Physics Jobs in Pennsylvania
Physics jobs in Pennsylvania are concentrated in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the State College area, where anchor institutions like Penn Medicine, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division maintain lasting demand for research, applied, and defense-oriented physicists. The strongest hiring is in condensed matter, nuclear and radiation physics, and computational modeling, with openings at every level from postdoctoral researcher to senior staff scientist. Pennsylvania's combination of major research universities, federal defense contracts, and healthcare systems makes it one of the more active markets in the Northeast for physics professionals. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Physics JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Physics jobs
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- The successful candidate is expected to teach undergraduate Physics courses.
- Minimum qualifications include a PhD degree in physics or a closely related field, and relevant experience.
- Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume at the time of application.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- The successful candidate is expected to teach undergraduate Physics courses.
- Minimum qualifications include a PhD degree in physics or a closely related field, and relevant experience.
- Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume at the time of application.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See All 7 Physics Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physics JobsPhysics Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Physics Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physics jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Bachelor's degree in physics or closely related field required for most entry-level Pennsylvania roles
- Master's or doctoral degree preferred for research, national lab, and defense contractor positions
- Proficiency in computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, or simulation software commonly required
- Experience with laboratory instrumentation, data acquisition, or experimental design strongly preferred
- Active or obtainable U.S. security clearance required for many Pennsylvania defense and naval contractor roles
- Strong written and verbal communication skills expected for roles involving grants, publications, or client reporting
Physics Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a physics in Pennsylvania?
Physics is not a state-licensed profession in Pennsylvania, so there is no required state board exam or registration. Most employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in physics or a closely related science, while research and advanced technical roles at universities, national labs, or defense contractors typically require a master's or doctoral degree. Candidates pursuing defense-sector work at Pennsylvania facilities should also plan for the federal security clearance process early.
Which companies hire physicss in Pennsylvania?
Companies currently hiring physicss in Pennsylvania include The AP Academy, TE Connectivity, and Moravian University, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's mix of research universities, defense contractors tied to the naval and Army installations in the region, and large academic medical systems keeps demand across multiple physics specialties fairly consistent throughout the year.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most physics jobs?
Bethlehem, Harrisburg, and Middletown are the Pennsylvania cities with the most physics openings. Philadelphia leads because of its density of research universities, academic medical centers, and pharmaceutical research operations, Pittsburgh draws heavily from Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh research ecosystem, and State College activity is anchored by Penn State's large physics and materials science programs and associated industry partnerships.
Are there remote physics jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're rare. Most physics roles require hands-on laboratory work, instrument operation, or on-site collaboration, which limits full remote arrangements. About 100% of physics openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in computational physics, data analysis, or scientific software development where the core work happens at a computer rather than a bench or facility.
How can I get hired as a physics in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through undergraduate research assistantships or co-op programs at Pennsylvania institutions like Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, or Drexel, which regularly place students with defense contractors and research labs. Look for titles like junior physicist, research associate, or laboratory technician as lateral entry points. Building a portfolio of computational projects or experimental lab work and obtaining any relevant safety certifications strengthens a new candidate's profile considerably for Pennsylvania employers.
Where can I find and apply to physics jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to physics jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and experience level, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 7 Physics Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physics Jobs