Plasma Physicist

Plasma physicists study plasma, a fourth state of matter (like a supercharged gas). They work in laboratories exploring how plasma behaves, which helps scientists develop new energy sources and understand space.

Plasma Physicist

28

Physical Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO28%moving to73%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £38,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Who hires for this

Culham Centre for Fusion EnergyA leading UK research centre focused on nuclear fusion, offering exciting opportunities for Plasma Physicists to work on groundbreaking projects.UK Atomic Energy AuthorityAn innovative organisation at the forefront of fusion energy research, providing a dynamic environment for scientific exploration.University of CambridgeRenowned for its research excellence, the University offers numerous opportunities for Plasma Physicists in both teaching and research.Imperial College LondonA prestigious institution with a strong focus on science and engineering, offering a vibrant research community for Plasma Physicists.Max Planck Institute for Plasma PhysicsAn international research institute with a strong presence in the UK, focusing on plasma physics and fusion research.University of OxfordA world-class university with a strong physics department, providing excellent research opportunities in plasma physics.National Physical LaboratoryThe UK's national measurement standards laboratory, offering roles that apply plasma physics in metrology and technology.AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment)A leading employer in the UK for scientists, AWE offers roles that involve plasma physics in defence and security applications.Thales GroupAn international technology leader, Thales provides opportunities for Plasma Physicists in aerospace and defence sectors.QinetiQA science and engineering consultancy that offers roles in plasma physics, particularly in defence and security applications.
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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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