Also called: Instrumentation Physicist, Detector Physicist
Builds the giant 'cameras' that photograph particle collisions, neutrinos, and dark matter.
You might test sensor modules in a cleanroom, or travel a mile underground in South Dakota to a dark-matter detector shielded from cosmic rays. Detector skills also lead to medical imaging and homeland security jobs.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in physics or electrical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Electrical Engineering.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps with simulation and readout code; building and testing detector hardware stays hands-on.
Classes: AP Physics C, Electronics CTE, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2012.
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