Finding entry level jobs in physics in Europe, how to get started?

[kardalam]

Heya:)

I'm now 25 years old and working in a corporate job in London for almost a year after graduating with master in Electronic Engineering. However, what I want to do, what I always wanted to do is work in physics, specifically particle, quantum physics.

Over the years tho, for different reason I drifted away from it and now I realize the job I have is a great now, just it's not for me, I'm not happy with it. Hence, I want to give it a try and search for any entry level position in Europe in which I can do something related to physics, I feel if I don't try and make the move now, I never will.

It is however quite daunting and I have no idea where to start. I have pretty good understanding of fundamental physics principals since I did a lot on my own during university, and really put my all into learning something new when I am really interested in it, and I am quite adaptive as well. My dream would be Cern but I can't apply for their junior positions since I'm not from a Cern Associate Member country.

I'm originally from Macedonia, lived in UK for 6 years and in US for 1 year but I only have Macedonian passport. My degree however is from UK as well as all my work experience, so not sure if that helps. But anyways, I am open to any other place as long as it's in Europe.

Do you have any suggestions on where to get started looking? Is it realistic looking for this kind of positions without PhD or previous physics work experience? Which labs/research centers/universities would be most likely to accept entry level applicants? Long story short, am I mad trying to do this now and even if yes, how do I get started looking for something?

All help is hugely, greatly appreciated.
Marija

 

[Vanadium 50]

Is it realistic looking for this kind of positions without PhD or previous physics work experience?

No.

You might be able to get a job as an engineer supporting these experiments.

 

[f95toli]

What type of EE do you do?
Many areas of experimental physics involve a fair amount of EE and in some bigger projects this does mean that research groups end up hiring EEs to work on specific problems.

There is currently a lot of money for quantum technology in the UK and much of it is focused on applications. This means that even some academic groups are how hiring engineers to help transition from lab-type experiments to real-world applications. There are also a number of start-ups and SMEs that are hiring.

FPGA programming and/microwave engineering would be good skills to have.

Another option would be to do a PhD. There are at least a couple of quantum engineering CDTs that are accepting engineers.