This month we are delighted to welcome Oleg Brandt, a Professor of Experimental Physics in the High Energy Physics group of the Cavendish.

Oleg’s journey into the world of particle physics is both captivating and enlightening. From his early days inspired by a remarkable physics teacher directly followed by a rocky start at University, to a transformative experience abroad and a few more pivotal moments along the way, Oleg's insatiable curiosity for the fundamental mysteries of nature and his passion for teaching has led him to Cambridge where he now teaches the next generations of physicists while searching for dark matter, long-lived particles and other exciting new phenomena at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider and beyond.

In this episode, Oleg offers a glimpse into the intricate world of particle physics through his unique perspective. Together we talk about the fulfilment and frustrations of a life in research, the importance of feeding one’s curiosity, navigating setbacks, and advice for aspiring physicists.

• Learn more about Oleg Brandt’s research on dark matter long-lived particles and other exciting new phenomena here.
• Are you curious about those particle accelerators and detectors discussed in the episode? Explore CERN's Large Hadron Collider and Fermilab’s science.
• The Arithmeum in Bonn (Germany) is the museum housing the most comprehensive collection worldwide of historical calculating machines. Chek it out!
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested in joining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website.

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey. Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you!
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others to find us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at podcast@phy.cam.ac.uk or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Jacob Butler and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock

This episode is also available in video format on our YouTube channel - check it out!

Today’s format is a little different to our usual episodes, as we’ve invited four Cavendish alumni for a panel discussion about all things physics and career development.

They’ll tell us about what they learnt at the Cavendish, their natural sciences and physics background, as well as how their doctoral research in physics shaped their careers and brought them to where they are today.

We’re joined by Aswathy Girija, commissioning editor at the Institute of Physics, Professor Kerstin Göpfrich, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Joanne Baker, author of four popular science books and Chief Opinion Editor at Nature, and Emma Williams, professional development coach and careers expert who has a wealth of insight into not just her own journey, but those she mentors.

We hope that this conversation will give you valuable insights into the many paths and opportunities for people doing physics.

• Learn more about Kerstin Göpfrich's research at the Max Plank Institute for Medical Research
• You might also want to check out IOP Publishing and its portfolio of scientific journals
• Joanne Baker's is the author of '50 physics ideas you really need to know', and many more.
• If you are interested in getting some training yourself, Emma William's website is full of resources. If you are a postdoc you should also explore Hello postdocs - The Nerd Coach
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested injoining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website
• And finally, if you are a Cavendish Alumnus and you would like to share your journey with our listeners, please get in touch!

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey! Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you.
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others tofind us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at podcast@phy.cam.ac.uk or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Host: Simone Eizagirre Barker

Recording and Editing: Chris Brock

Have you ever looked at the sky at night and wondered about the mysteries of the universe? When most of us are just looking at those bright stars in awe, our guest today would be searching for tiny, minuscule signals that would help unlock the mysteries of the so-called Cosmic Dawn, when the universe went from dark to bright.

Eloy de Lera Acedo is an Associate Professor of Radio Cosmology and the head of the Radio Astronomy and Cosmology research group. His background in engineering and thirst of learning about the big science questions have led him to the Cavendish where he is involved in multiple international projects for new radio telescopes exploring a very, very infant universe.

So, with Eloy, we talk about the universe of course and how it went from darkness to radiant, but also about childhood curiosity, choosing between technical and theoretical knowledge, and about convincing people.

• Explore the REACH and SKA projects that Eloy presents in the episode.
• To learn more about his research work on the early epochs of the Universe, visit Eloy’s research group website.
• Curious about the history of radio astronomy in Cambridge? Read this article.
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested injoining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website

• Help us get better by taking our quick survey! Your feedback will help us understand how we can improve in the future. Thank you.
• If you like this episode don’t forget to rate it and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps others tofind us.
• Any comment about the podcast or question you would like to ask our physicists, email us at podcast@phy.cam.ac.uk or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PeopleDoingPhysics.

Hosts: Shelly Liu and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and Editing: Chris Brock