People
Editor's choice
The power of physics: what can a physicist do in the nuclear energy industry?
Six physicists in the nuclear energy industry talk about their career paths, and how a background in physics can be used across the sector
John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis win the 2025 Nobel Prize for Physics
Trio honoured for their work on quantum tunnelling in superconducting circuits
Careers in physics
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. Also, check out our handy, one-stop Jobs hub - offering articles, advice and links to useful resources. 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.
From ‘rewarding and exciting’ to ‘challenging and overwhelming’: what it means to have a career in intelligence and cyber security
Curiosity, problem-solving and resilience are the key qualities for a career in intelligence
From a laser lab to The Economist: physicist Jason Palmer on his move to journalism
This podcast explores a career in science writing and broadcasting
Building a career from a passion for science communication
Our podcast guest is Kirsty McGhee of the quantum software company Qruise
Jobs hub
Access the latest physics careers advice
Careers newsletter
Sign up today for our careers newsletter. Sent once every two months, the newsletter brings 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.
Education and outreach
Read article: How the slowest experiment in the world became a fast success
How the slowest experiment in the world became a fast success
Stefan Hutzler and Louise Bradley explain how they turned the famous pitch-drop experiment into an outreach activity
Read article: Quarter of UK physics departments face closure, finds IOP report
Quarter of UK physics departments face closure, finds IOP report
Survey of the heads of UK physics department finds most are expecting to drop courses
Read article: Errors in A-level physics papers could jeopardize student university admissions, Institute of Physics warns
Errors in A-level physics papers could jeopardize student university admissions, Institute of Physics warns
Concerns over physics students starting university expressed in letter from the IOP
Read article: ‘I left the school buzzing and on a high’
‘I left the school buzzing and on a high’
Colin White explains why doing schools outreach put him way outside his comfort zone
Read article: Illuminating light: a colourful physics book for children
Illuminating light: a colourful physics book for children
Sarah Tesh reviews Light: the Extraordinary Energy That Illuminates Our World by Jess Wade, illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo
Read article: Making science go boom: Big Manny’s outreach journey
Making science go boom: Big Manny’s outreach journey
Science communicator Emanual Wallace, aka Big Manny, talks about his outreach journey from social media to books and TV
Diversity and inclusion
Explore more in people
Read article: The top five physics Nobel prizes of the 21st century revealed
The top five physics Nobel prizes of the 21st century revealed
Matin Durrani counts down the five most signifiicant physics Nobels since 2000
Read article: Nobel prizes you’ve never heard of: how a Swedish inventor was honoured for a technology that nearly killed him
Nobel prizes you’ve never heard of: how a Swedish inventor was honoured for a technology that nearly killed him
Gustaf Dalén is nowhere near as famous as his contemporaries, but does that make him undeserving of the prize? Margaret Harris investigates
Read article: Training for the stars: Rosemary Coogan on becoming an astronaut
Training for the stars: Rosemary Coogan on becoming an astronaut
Inside the training, science and imagination that inspire ESA’s new generation of astronauts
Read article: Rainer Weiss: US gravitational-wave pioneer dies aged 92
Rainer Weiss: US gravitational-wave pioneer dies aged 92
Weiss was instrumental in the discovery of gravitational waves in 2015
Read article: William Phillips: why quantum physics is so ‘deliciously weird’
William Phillips: why quantum physics is so ‘deliciously weird’
The Nobel-prize-winning physicist William Phillips talks to Margaret Harris about his life and career
Read article: Cosmic chemistry: Ewine van Dishoeck shares her zeal for astrochemistry
Cosmic chemistry: Ewine van Dishoeck shares her zeal for astrochemistry
Our podcast guest is a Kavli Prize in Astrophysics laureate
Read article: Big data, big wins: how solar astrophysics can be a ‘game-changer’ in sports analytics
Big data, big wins: how solar astrophysics can be a ‘game-changer’ in sports analytics
Joe McEntee explores the surprising links between solar physics and sports science
Read article: Richard Muller: ‘Physics stays the same. What changes is how the president listens’
Richard Muller: ‘Physics stays the same. What changes is how the president listens’
Robert P Crease talks to Richard Muller, author of Physics for Future Presidents
Read article: IOP president-elect Michele Dougherty named next Astronomer Royal
IOP president-elect Michele Dougherty named next Astronomer Royal
Dougherty is the first woman to be appointed Astronomer Royal in the post's 350-year history
Read article: Third age careers for physicists: writing and the arts beckon
Third age careers for physicists: writing and the arts beckon
Our podcast guest is Michael Albrow, scientist emeritus at Fermilab
Read article: Ask me anything: Tom Driscoll – ‘It’s under-appreciated how difficult it is to communicate clearly’
Ask me anything: Tom Driscoll – ‘It’s under-appreciated how difficult it is to communicate clearly’
Careers advice from Tom Driscoll, founder and chief technology officer of US firm Echodyne
Read article: Norwegian-US Nobel laureate Ivar Giaever dies aged 96
Norwegian-US Nobel laureate Ivar Giaever dies aged 96
Giaever made pioneering progress in the late 1950s on electron tunnelling in superconductors
Read article: Unique minds: why accommodating neurodivergent scientists matters
Unique minds: why accommodating neurodivergent scientists matters
Making accommodations for neurodivergent scientists is the key to helping them, and science, thrive. Meagan Hough explains
Read article: United we stand: why physicists must quit their siloes
United we stand: why physicists must quit their siloes
Honor Powrie explains why the STEMM community needs to work together
Read article: Making science careers more accessible to people with disabilities
Making science careers more accessible to people with disabilities
This podcast features Francesca Doddato, co-author of “Towards a fully inclusive environment for disabled people in STEMM”
Read article: Ask me anything: Giulia Rubino – ‘My work involves continuously engaging a balance of creativity, critical thinking and curiosity’
Ask me anything: Giulia Rubino – ‘My work involves continuously engaging a balance of creativity, critical thinking and curiosity’
Giulia Rubino on how she explores the interface between quantum foundations and quantum technologies
Read article: Speak up: why your questions matter more than ever
Speak up: why your questions matter more than ever
Sarika Joshi highlights the importance of students asking questions to aid their learning
Read article: ‘Can’t get you out of my head’: using earworms to teach physics
‘Can’t get you out of my head’: using earworms to teach physics
Physics teacher Kate Urell uses catchy tunes to help her students remember their lessons
Related jobs
Related events
- Nuclear power | Conference Europe Nuclear Energy & SMR Conference (ENES 2025) 14—15 October 2025 | Prague, Czechia
- Medical physics | Virtual event Virtual International Day of Medical Physics 2025 7 November 2025
- Condensed matter | Workshop SCFS25 10—14 November 2025 | Dresden, Germany
Copyright © 2025 by IOP Publishing Ltd and individual contributors