Physicists
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
At a Glance
Physicists earns a median of $166,290/yr with +4.0% projected growth. Typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree. Top skills: Physics, Mathematical Reasoning, Mathematics.
$166,290/yr
+4.0%
2
Doctoral or professional degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (35)
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Knowledge (33)
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Abilities (52)
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Technology (73)
Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology
Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology
Category: Enterprise application integration software | Hot Technology
Category: Analytical or scientific software
Work Activities (41)
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Work Styles (21)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.
A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.
A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.
A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.
A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.
A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.
A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.
A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.
A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.
A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Software Developers
Computer and Mathematical · 216 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 216 shared skills
Computer Programmers
Computer and Mathematical · 214 shared skills
Computer Systems Analysts
Computer and Mathematical · 212 shared skills
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Computer and Mathematical · 212 shared skills
Computer User Support Specialists
Computer and Mathematical · 212 shared skills
Information Technology Project Managers
Computer and Mathematical · 211 shared skills
Computer Network Architects
Computer and Mathematical · 211 shared skills
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