The Physics Department has offered tenured posts to two high energy physicists, one of whom would be the first-ever woman senior faculty member in the department, officials said yesterday.

Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences Melissa Franklin and Fermi Institute staff scientist John E. Huth were notified yesterday morning that Harvard had extended them lifetime positions.

If she accepts the offer, Franklin will be the first woman ever promoted to tenure from within the department, according to Senior Lecturer on Physics Margaret E. Law.

Department chair Howard M. Georgi '68 said yesterday that he and his colleagues were very pleased that both appointments had been approved by the president, and said he hoped the scholars will accept the offer.

"I expect these people will eventually be the leaders in the field," he said. "We are excited about themcoming. We've had a very great tradition in thisfield."

Franklin and Huth have worked together at theFermi Institute on a number of projects involvingthe Colliding Detector at Fermi, the Institute'sparticle accelerator. They met in 1981, working asgraduate students at the Stanford LinearAccelerator.

Both professors are involved in the search forthe sixth quark--sometimes called the "topquark"--thought by many physicists to be the finalundiscovered part of the atom.

Franklin, who is in her mid-thirties, calledthe chances of her accepting the offer "prettyhigh" yesterday.

Huth said last night that the offer "lookedpretty good.

"It's a very attractive offer, and I think thechances are fairly good that I'll take it," hesaid."

He said that his decision will be based on whatkind of program he can put together with Franklinand other members of the Physics Department.

The scientist also said he would like to becomemore familiar with Harvard before making up hismind, since he had not spent much time inCambridge outside of a few visits and guestlectures.

Huth said that he holds the Harvard Physicsfaculty in "high esteem."

"It has one of the best reputations of theuniversities in this country," he said.

Another draw, he said, would be Franklin'spresence at Harvard, if she accepts. "She'sextremely intelligent, is a hard worker, andbrings a tremendous amount of passion to herwork," he said.

Both must now undergo formal negotiations withDean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles beforesigning a formal contract.