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/Twinson64 5d ago

I did a phd in applied optics and plasma physics. I ended up working in tech in the Bay Area as an optical engineer. It’s great.

My work in industry is very similar to what I did in graduate school. Lots of system simulations and lab work. Then data analysis in Matlab. Then help interdisciplinary team of engineers make the full product. Then launch the product with NPI engineers and solve the production issues. Then repeat for a new product or technology upgrade.

The only major difference from grad school research is it’s a product launch rather than a paper. And my success is measured in dollars rather than citations.

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u/RoundElephant5876 5d ago

That seems great! Is it required for you to be there or is any form of online work possible?

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u/Twinson64 5d ago edited 4d ago

Currently my work can be done from home ~90% of the time. Though in the past it was 80% in the lab. So it depends where you are in a project.

Though I’m required in the office 3 days a week.

Also note that career progression does require face time with management. Technically could be done online but it will hurt your career if you don’t interact in person. Often times the important conversations happen after the meeting in the hallway.

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u/RoundElephant5876 4d ago

Good to know, thank you!