近代物理所是一个依托大科学装置，开展重离子科学与技术、加速器驱动的先进核能系统研究的基地型研究所。战略定位是建成国际一流的重离子科学与技术、加速器驱动的先进核能技术研究基地。主要研究方向有：原子核物理、原子分子物理、放射生物学、核材料与工艺技术、乏燃料后处理技术、核技术相关材料科学、粒子加速器研究等。
近代物理所先后建成了1.5米回旋加速器（SFC，“一五”大科学工程）、大型分离扇回旋加速器（SSC，“七五”大科学工程）、兰州放射性束流线（RIBLL）、兰州重离子加速器冷却储存环（CSR，“九五”大科学工程）等大科学装置，在加速器研制方面拥有雄厚的技术和人才储备。1991年8月，原国家计委批准成立兰州重离子加速器国家实验室，依托近代物理所管理，面向国内外开放。
近代物理所还建有甘肃省同位素实验室、甘肃省重离子束辐射医学应用基础重点实验室、甘肃省空间辐射生物学重点实验室、甘肃省重离子创新中心、中科院重离子束辐射生物医学重点实验室、中科院高精度核谱学重点实验室、中科院离子加速器及质量检验检测工程实验室等，拥有320kV高电荷态综合研究平台、大功率电子加速器等重要科研设施及装置，在实验平台方面拥有不可替代的优势。
The Institute of Modern Physics is a base research institute that relies on large scientific facilities and conducts research on advanced nuclear energy systems driven by heavy ion science and technology and accelerator. It is strategically positioned to build an international first-class heavy ion science and technology, accelerator driven advanced nuclear energy technology research base. His research interests include nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, radiobiology, nuclear materials and process technology, spent fuel reprocessing technology, materials science related to nuclear technology, particle accelerator research, etc.
The Institute of Modern Physics has built 1.5m cyclotron (SFC), large separation fan cyclotron (SSC), Lanzhou Radioactive Beam Line (RIBLL), Lanzhou Heavy ion Accelerator Cooling Storage Ring (CSR) and other large scientific devices. In accelerator development has a strong technical and talent reserve. In August 1991, the former State Planning Commission approved the establishment of Lanzhou National Laboratory of Heavy Ion Accelerator, which was managed by the Institute of Modern Physics and opened to the public at home and abroad.
Also has a modern physics isotopic laboratory, gansu province, gansu province key laboratory of heavy ion radiation medicine application basis, space radiation biology key laboratory in gansu province, gansu province heavy-ion innovation center, heavy ion radiation biomedical key laboratory of Chinese Academy of Sciences, high-precision nuclear spectroscopy key laboratory of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences ion accelerator and quality inspection test engineering laboratory With 320kV high charge state comprehensive research platform, high-power electron accelerator and other important scientific research facilities and devices, has irreplaceable advantages in the experimental platform.