Atomic and molecular physicist
Atomic and molecular physicists are specialized scientists who focus on the study of atoms and molecules to understand how matter behaves in the universe. Their work primarily takes place in research settings, such as government laboratories and universities, although some find employment in private industries. Atomic physicists study isolated atoms and their interactions, while molecular physicists explore compounds made of multiple atoms, often investigating gaseous molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide. To become an atomic or molecular physicist, one typically needs to earn a PhD in physics, which includes advanced coursework and a dissertation, followed by postdoctoral research experience.
These physicists utilize sophisticated technologies and equipment in their research, including spectrometers and lasers, to analyze the properties of matter. Their findings can have significant implications for various fields, including medicine and environmental science. The employment outlook for physicists is promising, with a projected job growth rate of 5% for the coming years, and the median annual salary for physicists was $139,220 as of 2022. Networking through professional organizations can enhance career opportunities in this dynamic and essential field.
Atomic and molecular physicist
Earnings (Yearly Median): $139,220 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
Employment and Outlook: 5% (Faster than average) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
O*NET-SOC Code: 19-2012.00
Related Career Clusters: Health Science; Manufacturing; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Scope of Work
Atomic and molecular physicists mainly work in research positions for the government and for universities, but they are also employed by private companies and laboratories. Atomic physics and molecular physics are two specialized concentrations for physicists—scientists who study atoms and molecules and seek to explain how matter functions in the universe—and the two are closely related. Atomic physicists study isolated atoms and electrons, while molecular physicists work with molecules composed of more than one atom. Molecular physicists often work with gaseous molecules, such as oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
The main task of atomic and molecular physicists is to conduct research in a laboratory setting, performing experiments with atoms and molecules, and testing theories on the properties of matter. For example, an atomic physicist may develop a theory on the nature of atoms, how they interact with other atoms, and atom formation. Molecular physicists may apply the study of molecules to chemical interactions in the atmosphere and to important issues such as global warming.
Education and Coursework
A molecular or atomic physicist needs a PhD in physics in order to work in a research position for the government or a university. A bachelor’s degree will not qualify an individual for a research position, but it will qualify them for an assistant or technician position in a laboratory. A master’s degree in physics will open doors to developmental positions in private manufacturing companies and, more often than not, will set a path for a doctorate degree. Depending on the company, an individual with a master’s degree and ten or more years of experience in a laboratory setting may be qualified for a research position, but a PhD is strongly preferred.
PhD programs take five to seven years to complete. Students may concentrate in a sub-field of physics, such as molecular, atomic, chemical, or applied physics. To be successful in this program and in one’s subsequent career as a physicist, a candidate must have superior mathematical, analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, and critical-thinking skills. Course work includes advanced classes in mathematics and science, such as calculus, quantum chemistry and mechanics, physics, statistics, and thermodynamics. Computer courses are commonly required to develop the skills needed to operate laboratory equipment and specialized analytical and simulation software.
A PhD culminates in a dissertation, a professional thesis that makes a new contribution to a field of study. After completing the dissertation and earning a doctorate degree, an atomic or molecular physicist is obligated to pursue postdoctoral research. Postdoctoral positions offer recent PhDs the chance to gain experience in professional research labs and begin their careers as researchers in atomic and molecular physics. During their postdoctoral research, physicists work under the supervision of senior scientists for approximately two to three years.
Career Enhancement and Training
Atomic and molecular physicists do not have to be licensed but need a PhD and postdoctoral experience. To be employed by the US federal government, a physicist must be a US citizen. Depending on the nature of the physicist’s work—if he or she is involved in research for defense systems or military weapons, for example—the physicist may need a security clearance that allows access to classified military information.
Networking is an important tool for finding a desirable postdoctoral position in physics; joining an organization that supports the study of atomic or molecular physics can help physicists develop valuable connections with experienced professionals. The American Institute of Physics (AIP), for instance, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the physics industry. This organization connects over 100,000 scientists and working professionals. The AIP also publishes scholarly journals and magazines, making it one of the leaders in the field of physical science.
The American Physical Society (APS) is another useful organization, connecting nearly 50,000 professionals. The APS organizes programs to foster collaboration among researchers, educators, and scientists in the physics industry. This organization also offers undergraduate and graduate students a one-year free trial membership. Membership in the APS can help undergraduate and graduate students enhance their careers by exposing them to recent innovations in the physics industry, connecting them with working professionals, and augmenting their résumés. Being a member of the AIP, the APS, or any other professional organization shows an employer or a university admissions committee both commitment and dedication to the field.
Daily Tasks and Technology
The main task of an atomic or molecular physicist is to conduct research in a laboratory setting. From research based on experiments, physicists form theories on the nature and workings of atoms and molecules. This involves working with complex mathematics on a daily basis, such as using calculus to analyze the physical properties of matter.
Atomic and molecular physicists use a variety of technologies and equipment in the laboratory setting. A gas chromatograph, for example, is used to separate compounds via vaporization, which is the evaporation of a liquid. This allows researchers to identify and analyze a compound by isolating the different components of its molecules. Spectrometers and spectroscopes are used to measure electromagnetic waves, which include light, gamma rays, x-rays, and other forms of radiation. Various forms of laser technology are used in laboratories. A Ti:sapphire (titanium-doped sapphire) laser, for instance, emits infrared light that is used to examine molecules.
Most of an atomic or molecular physicist’s time is spent researching and conducting experiments, but these physicists also have important tasks outside of the laboratory. Writing proposals for research grants, for example, is vital for funding research. After completing an experiment in the lab, a physicist will write a scientific paper on his or her findings and attempt to have the articles published in a scholarly journal. Physicists also present their research at conferences and universities.
Earnings and Employment Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that from 2018 to 2028, employment of physicists and astronomers collectively will rise by 9 percent, a faster than average rate of job growth. In addition to being an important educational component of physics, research in atomic and molecular physics is essential for understanding matter at its most fundamental level. Consequently, research in this area will always play an important role within the scientific community.
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for all physicists was $128,330 in 2022. The lowest 10 percent earned below $65,390, and the highest 10 percent earned above $181,510. Salaries vary by employer, with physicists in the private sector and the federal government earning the most and those employed by state governments earning the least.
Related Occupations
Materials Scientists: Materials scientists study the properties of chemical substances and develop new types of technology. Nanotechnology, in particular, deals with matter at the molecular and atomic levels.
Chemists: A chemist is a scientist who researches the composition of molecules and their chemical properties.
Biophysicists:Biophysicists study the physical properties of living organisms.
Astrophysicists and Astronomers:Astrophysicists and astronomers study the universe, space, and matter. They also develop technology that helps them conduct research in these areas.
Biological Engineers: Biological engineers use the principles of biology, particularly molecular biology, to solve problems and create applications for living organisms.
Future Applications
The world is experiencing rapid growth in science and technology, and an investment in atoms and molecules—the building blocks of life—is essential to all scientific fields of study. Understanding more about atoms and molecules can help scientists understand more about humans and their environment.
Research conducted by atomic and molecular physicists could be applied to a myriad of different industries, products, and technologies in the future. For example, the study of atoms and molecules could be used to enhance medical technology. New laser technology could be used in intricate surgical procedures. In conjunction with accelerator physicists, atomic and molecular physicists could develop new beam-therapy techniques that could precisely target a malignant tumor, thereby decreasing damage to surrounding tissue and organs.
The study of molecules in the atmosphere could help monitor the progression of global warming, uncover the cause of damage to the ozone layer, and assess the future implications of climate change. Knowing more about the behavior of molecules in the atmosphere will allow scientists to understand the effects of pollution on the atmosphere and develop techniques that may help slow the progression of global warming.
Bibliography
"19-2012.00 – Physicists." O*NET Online, 29 Aug. 2023, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2012.00. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
"Physicists and Astronomers." Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physicists-and-astronomers.htm. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.