Australian GovernmentStudy Australia

Physicists (including Astronomers)


Physicists (including Astronomers) study matter, space, time, energy, forces and fields and the interrelationship between these physical phenomena to further understand the laws governing the behaviour of the universe, and seek to apply these laws to solve practical problems and discover new information about the earth and the universe.

What the job involves

  • Develops analytical methodologies and techniques to investigate the structure and properties of matter, the relationships between matter and energy, and other physical phenomena

  • Tests the reliability of these methodologies and techniques by performing tests and experiments under various conditions

  • Prepares scientific papers and reports, or supervises their preparation

  • Supervises and co-ordinates the work of technicians and technologists

  • May specialise in one or more branches of physics such as electrical, luminescent, mechanical, magnetic, radioactive, molecular, nuclear, ionospheric, atmospheric physics and signal analysis