AJ Mitchell

Dr AJ Mitchell is a Research Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Physics & Accelerator Applications within the Research School of Physics at the Australian National University. He joined ANU in 2015 and also serves as a Tuckwell Fellow, working closely with undergraduate scholars. Additionally, he is actively expanding outreach and engagement of the Research School of Physics across the Asia-Pacific region.

His educational qualifications are:

• PhD in Experimental Nuclear Physics, University of Manchester, UK (2012)
• MSci (Honours) in Applied Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, UK (2009)

Dr Mitchell's primary research interests lie in experimental nuclear physics, with a focus on nuclear structure. His work includes investigating high-j single-particle energies in nuclei, nuclear spectroscopy using nucleon-transfer reactions, and studying the radioactive decay properties of exotic nuclei. He is particularly interested in the search for isomer depletion levels and the development of novel infrastructure for nuclear physics experiments.

His significant scientific awards include:

• ACT Tall Poppy Science Award (2019)
• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (2019)
• Fellow, Higher Education Academy (2017)

In teaching, Dr Mitchell convenes PHYS8204 Fundamentals of Nuclear Radiation and co-convenes PHYS1001 Foundations of Physics. He is passionate about science communication and leads outreach initiatives such as hosting laboratory tours for high-school groups and running the ACT branch of the ConocoPhillips Science Experience. Internationally, he is involved in teacher training in Timor Leste and a capacity-building program with the University of Yangon in Myanmar.