The Institute for Advanced Study, or the IAS, is known for being the academic home of scholars such as Oppenheimer, Albert Einstein, Hermann Weyl, Kurt Gödel, and John von Neumann. It was founded in 1930 as a research center.
Following World War II, Oppenheimer was offered the position of director of the Institute of Advanced Study. He moved to the East Coast to head the Institute in 1947 until 1966, a year before his death. This would also be where he met Einstein, his colleague at the time, played by Tom Conti in the film.
Despite collaborative ties, the IAS operates independently of Princeton University. That said, Oppenheimer was known to give public lectures at the prestigious university. This historical facility was included in the filming locations as Oppenheimer's former workplace.
The buildings are not open to the public, nor are there tours so as to preserve the work environment of the faculty and visiting scholars. However, the woods and grounds are open and enjoyed year-round by visitors. There are also public events throughout the year, from lectures by the Institute's scholars to the Edward T. Cone Concert Series.