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Research physicist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Marc Favata,

Dr. Adam Hauser

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research physicist skills. We ranked the top skills for research physicists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.2% of research physicist resumes contained data analysis as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research physicist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research physicist skills for your resume and career

1. Data Analysis

Here's how research physicists use data analysis:

Experience with experimental spectroscopy including calibration, instrument design and fielding, data analysis -Experience with computer programming.
Contributed key ideas towards development of experiments for model validation in addition to data analysis.

2. Laser

The laser is a device that stimulates atoms to produce light and then directs it into a narrow path producing an intense beam of light.

Here's how research physicists use laser:

Researched, designed, and tested PCF amplifier systems for DoD High Energy Laser program.
Fabricated holographic heads-up display elements and a prototype dual mode MOD FLIR/CO2 laser rangefinder.

3. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how research physicists use python:

Optimized Python controlling programs of the integrated optical and electrical setup to make measurements more automatically with less manual operations.
Followed lab protocols established to care for 15 ball python specimens under experimentally controlled conditions prior to sacrifice.

4. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how research physicists use data collection:

Managed multiple research and development projects involving human subject data collection, requiring compliance with HIPPA and Institutional Review Board regulations.
Conducted data collection on exposed and unexposed populations through video recordings and behavioral surveys of subjects in a psychotropic state.

5. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how research physicists use technical reports:

Participated in meetings with academic as well as industry personnel, prepared technical reports, presentations and reviewed and recommended design changes
Document findings by technical reports and peer-review journal papers, and communicate through organization by oral presentation.

6. RF

Here's how research physicists use rf:

Monitored RF depositions of TCO layers finding that controlled target power offered better optical transmission stability compared to controlled deposition rate.
Developed novel next-generation GaN-based devices for power electronics and RF applications.

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7. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how research physicists use dod:

Planned, executed and managed various battery R&D projects sponsored by NASA, DOD and DOE.
Managed a technical team developing two CC Protection Profiles based on existing DoD security classes (Orange Book - C2/B1).

8. Fortran

Fortran is a programming language used for numeric and scientific computing. The general-purpose language was originally developed by IBM for scientific and engineering applications.

Here's how research physicists use fortran:

Developed a computer model for the spatial examination of electric power distribution capabilities, with FORTRAN, SAS and Surfer.
Applied transmission line theory to develop a FORTRAN program to simulate radiation affects and predict missile trajectory anomalies.

9. Calculation

Here's how research physicists use calculation:

Performed radiation transport calculations (GEANT4 and self-written codes).
Completed scientific calculations to address performance and safety of company products.

10. Data Acquisition

Data acquisition involves getting real-time values and digital, numerical representations of everyday activities and physical conditions. These values can be altered and manipulated by a computer to get accurate results that can be used to solve problems, answer questions, or reapplied into everyday activities.

Here's how research physicists use data acquisition:

Involved in wide range of analogue/digital designs including developing converter circuits, signal conditioners and IBM PC based data acquisition systems.
Developed and installed custom data acquisition systems including hardware and software to monitor mechanical presses from remote locations via modem.

11. Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that tells us about the composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds. The processes these elements undergo and how they undergo change all come under the branch of chemistry.

Here's how research physicists use chemistry:

Reviewed literature, designed synthetic procedures, and conducted experiments in synthetic and medicinal chemistry at University of Mumbai, India.
Served as teaching assistant and laboratory instructor for a newly created course in inorganic chemistry for senior level chemistry majors.

12. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how research physicists use r:

Conducted longitudinal data analysis, logistic regression data analysis and linear regression analysis for the biological experiments using R and SAS.
Developed a data extract validation application utilizing R that incorporates XML files to dynamically generate SQL statements for data reconciliation.

13. PI

PI is the execution of all research's components such as preparation, conduction, and administration.

Here's how research physicists use pi:

Generate data analysis report and manuscript preparation by extensive literature review, and assisting the Lead PI for manuscript preparation.
Transcribed open-ended interviews collected by the PI for use in a qualitative study on feminist identification among undergraduate women.

14. Visualization

Here's how research physicists use visualization:

Designed and developed interactive visualization applications to facilitate visual analysis of research data on RNA folding patterns.
Designed software for the efficient visualization and analysis of EHG data for predicting the fetal presentation

15. Experimental Design

Experimental design is the process of researching in an objective and controlled manner to maximize precision and draw specific conclusions about a hypothesis statement. It is a concept used to efficiently organize, conduct, and interpret the results of experiments to ensure that as much useful information as possible is obtained by conducting a small number of trials. This minimizes the effects of the variables to increase the reliability of the results.

Here's how research physicists use experimental design:

Provided consultation on measurement methodology for University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics such as data collection and experimental design methods.
Assisted in experimental design, ran experiments, and collected and analyzed data in a research lab specializing in cognitive psychology

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What skills help Research Physicists find jobs?

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What research physicist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Marc Favata

Professor of Physics, Website

For industry positions that regularly consider physics majors, programming skills will continue to be an important qualification. Familiarity with machine learning and other AI techniques will increasingly be an asset. As always, strong writing, presentation, and people skills are essential.

What type of skills will young research physicists need?

Dr. Adam Hauser

Assistant Professor, Vice Chair of Undergraduate Studies, and A&S Leadership Board Faculty Fellow, The University of Alabama

Technical skills are essential. The skills that I would remind young job seekers not to forget are those our parents taught us and that we should be refining and learning to wield independently during our time in the university system. Communication and collaboration are essential, of course. Still, these are guided by more basic principles: Empathy, fair play, care and respect of others, and taking a genuine interest in the success and happiness of those around you. When a person practices these principles, as a matter of course, it shines through and creates a happier work environment for everyone - yourself included.

What soft skills should all research physicists possess?

Shiri Noy Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Denison University

I am not particularly fond of the term "soft skills" since it's often gendered and I think in a lot of ways is not easily distinguishable from so-called "hard" or technical skills. However, I think that what people mean when they talk about soft skills is deeply important: communication, time management, organization, teamwork, approaches to problem-solving, etc. This affects not just how effectively you can use your "hard" skills, but also about communicating your work and ideas to your peers and supervisors. What good is technical knowledge if you don't know how to approach a problem critically, from diverse vantages, and while being open to feedback and others' ideas when you hit a dead end? In this way, and especially in today's world, I think patience and communication are key. With a liberal arts education our Denison University students are used to having to approach a topic from different lenses and perspectives, and work and learn from diverse peers, Professors, and community members. In this way, they have experience with clearly communicating their ideas but also with different ways of thinking about and approaching both practical and theoretical problems. No one will know every technology, system, and skill they will encounter in their first job, so what's most important is knowing how to learn--this means knowing yourself but also knowing how to ask for help, communicate challenges, and be willing to adapt!

Do you want to know more?

List of research physicist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a research physicist resume and required skills for a research physicist to have include:

Data Analysis
Laser
Python
Data Collection
Technical Reports
RF
DOD
Fortran
Calculation

Data Acquisition
Chemistry
R
PI
Visualization
Experimental Design
NMR
LabVIEW
Algorithm Development

MRI
Journal Articles
Nanoparticles
C++
LiDAR
Analysis Software
Electrical Properties
Remote Sensing

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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