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Physics Phd Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Loma Linda University Health

Physicist PhD 2

Loma Linda, CA · On-site

$232K - $312K/yr

The physics team of medical professionals comprising four PhD physicists, three MS physicists, a calibration physicist, and six dosimetrists. The department's equipment and facilities include three ...

Pronoia Energy

Theoretical Physicist

Torrance, CA · On-site

A physics PhD with genuine theoretical depth in a relevant subfield, such as quantum thermodynamics, condensed-matter theory, quantum optics, or statistical mechanics. * Published works, intellectual ...

YO AI Labs

Physics Expert - Remote

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$80 - $160/hr

PhD in Physics with demonstrated expertise and scholarly impact in a specific physics subfield. * Current or former Associate Professor, Full Professor, Chair Professor, Principal Investigator, or ...

YO AI Labs

Physics Expert - Remote

San Jose, CA · Remote

$80 - $160/hr

PhD in Physics with demonstrated expertise and scholarly impact in a specific physics subfield. * Current or former Associate Professor, Full Professor, Chair Professor, Principal Investigator, or ...

YO AI Labs

Physics Expert - Remote

Palo Alto, CA · Remote

$80 - $160/hr

PhD in Physics with demonstrated expertise and scholarly impact in a specific physics subfield. * Current or former Associate Professor, Full Professor, Chair Professor, Principal Investigator, or ...

YO AI Labs

Physics Expert - Remote

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$80 - $160/hr

PhD in Physics with demonstrated expertise and scholarly impact in a specific physics subfield. * Current or former Associate Professor, Full Professor, Chair Professor, Principal Investigator, or ...

Applied Physics

Experimental Physicist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

PhD in physics, quantum optics, quantum information or equivalent combination of education and related experience * Advanced knowledge in circuit quantum electrodynamics and quantum control theory

Applied Physics

Experimental Physicist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

PhD in physics, quantum optics, quantum information or equivalent combination of education and related experience * Advanced knowledge in circuit quantum electrodynamics and quantum control theory

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Physics Phd information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$60.4K

$93.3K

How much do physics phd jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for physics phd in California is $60,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,400.00 and $63,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a physics PhD?

A Physics PhD job typically involves advanced research, problem-solving, and analytical work in academia, industry, or government. Common roles include research scientist, data analyst, professor, and engineer in fields like aerospace, biotech, finance, and energy. These jobs require expertise in mathematical modeling, programming, and experimental techniques. Many Physics PhDs work on cutting-edge technologies, simulations, and theoretical advancements that drive innovation in science and engineering.

What types of projects or research areas can physics PhDs expect to work on?

Physics PhDs often work on a broad range of projects, such as experimental and theoretical research in condensed matter, quantum mechanics, astrophysics, or materials science, depending on the employer and area of specialization. You may be involved in designing and conducting experiments, developing simulations, publishing findings, and collaborating with other scientists or engineers. Many positions offer opportunities to lead interdisciplinary teams or participate in cutting-edge technology development. The day-to-day work is often dynamic, with tasks varying between data analysis, grant preparation, presentations, and mentorship. Over time, there are strong opportunities for career advancement to roles such as principal investigator, research director, or technical lead in academia, government, or industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the physics PhD position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physics PhD, you need advanced expertise in physics concepts, analytical problem-solving abilities, and a doctoral degree in physics or a closely related field. Strong proficiency with data analysis software (such as MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW), scientific instrumentation, and publication or grant-writing systems is typically required. Excellent communication, perseverance, and the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams set top candidates apart. These skills are essential for driving research, contributing to innovation, and succeeding in both academic and industry settings.

Are physics PhDs employable?

Physics PhDs are highly employable in various fields including academia, research, data analysis, engineering, and technology. They develop skills in problem-solving, quantitative analysis, and technical communication, which are valued across many industries. Job prospects often depend on specialization, experience, and additional skills such as programming or laboratory techniques.

Do physics PhD students get paid?

Physics PhD students often receive stipends or assistantships that provide a salary or financial support during their studies, typically in exchange for research or teaching duties. The amount and source of funding vary by institution and program, but paid positions are common in graduate physics programs. These stipends help cover living expenses while students focus on their research and coursework.

Is a physics PhD worth it?

A physics PhD prepares individuals for careers in research, academia, and industry, often requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills. While it can lead to high-level positions, the degree involves significant time and financial investment, and job prospects vary depending on specialization and market demand.

What are the most commonly searched types of Physics Phd jobs in California?

The most popular types of Physics Phd jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Physics Phd jobs in California?

For Physics Phd jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Physics Phd jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Physics Phd jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Physics Phd jobs?

Cities in California with the most Physics Phd job openings:

Physics Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physics Phd job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,359 per year, or $29 per hour.

Physics PhD - Quantum Computing Expert

Mercor

San Francisco, CA • Remote

$70/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Physics PhD Coding Experts
Type: Contract
Compensation: $70/hour
Location: Remote
Duration: 6 weeks
Commitment: 20+ hours/week

Role Responsibilities

  • Source material from published papers, Kaggle datasets, open-source repositories, or self-designed scenarios.
  • Write scientific prompts based on sourced inputs.
  • Build grading criteria to define correct answers.
  • Calibrate tasks against frontier models, ensuring tasks ship only when strong models fail more often than they succeed.
  • Work independently and asynchronously to meet deadlines while improving AI model performance.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • PhD in physics, applied physics, or a closely related field.
  • Depth in at least two subdomains: condensed matter, optics, quantum information/computing, computational physics, astrophysics, particle physics.
  • Working proficiency in Python, R, or another relevant programming language for scientific computing.
  • Comfortable with Git/GitHub and running code in Docker.

Preferred

  • Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Prior scientific software or research engineering experience.

Start Date

  • Immediate

Interview Process

  • Upload your resume and application form.
  • A 25-minute conversational interview covering your background, experience, and motivations.
  • Follow up within a few days with next steps and onboarding.

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.