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Physicist Phd Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

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Physicist Phd information

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$40.8K

$98K

$234.2K

How much do physicist phd jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for physicist phd in Silver Spring, MD is $98,007.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,000.00 and $115,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a physicist PhD worth it?

A physicist with a PhD often has access to advanced research, academic, and specialized industry roles that require high-level expertise. While earning a PhD involves significant time and financial investment, it can lead to higher salaries and more competitive job opportunities in research, academia, and technical fields.

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.

Are physics PhDs employable?

Physics PhDs are highly employable in academia, research institutions, government labs, and industry sectors such as technology, engineering, and data analysis. They often find roles requiring advanced analytical skills, problem-solving, and familiarity with scientific tools and programming. Job prospects improve with relevant experience, publications, and networking within specialized fields.

What is a physicist PhD?

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 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 are popular job titles related to Physicist Phd jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Physicist Phd jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Physicist Phd jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Physicist Phd jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Physicist Phd jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Physicist Phd job openings:
Infographic showing various Physicist Phd job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,007 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

2027 PhD Graduate - Distributed Tactical Awareness

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 73 rated research


Job description

Description
Do you have an analytical mind and a strong sense of curiosity?
Are you motivated by defending our nation against air, ballistic missile, and hypersonic threats?
Do you want to understand the math, physics, and algorithms that underpin tactical systems in order to quantitatively assess, improve, and innovate warfighting capabilities?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!
The U.S. Navy and Joint Forces face increasingly dangerous and complex threats, including autonomous vehicles, sophisticated anti-ship missiles, and ballistic missiles. To defend sailors and marines from these threats, we in the Distributed Tactical Awareness and Decision-Making Group work to solve command and control challenges related to sensor integration, information fusion, and distributed kill chains. We are seeking engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and computer scientists to join our team to research, develop, and analyze innovative solutions to emerging warfighter challenges.
As a new member of the Distributed Tactical Awareness and Decision-Making group, you will
  • Seek to understand and improve algorithms underpinning sensor data fusion, combat planning, management, and optimization decisions, and weapon system employment
  • Simulate scenarios to assess system performance and identify areas for improvement
  • Parse warfighter needs in conjunction with scholarly literature to prototype tactical algorithms
  • Analyze data from live test events to directly inform engineering decisions
  • Collaborate with cross disciplinary teams and share your work both externally and internally
  • Have opportunities to visit Navy ships and to work with sailors, officers, and other warfighters

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a PhD or equivalent Doctorate degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or equivalent
  • Are proficient with C++, Java, Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages
  • Are comfortable applying mathematics, especially probability and statistics
  • Like to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Have good written and oral communication skills
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a 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'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have a background in physics (RF physics and/or Optics preferred)
  • Have experience with Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, or tracking
  • Have worked with machine learning methods and algorithms
  • Hold an active SECRET (or above) clearance

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 at https://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 contact Accessibility@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

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