Physicist Career Information

A branch of the physical sciences, physics is the study of energy and the behaviour of single atoms and their component pieces. Physicists consider themselves the most fundamental of scientists, for they are the ones who examine the basic laws of nature. They study what happens when atoms and subatomic particles break down and assemble how they react to collisions with each other.

Physicists use mathematics to understand, explain and predict their theories and equations. They often apply their theories to other fields like chemistry, biology, geophysics, engineering, communication, transportation, electronics and health.

Physicists work by determining the basic laws governing phenomena such as gravity, electromagnetism and nuclear interactions that lead to discoveries and innovations that advance nuclear energy, electronics, communications aerospace technology and medical instrumentation.

Physicists also study the properties and interactions of matter and energy in all their forms. Their interest may range from understanding fundamental physics to developing new technologies in applied physics. They test their observations against the present theories of physics and new hypotheses.

Classical physics refers to the science prevalent prior to the twentieth century. It begins right from the inventions and discoveries of scientists like Galileo and Newton. The studies are broadly classified under five headings, namely Mechanics, Heat and Thermodynamics, Sound, Electricity and Magnetism and Light.

Generally, although a physicist should have a broad background of all the five areas of physics, he/she specialises only in one of them. Geophysicists combine the knowledge of geology and physics.

Geophysics is used in the study of meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, seismology, radioactivity and magnetism.

Biophysicists study living organisms and life processes

Medical physicists play a vital role in the designing and use of electronic equipments for use in the medical sector

Astrophysicists design equipment for astronomical study and also interpret the research findings of astronomers, particularly in thermonuclear research related to space sciences.

A physicist can be either an experimentalist or a theoretician. Almost all have doctorates, which are essential for college and university teaching and research, upper level research positions in government and industry, and higher administrative positions.

Those with bachelor's degrees may work in applied research and development as research assistants or in design, administration or engineering.

Specialised areas for physicists are mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, heat, optics, acoustics, electricity and magnetism, electronics, nuclear physics, physics of fluids, solid state physics, or classical theoretical physics. Emerging areas of study for physicists are cryogenics, crystallography, and plasma physics.

Research in physical sciences is broad ranging and includes, for example, observations on how weather systems develop, laser physics and the production of anti-tumour drugs from marine organisms.

Job Opportunities

Physicists are employed in a wide range of fields from computing, patent law and in the financial field. They work for colleges, universities and schools, research centres and hospitals. Physicists even travel to conferences overseas to present research papers.

Useful experience for physicists includes work as a laboratory technician or engineering work.

To sum it up, Physicists work:

In industries, they conduct research for improved methods and technologies

In the communications industry, physicists work in sectors such as television, telephone and radio

In the petroleum industry, they are engaged in laboratory work for finding improved methods of processing crude oil

In the aerospace industry, physicists work on technological innovations

Physicists work with mathematical and statistical scientists and with engineers

Career Prospects

The outlook for physicists looks average, and employment numbers are likely to remain stable over the next two to three years. However, there are some good employment opportunities for physics graduates with Master's level qualifications, especially in research and development, product design and manufacturing.

Most physicists work in research and development in small or medium-sized laboratories. Many physicists are employed by government-funded research centres or private research companies. A small number also work in the area of information technology.

There is great scope in both industry and in the defense fields. For those academically inclined, there is plenty of scope for research and development. Elementary Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics, Atomic Physics, Molecular Physics, Physics of Condensed Matter, Optics, Acoustics, Plasma Physics and the Physics of fluids are some of the super specialisations with research possibilities.

Technology is important in research and development, and physicists are at the forefront of developing and using new technologies.

Many physicists have been able to use their skills to move into the information technology industry.