Physics research outside academia?

[jamez_302]

Wondering if somebody could help me.

I'm in the 3rd year of a 4 year MPhys course and at the point where I am actively applying for placements/internships etc and thinking about what to do after university.

I love physics don't get me wrong, but really don't fancy staying at uni for another 3/4 years to do a Ph.D. However, I do want to have a career in research and development where physics is a major contribution. Are there any companies where I could get a research based career with just a MPhys degree? I'm interested mainly in nuclear, atomic, solid state, laser physics. I'm also expecting to get a 1st class degree when I graduate.

Thanks
James

 

[mfb]

Europe, or somewhere else where a MSc is common?
Many companies look for physicists for various research tasks. A PhD is rarely necessary, although experience in method X used by company Y can help a lot. Industrial research is more product-oriented, of course.

 

[DrClaude]

There is also the possibility of doing your Ph.D. in industry.

 

[jamez_302]

There is also the possibility of doing your Ph.D. in industry.

What sort of companies offer these if you know of any?

 

[symbolipoint]

There is also the possibility of doing your Ph.D. in industry.

WHAT? An industry or company that grants advanced degrees to students or employees?

 

[DrClaude]

WHAT? An industry or company that grants advanced degrees to students or employees?

No... Industrial Ph.D.s are granted by universities, but for research mostly done in industry. What happens most often is that one gets two supervisors, one at the university and the other at the company. It is not all that common yet, but in my corner of the world we are getting lots of incentive to do things like this, to bridge academia with industry.

What sort of companies offer these if you know of any?

They usually are big companies, with a substantial R&D department. Although I know some people working with a smaller company, doing numerical simulations (the expertise on the simulations comes from the university, but the problem is applied to the work of the company).

This kind of Ph.D. probably works best if you can find an existing link that a university researcher has with a company.

 

[symbolipoint]

No... Industrial Ph.D.s are granted by universities, but for research mostly done in industry. What happens most often is that one gets two supervisors, one at the university and the other at the company. It is not all that common yet, but in my corner of the world we are getting lots of incentive to do things like this, to bridge academia with industry.They usually are big companies, with a substantial R&D department. Although I know some people working with a smaller company, doing numerical simulations (the expertise on the simulations comes from the university, but the problem is applied to the work of the company).

This kind of Ph.D. probably works best if you can find an existing link that a university researcher has with a company.

Nice description and nice idea.