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Build a career in physics
This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the physics sector.
A physics degree will lead to a set of versatile skills that are likely to be sought by a range of employers across different sectors.
Your degree will have explored fundamental scientific theories - alongside this knowledge you will have looked at applications of new technologies to solve complex problems; enhanced mathematical, analytical, communicational and computational abilities; and carried out industry-based projects under the supervision of leading physicists.
This knowledge, experience and set of skills are in high demand in sectors such as financial services, aerospace development, defence solutions, telecommunication, engineering and many more. There is also scope to pursue postgraduate study or further research.
Potential Job Roles
Prospects has a useful list of job profiles, each containing relevant information about key responsibilities, skill requirements, starting salaries, entry requirements, career prospects with links to major employers and current graduate vacancies. Some roles include:
Professional Qualifications
A professional qualification is not always required to pursue a physics-related career, particularly in industries such as data science, software development, engineering, and renewable energy, where an undergraduate degree and relevant skills may be sufficient. However, careers as a research or academic physicist typically require further study, usually a Master's degree and often a PhD. Professional accreditations, such as Chartered Physicist (CPhys) status in the UK, can enhance career progression but are generally not mandatory for employment.
Gaining Experience
When applying to graduate roles or further study opportunities, being able to offer relevant examples of work experience will greatly enhance your chances of success.
Engaging in any opportunities available to you will boost your future applications. Options include undertaking an industrial placement as part of your degree, getting involved with specialist groups and membership to professional institutions, such as the Institute of Physics. You can also gain transferable skills, such as teamwork, leadership and communication skills through part-time work.
Overall, the key to success when looking to gain experience is to prepare thoroughly, carry out research and to organise your placement, internship or volunteering opportunity in good time.
Types of Opportunities
Below are some examples of the different types of opportunities to gain experience while you study.
As part of your degree programme you may have the opportunity to take part in a salaried placement year, either in the UK or overseas to gain proven industrial experience by the time you graduate. This will provide you with an invaluable insight into working life and offer a unique opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you are learning as part of your studies.
Placements will also enable you to gain transferable skills in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork and time management, in addition to finding out more about a specific job role or industry, which will lead to more informed decisions upon graduating. To find out more about the range of different companies and roles students in your area have previously worked with, please find out more on the placements webpage.
To find out more about sourcing and arranging your placement, we would encourage you to get in contact with your placement team.
An internship is usually a work experience opportunity that is offered for a fixed period or a limited amount of time. Internships tend to be undertaken by students and graduates who are looking to gain more relevant/industry specific skills and experience in their particular field.
These opportunities can be paid for a period of between one to four months and typically take place over the summer, with closing dates generally around January to March, but some can be earlier.
Getting involved in volunteering gives you the opportunity to develop employability skills and experience a variety of working environments. It also provides the chance to network, meet new friends and boost your confidence.
Volunteering also enables you to gain practical experience and working examples to support your graduate applications. If you choose to commit a significant amount of time and impress the organisation during your volunteering, they may also provide you with a professional reference.
Volunteer to gain practical experience
Approaching local organisations, charities or community groups who would benefit from your skills is one way of gaining that all-important experience. The competencies developed will be invaluable and enhance any speculative applications you make.
The Careers and Employability Service offers current students and graduates access to a Virtual Volunteering Bank, which provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies. Similarly, you can access these opportunities through the paper-based bank located in the Careers and Employability Centre.
Examples of roles previously advertised and recruited by the Volunteering Team that may be of interest to maths students and graduates include:
- STEM Ambassador with STEM Learning - acting as an ambassador of your subject area to inspire children and young people and demonstrate the possibilities of STEM subjects and careers by delivering workshops and/or activities within schools or local organisations.
- Higher Education Mentor with Brightside - communicating with mentees online through a dedicated mentoring platform to share resources, information and activities to help to raise aspirations and encourage young people to consider their education and career options.
- Funding Researcher with Portsmouth Foodbank - researching potential funding streams and compiling a report of the findings to present to the board of trustees with advice and suggestions on suitable opportunities to explore and apply for.
- Home Safety Advisor with Hampshire Fire and Rescue - acting as a representative to deliver information to fellow students and members of the community to enhance safety and tackle issues or concerns.
- Mobility Aids Spoke with the British Red Cross - dealing with wheelchair requests, entering details on a database and enabling people to return to their homes after an illness or surgery.
Be proactive and try to gather inspiration and ideas from the world around you: join creative clusters and attend networking events. This is a great way to meet people working in the creative industries and will help you with your networking skills. LinkedIn is a useful platform to network with sector employers.
You can also speak to your tutors about potential contacts and opportunities for work experience over the Easter period or summer vacation.
Where to find work experience opportunities
There are plenty of ways to find work experience in physics. Some key online platforms include:
Getting the most out of work experience
Whether you already have a career path in mind or are still exploring your options, our work experience pages guide you to finding opportunities that match your interests and goals. You'll find advice on choosing an industry, broadening your search, and standing out while building valuable skills and experience.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Finding a Job
There will be a range of potential employers interested in physics graduates, including academic institutions, industry and/or government research organisations.
The variety of skills you have developed as a physics graduate, will provide you with a fantastic platform from which to enter a range of interesting sectors.
Which sectors employ physics graduates?
We recommend starting your search using our online jobs board, MyCareer. You can also find general online job boards and advice through our Graduate Jobs page.
Job Boards for physics
Notable graduate employers
There will be a range of potential employers interested in physics graduates, including academic institutions, industry and/or government research organisations. Some notable ones are included below:
Recruitment agencies
Recruitment consultants work with individuals to help them find suitable work to match their skills. Agency Central is the UK's leading recruitment agency directory. An advanced search and filter system finds the agencies which match your needs.
- STEM Recruitment - A recruitment agency that support students and graduates from science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
- STEM Recruitment Solutions - An independent consultancy for the scientific, technology, engineering and manufacturing industries.
- Graduate Recruitment Bureau - a specialist recruitment agency placing graduates into relevant opportunities. They work with graduate recruiters across sectors, including some of the UK’s fastest growing companies.
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Working for yourself
Got an idea you'd like to turn into something bigger?
Whether you're planning a business, side hustle or freelance career, our Student StartUp team can help you build your confidence and develop your plans. Access expert guidance, funding opportunities, workshops and workspace designed to help you move your idea forward.
Keep up-to-date with the industry
SEPnet - the South East Physics Network - also provides helpful resources to support you in exploring potential careers with your Physics degree. Take a look at their A-Z list of careers open to Physics graduates.
As part of your job-hunting strategy you will need to keep up to date on areas of employment where a physics degree could be useful. Below are some key resources to help you research the opportunities available. The knowledge gained through your research may help you to explore career options, target your job applications and prepare for interviews.
We also have a dedicated guide to researching an employer.
- Prospects - Careers website which provides an overview of what to do with a maths degree, job vacancy information and careers advice.
- Targetjobs - An overview of career areas with a physics degree.
- All About Careers - All About Careers provides some useful tips, advice and tools to help you explore what to do with a physics degree.
- The Institute of Physics - Offers information on the next steps for physics graduates.
- Diamond - the Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility provides employees with the opportunity to develop either engineering-focused or scientific-focused careers.
- Met Office - the UK’s national weather service offers a range of graduate opportunities across science, engineering, technology and IT and forecasting and observations.
- Office for National Statistics - The Office for National Statistics is responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the UK's economy, population and society and offers a range of graduate opportunities.
- Wellcome- a two year graduate development programme, offering the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in a range of areas, including funding, policy, investments, public engagement, communications and operations.
- DSTL- the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory offers a variety of graduate roles, including its Graduate Development Programme.
- E.ON - one of the UK's leading energy providers, has a range of opportunities looking at pioneering energy solutions and digital products for its customers.
- Experian - Experian Decision Analytics provides credit risk and fraud management consulting services and products; offering the potential for a range career opportunities.
Explore more from the Careers Service
CVs, portfolios and cover letters
Find out how to increase your chances of getting an interview by writing a strong CV and completing a successful application.
Building work experience
Get hands-on industry experience and showcase your knowledge before you graduate!
Graduate job search guide
Learn about the types of roles you will encounter, and how to search for roles.
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