Physics : Job Prospects & Career Options

Pin It

Physics being the fundamental for all scientific inventions, Physicists can find employment in an extensive range of areas, both within and outside the discipline. Physics based careers include that of medical physicist, research scientist, scientific laboratory technician, radiation protection adviser, the armed forces and defence industry. Physics graduates also find employment in academic institutions, and government research organisations as well as industries such as aerospace, engineering, manufacturing, oil and gas, space exploration and telecommunications.

Physics plays an integral role in the development of new medical technologies, medicines and procedures. Hence, Medical physicists are employed in hospitals and departments of medical research. This field also need radiation advisor who can calculate radiation doses for cancer treatment for which Medical physicists are appointed. Astrophysics being a field in Physics, those with specialization in the field can get employment in observatories. Research positions are open in ISRO, Institute of Physics ( IOP ), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) , Physical Research Laboratory ( PRL ) and various laboratories.

In the financial sector, Physics graduates are required for quantitative research and developing models for financial analysis. Those with Ph.D or NET can take up teaching positions in schools, colleges and universities. Outside science, the area presenting the most vacancies for physicists is Information Technology. Individuals with computer science training with physics background can work in specialized professions such as computer programming, aircraft design in defence sector. Physics people can work on electronic materials for leading integrated-circuit manufacturers, semiconductor providers or electronics companies. Nanotechnology is a promising and emerging field which always looks for personnel with physics background. This field promises jobs and research positions of various specialized people in the subject area of Physics.

Career Avenues

Astrophysics- Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior. Subspecialties include spectroscopy, photometry, cosmology etc.

Biophysics-Biophysics is aninterdisciplinary science that uses the methods of, and theories from, physical science to study biological systems.

Fluid physics-Fluid Physics is the Study of behavior of fluids (gas, liquid and plasma) in motion. Fluid physics is very much important to understand, control, and improves all of our industrial as well as natural processes.

Optical Physics- The branch of physics that deals with light and vision, chiefly the generation, propagation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths greater than x-rays and shorter than microwaves.

Geophysics -Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. Geophysicists generally work on seismic surveys, and carry out physical analyses of oil fields and wells. It encompasses fields like seismology, hydrology, atmospherics, hydrology etc. Know more

Material Science -Material physics is the use of physics to describe materials in many different ways such as force, heat, light and mechanics. It is a synthesis of physical sciences such as chemistry, solid mechanics and solid state physics.

Medical Physics- It is application of physics concepts, theories and methods to medicine. The contribution of physics have an increasing impact on medicine. Medical Physics Services will contribute to maintaining and improving the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services through patient-oriented activities. eg. radiology, magnetic resonance, nuclear ultrasound etc.

Molecular Physics- Molecular physics is the study of the physical properties of molecules, the chemical bonds between atoms as well as the molecular dynamics. It deals with behavior and structure of molecules and the chemical bonds between the atoms which bind them The field is closely related to atomic physics.

Nuclear Physics-Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the constituents and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology. Other than these the field has wide range of applications in Nuclear Medicine, in Material Engineering for Ion implementation, and in archaeology for radiocarbon dating.

Plasma Physics- It is a field of physics which deals with matter in its plasma phase. Plasma physics is a fundamental subject which covers the areas such as astrophysics, space physics, gas discharge.

Engineering Physics- Suitable option for those who have a strong interest in physics and aptitude in science and engineering. Engineering physics graduates have employment opportunities with government organisations such as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), and National Physical Laboratory apart from teaching profession.