Careers

If you're thinking about your next career move, Physics World Careers is an annual guide that offers valuable careers advice, insightful case studies showcasing possible career options, plus a comprehensive employer directory. And jobseekers with a background in science, technology, engineering or mathematics can explore all the latest opportunities on Physics World Jobs, a recruitment website from the publishers of Physics World.

Editor's choice

Karen Syres is a regular visitor to synchrotron facilities like BESSY II.

Shedding light on the interfaces

In it for the long run

Corey Gray on building and working at LIGO, inspiring the next generation of Indigenous physicists, and having a healthy work–life balance

Tips for a rewarding career in physics

Taking a closer look at the reality of life as a researcher

Space science and engineering: the journey starts here

University College London’s MSc in space science and engineering offers graduate physicists a unique opportunity

Going with the flow

Early-career industry physicist Aidan White on working as a project engineer at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory

Levelling the physics field

The Institute of Physics' Jennifer Dyer looks at initiatives to help improve the careers of women in physics

Multidisciplinary collaboration: the engine-room of opportunity

TTP’s multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers work with a diverse client base to invent, design and develop new products and technologies with lasting commercial impac...

Skills for start-ups

Physicist-for-hire Volker Türck shares his tips, experience and successes, when it comes to setting up a a scientific consultancy service

Physics World Jobs

Whether you’re still working out your career pathway or have a specific role in mind, we’re here to help. Bringing a diverse range of opportunities for jobseekers at all career stages, we’ll help you take the next step in your career and find the perfect job.

Spotlight on careers in medical physics

Working in medical physics: not your average career

Training a computer to hunt cancer

Medical physicist and entrepreneur Maryellen Giger on how she established the use of AI in breast cancer imaging

Medical physics: a broad spectrum of careers

Jude Dineley looks into the plethora of job options available to medical physicists around the world today

Working in medical physics: trainee clinical scientist

Elena Marimón Muñoz: The detector physicist

Toshiro Tsubouchi: Treating cancer with carbon ions

Warren Campbell: Radiotherapy resident

Amy McDowell: Improving MRI to help children with epilepsy

Heather Williams at the Christie Hospital

Working in medical physics: nuclear medicine

Career development: stand out from the crowd

Talent spotting: secrets for a successful job interview in industry

How much self-promotion is enough?

Dalmeet Singh Chawla delves into the pros and cons of self-citations, as well as the possible benefits of the s-index

How to write a good CV for industry

Andrew Hirst details what employers want to know from your CV and gives his top tips on how to tailor your CV to a specific role

Taking the long view

Despite talk of skills shortages, most graduates in scientific disciplines take jobs outside science. Patrick White and Emma Smith reflect on why this is and what it means for the ...

Students on a site visit to an industrial laboratory

Your pathway to industry

Your career questions answered

Diversity in the workplace

Careers newsletter

Sign up today for our brand new careers newsletter. Sent once every two months, the newsletter will bring together inspiring case studies, valuable careers advice, and information from leading employers you might be interested in working for. To sign up simply sign in to your account and tick the “Careers bimonthly” box.

Ask me anything: careers advice from top physicists

Ask me anything: Cather Simpson

Ask me anything: Chao-Yang Lu

Ask me anything: Carole Mundell

Ask me anything: Sarah Cruddas

Sarah Cruddas is a space journalist, TV host, author and director at Space for Humanity

Ask me anything: Chad Orzel

Condensed-matter physicist, blogger and author gives his advice to physics graduates

Ask me anything: Priyamvada Natarajan

The theoretical astrophysicist, professor and director of the Franke Program in Science and the Humanities at Yale University gives her advice to physics graduates

Ask me anything: Libby Jackson

Human exploration programme manager at the UK Space Agency gives her advice to physics graduates

Ask me anything: Sadik Hafizovic

The chief executive and founder of Zurich Instruments gives his advice to physics graduates

Ask me anything: Giulia Thompson

The head of system physics within global linac engineering at Elekta gives her advice to physics graduates

Training for your future

A photo of students at the University of Bristol

Master’s programme offers fast-track to nuclear industry

The Master’s route

A Master's degree in physics can open many doors, but is it the right step for your career? Alaina G Levine explores the options

Masters programme offers pathway to emerging nano-industry

Graduate students who are keen to pursue a career in the nanotechnology industry can now study for an MSc that offers a direct connection to the commercial sector

Physics World Careers

The 2020 edition of Physics World Careers is packed full of advice for early career scientists. Including a range of valuable advice, informative case studies and recruiter profiles, it demonstrates the variety of jobs that use a physics degree.