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Solar Physicist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

National Solar Observatory

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$126.50K - $163.70K/yr

... solar physics and space weather research. As ngGONG moves through critical design milestones, strong optical leadership is essential. The Senior Optical Engineer leads the design, analysis, and ...

K2 Space

Solar Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Solar Engineer, you will contribute to the design, manufacturing, testing, and deployment of ... Bachelor's degree in physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering ...

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$94.8K

$226.5K

How much do solar physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for solar physicist in the United States is $94,805.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Solar Physicist, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and astronomy, typically supported by a Ph.D. in astrophysics or a related field. Proficiency with data analysis software, programming languages like Python or IDL, and familiarity with solar observation instruments is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and clear scientific communication set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies enable effective research, accurate data interpretation, and the advancement of our understanding of solar phenomena.

What are some typical research projects or collaborations that a Solar Physicist might be involved in?

Solar Physicists often work on projects studying solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, using data from space-based observatories and ground telescopes. Collaboration is common, both within interdisciplinary research teams and with international space agencies like NASA or ESA. Many roles involve coordinating with engineers, data scientists, and other physicists to analyze large datasets and develop models that predict solar activity. These projects contribute to our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth, making teamwork and communication skills essential in this field.

What is a Solar Physicist?

A Solar Physicist is a scientist who studies the Sun, including its structure, behavior, and impact on the solar system. They use both ground-based and space-based observatories to analyze solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and the solar wind. Solar Physicists contribute to our understanding of how solar activity affects space weather, which can impact satellites, power grids, and communication systems on Earth. Their research is crucial for predicting solar storms and mitigating their effects on technology and human activities.

What is the difference between Solar Physicist vs Solar Engineer?

AspectSolar PhysicistSolar Engineer
Required CredentialsPhysics degree, often PhD, specialized in solar phenomenaEngineering degree, often Bachelor's or Master's, focused on solar technology
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, observatories, academic institutionsSolar power plants, manufacturing facilities, project sites
Industry UsageStudying solar activity, solar physics researchDesigning and implementing solar energy systems

Solar Physicists focus on understanding the sun's physical properties and solar phenomena through research, often working in labs or academic settings. Solar Engineers, on the other hand, design and develop solar energy systems for practical use in renewable energy projects. While both roles require knowledge of solar science, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

More about Solar Physicist jobs
What cities are hiring for Solar Physicist jobs? Cities with the most Solar Physicist job openings:
What states have the most Solar Physicist jobs? States with the most job openings for Solar Physicist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Solar Physicist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Solar Physicist jobs are:
Solar Physicist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Solar Physicist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,805 per year, or $45.6 per hour.
[EOI] Postdoctoral Researcher at Polymathic AI: Solar Physics

[EOI] Postdoctoral Researcher at Polymathic AI: Solar Physics

New York University

New York, NY • On-site

$62.50K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

New York University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 530 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
The Center for Data Science at New York University (NYU) invites applications for postdoctoral researchers as part of the Polymathic AI initiative, focused on applications of AI to solar physics.
Our research focuses on building and understanding foundation models for science, and in particular modeling complex interconnected systems from astronomy, biology, fluid dynamics to solar physics. For this position, we are looking for postdoctoral researchers that will contribute to applying our research capabilities to solar physics. The overarching objective is to build large scale models of solar phenomena and apply them to important applications in solar physics and space weather research.
The selected postdoctoral candidates will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary team based in New York, spanning NYU and the Flatiron Institute, composed of machine learning researchers, engineers, and domain scientists. This collaborative environment offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting edge AI models, with a focus on generalization and interpretability, and advance AI for scientific discovery.
In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $62,500 - $125,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.
Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in a relevant field

Expected skills/functions:
  • Experience with solar physics is an advantage, but is not a requirement
  • Engage in research and train large AI models for science
  • Generate new large scientific datasets
  • Develop and maintain complex codebases
  • Read literature and integrate research across AI and scientific domain

Application Instructions
Please follow instructions in the Interfolio application and upload the following documents:
  • CV
  • Two publications
  • Two references

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About New York University

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Since its founding in 1831, NYU has been an innovator in higher education, reaching out to an emerging middle class, embracing an urban identity and professional focus, and promoting a global vision that informs its 20 schools and colleges. Today, that trailblazing spirit makes NYU one of the most prominent and respected research universities in the world, featuring top-ranked academic programs and accepting fewer than one in eight undergraduates. Anchored in New York City and with degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai as well as 12 study away sites throughout the world, NYU is a leader in global education, with more international students and more students studying abroad than any other US university.

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