Physics Jobs
Physics jobs are open across national laboratories, defense contractors, semiconductors, research universities, and medical devices, from entry-level research associate to principal scientist and director of R&D, with specializations in condensed matter, optics, and computational physics. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position with expertise in lattice QCD. The successful applicant will contribute to an NSF-funded project helping the CosMoN/BaSc collaboration with its current projects, especially continuing efforts to adapt parts of its current software stack to GPU acceleration, so a candidate with expertise in GPU coding is strongly preferred. The initial appointment will be for one year starting in September 2026 or shortly after, with possible extensions for a second and third year.
LOCATION
Pittsburgh, Pa
OPEN DATE
Jun 10, 2026
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Physics by the time of appointment. Experience with lattice QCD computations is required, and some GPU software development experience is preferred.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications, including a curriculum vitae, publication list, and statement of research experience and interests, should be submitted through this Interfolio site. Candidates should also arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation uploaded to Interfolio.
Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position with expertise in lattice QCD. The successful applicant will contribute to an NSF-funded project helping the CosMoN/BaSc collaboration with its current projects, especially continuing efforts to adapt parts of its current software stack to GPU acceleration, so a candidate with expertise in GPU coding is strongly preferred. The initial appointment will be for one year starting in September 2026 or shortly after, with possible extensions for a second and third year.
LOCATION
Pittsburgh, Pa
OPEN DATE
Jun 10, 2026
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Physics by the time of appointment. Experience with lattice QCD computations is required, and some GPU software development experience is preferred.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications, including a curriculum vitae, publication list, and statement of research experience and interests, should be submitted through this Interfolio site. Candidates should also arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation uploaded to Interfolio.
Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.
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Find Physics JobsPhysics Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Rehab Employee Services1,082
- FOX Rehabilitation616
- Ivyrehab Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology, Pllc587
- CommonSpirit Health578
- Optum508
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services21,483
- Education4,405
- Consulting & Professional Services1,514
- Non-Profit & Social Services1,075
- Science & Research592
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physics jobs.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in physics, applied physics, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or equivalent scientific computing environments
- Experience with experimental design, data acquisition, and statistical analysis
- Familiarity with vacuum systems, optics, or RF instrumentation depending on specialty
- Ability to read and contribute to peer-reviewed literature or internal technical reports
- Active or eligible security clearance for defense and national laboratory positions
Tips for Your Physics Job Search
Quantify your experimental output explicitly
Physics resumes often list techniques without results. For each project, name the instrument or method you used, the measurement precision you achieved, and what decision or publication that data enabled. Hiring managers distinguish candidates who ran experiments from those who drove findings.
Tailor your application to the sector
A resume that works for a national lab will not land at a semiconductor company. Reframe the same research experience using the vocabulary of the target sector, whether that is yield improvement in fabs, algorithm performance in defense systems, or dose accuracy in medical physics roles.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists physics openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight software and simulation tools prominently
Many physics candidates bury MATLAB, Python, COMSOL, or ANSYS in a skills list at the bottom. Move computational tools into each job bullet where you used them. Employers in photonics, quantum, and defense scan for specific tools before reading descriptions.
Prepare a whiteboard-style problem walkthrough
Physics interviews at industry employers frequently include a derivation or order-of-magnitude estimation problem. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud as you work, not just reaching the answer. Interviewers are evaluating how you structure physical assumptions under time pressure.
Negotiate using published pay bands where available
Federal contractors and national laboratories often post pay scales in job announcements. Reference the published band for your experience level when negotiating. At private companies, cite the Bureau of Labor Statistics physicist and physicist-adjacent wage data for your metro area as an objective anchor.
Physics Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most physicists?
The companies hiring the most physicists right now include Rehab Employee Services, FOX Rehabilitation, and Ivyrehab Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology, Pllc, with the largest share of openings in Texas, California, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, and national laboratories consistently account for the largest volume of open roles.
How many physics jobs are remote?
About 3% of physics openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, though the share varies widely by specialty. Computational physics, data analysis, and simulation-focused roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, while experimental and instrumentation positions almost always require on-site work due to lab access requirements.
How do you become a physicist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in physics or applied physics, which qualifies you for research associate and lab technician roles at private companies and government agencies. For independent research or academic positions, a Ph.D. is the standard credential. Build practical skills in scientific computing and instrumentation during undergraduate lab courses and internships, then target sectors that align with your specialty.
How do you get hired as a physicist with little experience?
Focus on roles titled research associate, junior scientist, or physics analyst, which are specifically designed for candidates without extensive professional history. Emphasize coursework projects, thesis work, or undergraduate research as direct experience. Defense contractors and national laboratories offer internship pipelines that convert to full-time offers, and some semiconductor companies hire physics graduates directly into process engineering training programs.
What does the physics interview process look like?
Most physics interviews begin with a recruiter screen focused on your background and the role's technical requirements. A hiring manager conversation follows, covering your research experience and how you approach experimental or analytical problems. The final round typically includes a technical presentation of past work and one or more problem-solving exercises, such as a derivation, estimation question, or data interpretation task reviewed by the team.
Where can I find and apply to physics jobs?
You can find and apply to physics jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each one that fits.
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