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Phd In Physics Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering * 5+ years of experience * Ability to communicate effectively with excellent oral and written skills. * Ability to learn ...

Technical SETA - STO

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$100K - $230K/yr

PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering * 5+ years of experience * Ability to communicate effectively with excellent oral and written skills. * Ability to learn ...

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Phd In Physics information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$11.4K

$63.2K

$97.7K

How much do phd in physics jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd in physics in Silver Spring, MD is $63,226.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,600.00 and $66,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD in Physics?

A PhD in Physics is the highest academic degree awarded in the field of physics. It involves several years of advanced coursework, independent research, and the completion of a dissertation that contributes original knowledge to the field. Earning a PhD prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, industry, and government, where they can apply their deep understanding of physical principles to solve complex problems. The process typically takes 4-6 years beyond a bachelor's or master's degree.

What are the common career paths available to someone with a PhD in Physics outside of academia?

A PhD in Physics opens doors to a wide range of career paths beyond academia, including roles in industry research and development, data science, finance, technology consulting, and government or national laboratories. Many physicists find rewarding careers in sectors like aerospace, energy, and healthcare, leveraging their problem-solving and analytical skills. Collaboration is often key, as you'll work with interdisciplinary teams of engineers, data analysts, and project managers. Transitioning into these roles may involve learning new tools or adapting to different team structures, but the foundational skills from your PhD are highly valued.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD in Physics, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD in Physics, you need advanced knowledge of physical theories, strong analytical skills, and experience in research methodologies, typically supported by a doctoral degree in physics or a related field. Proficiency with data analysis tools (such as MATLAB or Python), laboratory equipment, and scientific publishing systems is commonly required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for presenting complex ideas and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are essential for conducting impactful research, advancing scientific understanding, and succeeding in academic or industry settings.

What is the difference between Phd In Physics vs Physicist?

AspectPhd In PhysicsPhysicist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree in PhysicsTypically a PhD in Physics or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, academiaResearch institutions, industry, academia
Industry UsageAcademic and research-focused rolesResearch, development, applied physics roles
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic qualificationsCareer options and job roles

In summary, a Phd In Physics is an academic qualification, while a Physicist is a professional working in research or industry. The Phd is necessary to become a Physicist, but not all Physicists hold a PhD. The roles often overlap in research environments, but the PhD emphasizes education, whereas Physicist roles focus on applying physics principles.

What are popular job titles related to Phd In Physics jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Phd In Physics jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Phd In Physics jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Phd In Physics jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Phd In Physics jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Phd In Physics job openings:
Infographic showing various Phd In Physics job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,226 per year, or $30.4 per hour.
2026 PhD Graduate - Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

2026 PhD Graduate - Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD โ€ข On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Description

Do you enjoy exploring and analyzing data to find data-driven solution to complex problems?

Do you want to contribute to work that is crucial to maintaining our national security and strength?

Are you continuously searching for new ways to grow your knowledge and improve your skills?

If you are graduating with a PhD in Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field, we would love to have you join our team! We are seeking a new PhD graduate with expertise in machine learning to support multi-disciplinary teams performing a variety of quantitative tasks for defense and national security applications. You will be joining a varied team of engineers, software developers, statisticians, data scientists, and analysts who are committed to advancing the state-of-the-art in performance evaluation of the nation's strategic weapons systems throughout their lifecycle. We believe in continually growing our capabilities and cultivating a work environment that embraces innovation, integrity, trust, and teamwork.

As a member of our team, you will...

  • Work with multi-disciplinary teams to support development of data collection, processing, and analysis efforts to assess the performance of a number of systems supporting the Navy and Air Force.
  • Contribute to the full research and development lifecycle for emerging problems. This includes model and algorithm selection, experimentation, analysis, and presentation of results.
  • Apply appropriate statistical and machine learning expertise towards selecting modeling approaches for complex, real-world data.
  • Use internal funding opportunities to shape the direction of future research.
  • Communicate technical knowledge by articulating ideas clearly through papers and presentations to technical staff, management, and government decision makers.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

  • Have a PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field.
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and on a team.
  • Have a solid understanding of the mathematical foundations of ML, including probability, statistics, and linear algebra.
  • Have experience using modern AI/ML libraries or frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar), with including adapting or extending methods for domain-specific problems.
  • Demonstrate experience selecting appropriate modeling techniques for supervised, unsupervised, or reinforcement learning problems in research or real-world settings, with an understanding of when and why they are appropriate.
  • Are able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

  • Have experience in project management or leading technical teams.
  • Have experience in writing technical proposals, particularly for government research projects.
  • Have experience mentoring students, teaching, or communicating complex technical concepts in academic, research, or professional settings.
  • Have experience applying machine learning methods to scientific, engineering, or data analysis problems, including areas such as computer vision, NLP, time-series analysis, or scientific machine learning.
  • Have contributed to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or presentations in statistics, machine learning, applied mathematics, or related fields.
  • Have experience understanding, developing, or adapting modern AI models and workflows, including large language models, for quantitative analysis and decision support.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttps://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.


Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually