second #EPSHEP proceeding is now available at arxiv.org/abs/2510.27457
We confirm, for the first time unquenched, what has been predicted 45 years ago by Fröhlich, Morchio, and Strocchi: A bound state of a Higgs an a light lepton (with some technical details) is much lighter than the Higgs.
We confirm, for the first time unquenched, what has been predicted 45 years ago by Fröhlich, Morchio, and Strocchi: A bound state of a Higgs an a light lepton (with some technical details) is much lighter than the Higgs.
Spectrum of the SU(2) scalar-fermion-gauge system under the influence of the Brout-Englert-Higgs effect
Gauge invariance requires physical states to be composite, even in the weak sector of the Standard Model (SM). The Fröhlich-Morchio-Strocchi (FMS) mechanism resolves this subtlety and predicts additio...
arxiv.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Our second #EPSHEP proceeding is now available at arxiv.org/abs/2510.27457
We confirm, for the first time unquenched, what has been predicted 45 years ago by Fröhlich, Morchio, and Strocchi: A bound state of a Higgs an a light lepton (with some technical details) is much lighter than the Higgs.
We confirm, for the first time unquenched, what has been predicted 45 years ago by Fröhlich, Morchio, and Strocchi: A bound state of a Higgs an a light lepton (with some technical details) is much lighter than the Higgs.
Feeling this. Just being one in a long line in history.
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Feeling this. Just being one in a long line in history.
#TalkCollapse: What needs to factor into all our significant decisions.
The 2025 State of the Climate Report is out and as a MUST READ before COP30 gets underway. Check out these first 2 sentences: "We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet’s vital signs are flashing red. "
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
The 2025 state of the climate report: a planet on the brink
We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet's vital signs are flashing red. The consequences of human-driven alterations of the climate are no longer
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
#TalkCollapse: What needs to factor into all our significant decisions.
On my way to Vienna to discuss our final contribution to the European Strategy for particle physics update. Especially, what we would prefer if option a, most likely the #FCC would not be possible.
Sadly, especially Vienna did again numbers for Covid, and thus #TheMaskStaysOn.
Sadly, especially Vienna did again numbers for Covid, and thus #TheMaskStaysOn.
November 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
On my way to Vienna to discuss our final contribution to the European Strategy for particle physics update. Especially, what we would prefer if option a, most likely the #FCC would not be possible.
Sadly, especially Vienna did again numbers for Covid, and thus #TheMaskStaysOn.
Sadly, especially Vienna did again numbers for Covid, and thus #TheMaskStaysOn.
Reposted by Axel Maas
AXA and Ipsos have published the 12th edition of the Future Risks Report, a report based on a global survey of 23,000 citizens and 3,595 risk experts.
What do both experts and citizens rank as greates risk?
*** Climate change ***
So do I, after over 35 years experience in climate science.
What do both experts and citizens rank as greates risk?
*** Climate change ***
So do I, after over 35 years experience in climate science.
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
AXA and Ipsos have published the 12th edition of the Future Risks Report, a report based on a global survey of 23,000 citizens and 3,595 risk experts.
What do both experts and citizens rank as greates risk?
*** Climate change ***
So do I, after over 35 years experience in climate science.
What do both experts and citizens rank as greates risk?
*** Climate change ***
So do I, after over 35 years experience in climate science.
Drop by, I will also be there.
Next Friday we are celebrating the inauguration of the Marietta Blau Institute for Particly Physics! 🤩 🥳
🖍️ Haven’t signed up yet? Now’s the time!
➡️ www.oeaw.ac.at/mbi/veransta...
🖍️ Haven’t signed up yet? Now’s the time!
➡️ www.oeaw.ac.at/mbi/veransta...
October 30, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Drop by, I will also be there.
Our proceedings for the #EPSHEP conference are now openly available at arxiv.org/abs/2510.21248
While mostly summarizing arxiv.org/abs/2504.11047 they also discuss that the Brout-Englert-Higgs effect appears to also work in gravity. And that may explain why we do not see #SuperSymmetry.
While mostly summarizing arxiv.org/abs/2504.11047 they also discuss that the Brout-Englert-Higgs effect appears to also work in gravity. And that may explain why we do not see #SuperSymmetry.
Composite objects in quantum (super)gravity
It has been a long entertained idea that self-bound gravitons, so-called geons, could be a dark matter candidate or form (primordial) black holes. The development of viable candidates for quantum grav...
arxiv.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Our proceedings for the #EPSHEP conference are now openly available at arxiv.org/abs/2510.21248
While mostly summarizing arxiv.org/abs/2504.11047 they also discuss that the Brout-Englert-Higgs effect appears to also work in gravity. And that may explain why we do not see #SuperSymmetry.
While mostly summarizing arxiv.org/abs/2504.11047 they also discuss that the Brout-Englert-Higgs effect appears to also work in gravity. And that may explain why we do not see #SuperSymmetry.
I am griefstruck by this. This is what the #ClimateCollapse amplifies. It hits, currently, those worst who had done little to cause it.
Become aware of what is coming. This is only the beginning, and we need to be prepare together, and leave no one behind.
www.commondreams.org/news/jamaica...
Become aware of what is coming. This is only the beginning, and we need to be prepare together, and leave no one behind.
www.commondreams.org/news/jamaica...
'Jamaica Will Be Unrecognizable After This': Hurricane Melissa Erupts Into Category 5 'Monster' | Common Dreams
One hurricane historian said the world is "witnessing history on satellite right now" as the people of Jamaica came under evacuation orders and braced for impact of a storm that threatens severe flood...
www.commondreams.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I am griefstruck by this. This is what the #ClimateCollapse amplifies. It hits, currently, those worst who had done little to cause it.
Become aware of what is coming. This is only the beginning, and we need to be prepare together, and leave no one behind.
www.commondreams.org/news/jamaica...
Become aware of what is coming. This is only the beginning, and we need to be prepare together, and leave no one behind.
www.commondreams.org/news/jamaica...
The CERN family grows 😊
October 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The CERN family grows 😊
I signed this. Any inroad to slow down the #ClimateCollapse, now matter how small, needs to be taken. We are running out of time.
Open Letter by scientists to the Council:
"Climate Neutrality Is Europe’s Greatest Economic Opportunity”.
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 23.10.2025,
2,178 scientists urge EU Heads of States & Governments to take ambitious decisions for the 2040 targets.
zenodo.org/records/1739...
"Climate Neutrality Is Europe’s Greatest Economic Opportunity”.
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 23.10.2025,
2,178 scientists urge EU Heads of States & Governments to take ambitious decisions for the 2040 targets.
zenodo.org/records/1739...
October 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I signed this. Any inroad to slow down the #ClimateCollapse, now matter how small, needs to be taken. We are running out of time.
Thread. So, now also my own field of particle physics.
Never think your own field is safe, because it is not political. As long as someone is not safe, none of us are.
Never think your own field is safe, because it is not political. As long as someone is not safe, none of us are.
SCIENCE POLICY NEWS:
During Yom Kippur, all the members of the High Energy Physics Advisory Committee (HEPAP), myself included, received a letter thanking us for our service and telling us essentially that the almost 40 yo standing federal advisory committee was no more. ⚛️🧪🔭
Why that matters 🧵
During Yom Kippur, all the members of the High Energy Physics Advisory Committee (HEPAP), myself included, received a letter thanking us for our service and telling us essentially that the almost 40 yo standing federal advisory committee was no more. ⚛️🧪🔭
Why that matters 🧵
DOE Consolidates Office of Science Advisory Committees
Six long-standing committees advising the Department of Energy’s Office of Science have been rolled into one.
www.aip.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Thread. So, now also my own field of particle physics.
Never think your own field is safe, because it is not political. As long as someone is not safe, none of us are.
Never think your own field is safe, because it is not political. As long as someone is not safe, none of us are.
Same as has been recently discussed for Germany by my own scientific association, the German Physical Society, here for the British Island, this time from an insurer.
Not to mention that this is already reality, not possibility, in many places outside Europe.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Not to mention that this is already reality, not possibility, in many places outside Europe.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Towns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at risk
Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable, Guardian investigation finds
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Same as has been recently discussed for Germany by my own scientific association, the German Physical Society, here for the British Island, this time from an insurer.
Not to mention that this is already reality, not possibility, in many places outside Europe.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Not to mention that this is already reality, not possibility, in many places outside Europe.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Mars Rover Cew Chief.
If you want cool science, you need also to have a decent political system. A government run on hate and greed will never bring you the stars, or our origins, or our next cure. Everything big is, and was, a community effort.
If you want cool science, you need also to have a decent political system. A government run on hate and greed will never bring you the stars, or our origins, or our next cure. Everything big is, and was, a community effort.
We are all so incredibly tired. The cuts keep coming, the damage to our teams keeps compounding, yet we somehow keep the missions going. Ashley, Abby and I were all on shift together on MSL today. I hope it wasn’t for the last time.
October 14, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Mars Rover Cew Chief.
If you want cool science, you need also to have a decent political system. A government run on hate and greed will never bring you the stars, or our origins, or our next cure. Everything big is, and was, a community effort.
If you want cool science, you need also to have a decent political system. A government run on hate and greed will never bring you the stars, or our origins, or our next cure. Everything big is, and was, a community effort.