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Physicist Phd Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

ARA

Senior Research Engineer - AI/ML

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$181K/yr

PhD or MS in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field * Experience in cloud-based, parallel, or distributed computing. * Experience developing generative AI, agentic AI ...

ARA

Senior Software Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

... PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or a closely related field. * 8+ years relevant work experience with BS * 6+ years relevant work experience ...

Berriehill Research

Senior Software Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

... PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or a closely related field. * 8+ years relevant work experience with BS * 6+ years relevant work experience ...

Duke University

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Durham, NC

... or PhD completed in the last 1-3 years, in a quantitative discipline, such as Computational Biology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data science, Physics ...

Duke University

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Durham, NC · On-site

... or PhD completed in the last 1-3 years, in a quantitative discipline, such as Computational Biology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data science, Physics ...

Berriehill Research

Senior Systems Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

... PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or a closely related field * 10+ years relevant work experience with BS * 8+ years relevant work experience ...

ARA

Senior Systems Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

... PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or a closely related field * 10+ years relevant work experience with BS * 8+ years relevant work experience ...

MMS

Study Design Statistician (US)

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Bachelors degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, pharmacology or with a strong statistical component, Masters or PhD preferred. * 5-7 years of experience in the application of medical statistics ...

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Physicist Phd information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$38.4K

$92.2K

$220.2K

How much do physicist phd jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for physicist phd in Raleigh, NC is $92,153.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,300.00 and $108,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the salary of a PhD physicist?

A PhD physicist's salary varies based on experience, industry, and location, but typically ranges from $80,000 to over $130,000 annually. Physicists working in research, academia, or industry may also receive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

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

To thrive as a Physicist PhD, you need advanced knowledge of physics concepts, strong analytical skills, and a doctoral degree in physics or a related field. Proficiency with scientific programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), laboratory equipment, and data analysis software is typically required. Critical thinking, effective communication, and collaboration are vital soft skills for presenting research and working in multidisciplinary teams. These competencies enable physicists to drive scientific discovery, clearly convey complex ideas, and contribute valuable insights to their field.

What is the difference between Physicist Phd vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPhysicist PhdMaterials Scientist
Required credentialsPhD in Physics, advanced research experienceTypically a PhD in Materials Science or related field
Work environmentResearch labs, academia, government agenciesIndustrial labs, manufacturing, research institutions
Industry usageFundamental research, academia, government projectsProduct development, materials testing, quality control

Physicist Phd and Materials Scientist both hold advanced degrees and conduct research, but physicists focus on fundamental physical principles, while materials scientists specialize in material properties and applications. Their work environments and industry applications differ, with physicists often in academia or government labs, and materials scientists in industry settings.

Is a PhD worth it in physics?

A PhD in physics prepares physicist PhDs for research, academia, and specialized industry roles, often requiring strong analytical and technical skills. While it can lead to higher-level positions and increased earning potential, it also involves significant time and financial investment, and job prospects depend on the field and sector chosen.

What are Physicist PhDs?

Physicist PhDs are individuals who have earned a doctoral degree (PhD) in physics, demonstrating advanced knowledge and research skills in the field. They typically conduct original research in areas such as quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics, or astrophysics, and contribute to scientific understanding through experiments, theory, or computational work. Many Physicist PhDs work in academic, government, or industry settings, applying their expertise to solve complex scientific and technological problems. Their work often includes publishing research, teaching, and collaborating with other scientists.

What can you do after a PhD in physics?

A physicist with a PhD can pursue careers in academia as a researcher or professor, work in industry such as technology, aerospace, or data analysis, or join government labs and agencies. They often utilize skills in research, data modeling, programming, and problem-solving, and may need to obtain relevant certifications or security clearances depending on the role.

What are some common interdisciplinary collaborations that a Physicist PhD might engage in, and how do these collaborations impact daily work?

Physicist PhDs often collaborate with professionals from fields like engineering, computer science, materials science, and biology, depending on their research focus. These interdisciplinary partnerships can involve joint experiments, data analysis, and developing new technologies or methodologies. Such collaborations enrich daily work by exposing physicists to diverse perspectives and innovative approaches, while also requiring strong communication and project management skills. Working across disciplines can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and broaden career opportunities within both academia and industry.

What does a physicist with a PhD make?

A physicist with a PhD typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Academic physicists may earn less, while those in private sector research, technology, or engineering often have higher salaries. Advanced skills in data analysis, programming, and research are common requirements for these roles.
What are popular job titles related to Physicist Phd jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Physicist Phd jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Physicist Phd jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Physicist Phd jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Physicist Phd jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Physicist Phd job openings:
Physicist Phd jobs near you
Senior Research Engineer - AI/ML

Senior Research Engineer - AI/ML

ARA

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$181K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is actively seeking a highly qualified Research Engineer for the development of advanced AI/ML algorithms for the Intelligence and Defense communities. Application areas include software tool development, physics-based modeling, machine learning, simulation and optimization, probabilistic modeling, computer vision, and intelligent agents. The scientist / engineer will join a multi-disciplinary collaborative team of engineers and scientists.
We are seeking an experienced Research Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have an active interest in applying math/statistics/physics/engineering concepts to solve multi-disciplinary problems. Candidate will have strong analytical skills and will be capable of translating ideas and proposed solutions into software tools and algorithms. The candidate should be familiar with improving/optimizing/tuning existing algorithms as well as development of new algorithms from scratch. This will include software design, software development, and debugging / issue resolution. The candidate should demonstrate a hands-on approach to problem solving and must be willing to actively participate in evaluation of algorithm and system performance. Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and debugging skills are required.
Scientists / engineers who are passionate about applying their expertise to solve problems of national importance, have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and are seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth in a stable environment are strongly encouraged to apply.
Senior Research Engineer - AI/ML Position Requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship (No exceptions; green card holders are not eligible)
  • Current TS/SCI clearance or TS/SCI eligible
  • BS in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field with 10-12 years of relevant work experience
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas: machine learning, physics-based modeling, simulation and optimization, uncertainty quantification, surrogate modeling and model reduction, computer vision, and intelligent agents
  • Strong foundation in software development and experience with Python, Java, and/or C++
  • Experience going from problem statement to prototype to production-ready algorithms
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment

Senior Research Engineer - AI/ML Preferences:
Above all, we value passion, a continuous desire to learn, and teamwork. We are confident that if you possess the right attitude, work ethic, and skill set, you will succeed in the role. In addition to the experience and skills above, if you have any of the following, you will be able to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.
  • PhD or MS in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field
  • Experience in cloud-based, parallel, or distributed computing.
  • Experience developing generative AI, agentic AI, and/or LLM-based systems
  • Experience leading small teams of researchers and engineers
  • Experience with proposal development and sponsor interactions
  • Ability and desire to quickly learn new domains.

Who is ARA?
Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,200 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.
ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women's Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.
To find out more about what the Software Enterprise Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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