The Thomas Schwetz Lab

Thomas Schwetz’s lab works at the interface of particle physics, cosmology, and astroparticle physics, with a strong focus on neutrinos and dark matter. The central goal is to use precision data—from laboratory experiments and observations of the Universe—to uncover fundamental properties of particles and to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. A major research theme is neutrino physics, including global analyses of neutrino oscillation data, studies of CP and T violation, and theoretical foundations of neutrino oscillations. The lab plays a leading role in global fits that combine results from experiments such as DUNE, T2HK, T2K, and NOvA. Another key area is the interplay between neutrino properties and cosmology, investigating how neutrinos affect Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, and large-scale structure. The lab also explores dark matter and dark-sector models, such as axion-like particles, sterile neutrinos, and long-lived particles in the early Universe. This work relies on analytical calculations, quantum field theory, effective field theories, and numerical tools like Boltzmann solvers to connect theory with experimental and observational constraints. The research has high societal relevance by addressing fundamental questions about the composition and evolution of the Universe. The lab is an excellent fit for students interested in theoretical physics, mathematical modeling, and data-driven inference, especially those motivated to connect theory with cutting-edge experiments and cosmological observations.