r/Physics • u/RoundElephant5876 • 6d ago

employed physicist

Those of you who have completed research physics and are currently working, how is it, what exactly do you do, are you satisfied, do you work inside your country (and if yes, which one) or abroad, online, how difficult was it for you to get your current job?

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u/StarterRabbit 5d ago

I have done an undergraduate degree with integrated masters in theoretical physics, then did a second master and integrated PhD in experimental solid state physics. I have never been distracted by other career paths so have been to able to focus on physics related jobs. I done 2 years of postdoc in broadly the same area as my PhD, and the secured a permanent contract within a national lab where I have been working in the past 9 years. My current job is supervising junior scientists, carrying out scientific services and consultancy with regional companies, as well as leading a small team to transfer knowledge asset to commercialisation. I enjoy it very much, it often doesn’t feel like work and it’s the reason I get out of bed and get into the lab every day. I used to be an avid gamer, and for some time now I enjoy my work more than my games, which is something I never thought I’d say.

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u/RoundElephant5876 5d ago

Hahaha that is funny to hear, Im glad you enjoy your work.

How tough was it to get to the position you are in today? Was love and interest for physics enough to get you where you are?

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u/StarterRabbit 5d ago

I was lucky when the job market wasn’t so toxic as now due to LLMs, out of the postdoc I did less than 20 applications, 5 interviews and got 2 offers, took this one due to alignment with personal interest in science and the permanent contract. Love for physics is definitely part of it, but I’d say 95% it’s luck, I was very fortunate to have a great team around me, supporting my growth, taking on more responsibilities and having the right ideas, right timing, right people to buy-in/get alignment with.

It’s certainly wasn’t easy, but I don’t think I could have done it any other way either, everything that I did no matter how little seemed to somehow click into place over the long game.