What does a physicist do?
Physicists explain the effect of structures, phenomena, and forces on the natural world. Physicists determine and explore the primary principles governing the behavior and structure of matter. They study energy generation and transfer as well as the interaction between matter and energy. Their job involves the development of theories on the properties of matter, time, space, and energy. The position requires extensive research for technical papers and reports contributing to the industry. Physicians teach and lecture students on the laws associated with physics.
Physicist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real physicist resumes:
- Analyze large data sets using Matlab and compare the simulation results with the empirical data.
- Plan HDR, prostate seed, and IMRT treatments.
- Assist in commissioning of a Varian TrueBeam LINAC.
- Work with Tomotherapy HiArt, Varian 21EX and 21IX, and TrueBeam linear accelerators.
- Ensure safety of workers and the public by monitoring OSHA, ANSI, EPA, and other require regulations.
- Calibrate radiation machine used to treat cancer patients with radiation therapy.
- Perform the QA for the IGRT.
- Experience in VMAT, IGRT, and SBRT.
- Implement I'mRT MatriXX to perform VMAT IMRT QA.
- Purchase an HDR gammame 12it system.
- Experience with SRS patient specific QA.
- Eclipse commissioning for Varian iX and CL2100C.
- Work together with the main radiotherapist physicist to plan the radiotherapy treatment to the patients according to the doctor prescriptions.
- Initiate the introduction of a TLD-badge monitoring program for all radiology staff.
- Design of the experiment, fiber optic delivery system for a high-power tunable UV laser.
Physicist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Physicists are proficient in Patients, Radiology, and Oncology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Physicists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 14%
Calibrated radiation machine used to treat cancer patients with radiation therapy.
- Radiology, 9%
Prepared scanning protocols for customers as required for customer site accreditation by the American College of Radiology.
- Oncology, 9%
Specialized in performing and evaluating radiation shielding calculations for radiation oncology facilities under the guidance of a qualified health physicist.
- Radiation Safety, 6%
Conducted radiation safety training to medical personnel as their in-service requirement.
- Radiation Therapy, 6%
Reviewed documents and provided expert opinion on physical aspects of radiation physics and radiation therapy in legal cases.
- PET, 4%
Created fast, robust and fully automated calibration and diagnostic procedure for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system.
Most physicists use their skills in "patients," "radiology," and "oncology" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential physicist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Many physicist duties rely on communication skills. "physicists and astronomers present their research at conferences, to the public, and to others," so a physicist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways physicist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "project included oi, data collection, communication with 4 computers and a plc safety system. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for physicists to perform their duties. For an example of how physicist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "physicists and astronomers do calculations involving calculus, geometry, algebra, and other areas of math." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a physicist: "developed atomic-level, kinetic monte carlo 3d discrete lattice geometry software package for simulations of the kinetics of impurities in semiconductors. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain physicist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a physicist rely on this skill, as "physicists and astronomers use scientific observation and analysis, as well as creative thinking, to solve problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what physicists do: "assessed criticality safety issues for dimethyl sulfoxide dissolution & high explosive removal process and pantex zone & safety analysis report. "
The three companies that hire the most physicists are:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory23 physicists jobs
- INFICON9 physicists jobs
- ColdQuanta8 physicists jobs
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Compare different physicists
Physicist vs. Optical instrument specialist
Computational physicists are professionals who implement numerical analysis and physics functionals in solving problems. The physicists apply knowledge from different disciplines like mathematics, computer science, and statistics for a theory test. They prepare and issue management, technical, and administrative policies for the safety program of directorate radiation. Their job includes the scientific validation of atmospheric dispersion equations. Also, they conduct collection site simulations such as thermal transfer, effluent release, and radiometry.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between physicists and optical instrument specialist. For instance, physicist responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "radiology," "oncology," and "radiation safety." Whereas a optical instrument specialist is skilled in "fiber optic," "customer service," "schedule appointments," and "insurance benefits." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Optical instrument specialists tend to reach lower levels of education than physicists. In fact, optical instrument specialists are 25.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Physicist vs. Nuclear scientist
Each career also uses different skills, according to real physicist resumes. While physicist responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "radiology," "oncology," and "radiation safety," nuclear scientists use skills like "nuclear power," "emergency procedures," "ans," and "doe-hq."
Nuclear scientists earn lower levels of education than physicists in general. They're 8.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for physicists in the next 3-5 years?
Nicholas Mauro
Assistant Professor of Physics, Saint Norbert College
Physicist vs. Optical scientist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a physicist is likely to be skilled in "patients," "radiology," "oncology," and "radiation safety," while a typical optical scientist is skilled in "system design," "zemax," "optical design," and "prototyping."
Optical scientists typically earn similar educational levels compared to physicists. Specifically, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 9.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Physicist vs. Computational physicist
Types of physicist
Updated January 8, 2025
