Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shihang_Shen

Publication: https://inspirehep.net/authors/1274905?ui-citation-summary=true

Biography

My research is in theoretical nuclear physics and computational physics. I work on ab initio methods grounded in the fundamental nuclear force, aiming to understand structure, dynamics, and emergent phenomena in complex quantum many-body systems.

Combining quantum many-body theory, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and new computational approaches, we develop frameworks that connect microscopic nucleon interactions to macroscopic nuclear phenomena. Main research themes include ab initio nuclear calculations, nuclear structure and geometric shapes, nuclear reactions and nuclear data, and applications of AI and quantum computing in nuclear physics.

In recent years we have obtained a series of results in relativistic ab initio methods, lattice effective field theory, and nuclear spatial structure. Related work has appeared in Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics, and other international journals.

Research Directions

1. Ab Initio Nuclear Calculations and Quantum Many-Body Theory

Atomic nuclei are complex quantum many-body systems of protons and neutrons. Understanding nuclear structure requires starting from the fundamental nuclear force and describing the rich variety of nuclear phenomena with reduced reliance on empirical parameters.

Our group develops next-generation ab initio methods for nuclei, including:

• relativistic ab initio nuclear structure theory;

• chiral nuclear forces and many-body methods;

• lattice effective field theory;

• large-scale quantum many-body computations.

The goal is a unified theoretical description from nucleon interactions to the properties of finite nuclei.

2. Emergent Structure and Geometric Shapes in Nuclei

In complex quantum systems, macroscopic structure often arises from the collective behavior of microscopic degrees of freedom.

We develop methods to extract physical information directly from many-body wave functions, focusing on:

• spatial distributions and geometric shapes of nuclei;

• alpha clustering;

• collective motion and single-particle excitations;

• emergent phenomena in light nuclei.

Related studies have revealed distinctive geometric structures associated with different quantum states of light nuclei such as carbon-12, offering a new theoretical perspective on clustering in nuclei.

3. Nuclear Reactions, Nuclear Data, and Applications

Nuclei are not only fundamental quantum many-body systems; they also underpin energy science, astrophysics, and nuclear technology.

We are exploring ab initio approaches to nuclear reaction theory, including:

• low-energy nuclear reactions and scattering;

• properties of unstable nuclei and nuclei under extreme conditions;

• theory and computation for nuclear astrophysics and nuclear-data needs.

Looking ahead, we aim to build a computational framework that links the fundamental nuclear force, nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, and practical applications, providing theoretical support for nuclear-data evaluation, nuclear engineering, and nuclear astrophysics.

4. Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, and Quantum Computing

Many problems in modern nuclear physics involve extremely high-dimensional quantum many-body spaces and call for new computational methods.

Our group explores:

• AI-assisted quantum many-body calculations;

• neural-network representations of complex quantum wave functions;

• GPU and high-performance computing techniques;

• nuclear-physics algorithms for future quantum computers.

By bridging physical theory and computational science, we aim to develop new tools for hard quantum problems.

Selected Research Highlights

A relativistic ab initio framework for nuclear structure

We developed self-consistent relativistic ab initio methods for finite nuclei and demonstrated the important role of relativistic effects in improving the description of nuclear properties. Related work includes a review and a series of papers in Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics.

New geometric structures in nuclei

We proposed methods to study nucleon spatial distributions from ab initio wave functions and revealed geometric features of different states of carbon-12. These results were published in Nature Communications.

Resolving a long-standing puzzle in helium-4 transitions

Using ab initio calculations, we explained the long-standing discrepancy between experiment and theory for the monopole transition in helium-4. The results were published in Physical Review Letters.

Exploring extreme quantum systems

Using lattice ab initio methods, we study beryllium isotopes, halo nuclei, tetraneutron systems, and related frontier problems, focusing on correlations and new phenomena in weakly bound quantum systems.

For international students, please refer to the application link:
https://is.buaa.edu.cn/lxsq/yjs/yjs_ssyjs.htm

Openings

Master’s students, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers are welcome to join the group.

Relevant backgrounds include:

• theoretical physics and nuclear physics;

• interdisciplinary backgrounds in mathematics or computer science;

• high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing;

• nuclear reactions, nuclear data, and related applications.

If you are interested in exploring open questions, developing new computational methods, and understanding complex quantum systems, please get in touch.

Expectations for Future Graduate Students

Graduate study is not only about learning existing knowledge; more importantly, it is about gradually mastering how to identify, analyze, and solve problems.

Our group works on theoretical nuclear physics and computational physics, involving theoretical derivation, scientific computing, software development, and interdisciplinary research. We hope students will develop the following abilities over time:

• literature reading and problem analysis;

• theoretical understanding and derivation;

• scientific computing and programming;

• scientific communication and writing;

• teamwork and independent research.

These skills need not all be in place when you join. Graduate training is a process of continuous learning and growth. More than prior knowledge or skills, I value:

curiosity about scientific questions, a proactive attitude toward learning, and the persistence to keep exploring when difficulties arise.

On research attitude

Research differs greatly from coursework.

Coursework usually has relatively clear answers, whereas research often has none ready-made and requires repeated trials, checks, and exploration.

Difficulties, detours, and even failures are therefore normal. A good researcher is not someone who never meets problems, but someone who stays patient, analyzes causes, and looks for new approaches when problems appear.

We encourage students to:

• remain curious about questions;

• propose new ideas boldly;

• ground those ideas in existing knowledge and sound analysis;

• value details and foundational training.

Scientific results usually come from long-term accumulation, not from a single calculation or a sudden breakthrough. Extensive trials, comparisons, and validation are indispensable parts of research.

On communication and discussion

Research depends heavily on communication.

Many important ideas are not formed alone in front of a computer, but emerge through discussion, questioning, and collaboration. We therefore encourage students to communicate actively:

• share their ideas;

• report research progress;

• raise difficulties they meet;

• discuss differing views.

Discussion does not mean denying someone’s ability. Questions, suggestions, and even disagreements help us understand problems better and improve research quality.

We also respect different personalities. Some students prefer to think independently; others prefer to explore through conversation. What matters is being able to communicate openly when collaboration and discussion are needed, rather than keeping ideas closed off for long periods.

On teamwork

Modern research increasingly relies on collaboration.

In a group, members may work on different topics or different parts of a project. A strong research team is not a set of isolated competitors, but a group that supports one another to tackle harder problems together.

We value:

• respect for others’ contributions;

• candid discussion of research ideas;

• authorship ordered according to actual contributions;

• sharing knowledge and experience to help teammates grow.

Research outcomes result from collective effort. Individual contributions will be recognized carefully, and we hope everyone approaches research with a cooperative and growth-oriented mindset.

On independence

Graduate study should gradually shift from “completing tasks assigned by the advisor” to “actively finding and solving problems.”

Early on, the advisor provides guidance, discusses directions, and helps with difficulties. As skills grow, students are expected to form their own judgment on questions such as:

• Why study this problem?

• Which methods should be used?

• How should results be validated?

• What should come next?

Independent thinking and team communication are not in conflict. Strong researchers can explore independently and collaborate effectively.

On communication when difficulties arise

Difficulties are normal in research. If you face:

• blocked research progress;

• doubts about direction;

• scheduling conflicts;

• different views on workload or plans;

please communicate in time.

Many problems grow not from the difficulty itself, but from a lack of communication.

We hope to build an open, equal, and trusting research environment in which everyone can grow through challenges.

Closing

I hope to help students become people with lasting research capacity, not only people who can finish one project.

Whether you later stay in academia or move to industry or research institutes, what truly matters is:

• keeping the ability to learn;

• analyzing complex problems well;

• working with others;

• retaining a spirit of exploration toward the unknown.

If you are interested in exploring open questions and willing to keep learning and growing, you are welcome to join us.