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Find the career path that suits you!


Think that studying physics at university limits you to a career in research? Think again. Your physics training gets you further than you think. 

Explore the different career pathways physics could possibly lead you on by reading the career profiles of physics graduates. We feature a different physics graduate each month in our monthly AIP newsletter bulletin. Some are also featured in our quarterly Australian Physics magazine.


A brilliant career peering at diamonds through optics

John Chapman

“I am in the gem industry, or more specifically, the diamond industry. A few years ago, I started a couple of businesses: one making instruments for gemmologists and another running a diamond laboratory specialising in certifying Argyle origin of pink and violet diamonds,” says John Chapman

“Physics has played a role in both those enterprises as they involve the light spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared,” he says.

Read more about how John is using optics to see diamonds more clearly.

Would you like to share how physics shaped your career? Or nominate someone you know with a career path that grew from physics?

Email aip@aip.org.au to be considered for our 2023 #PhysicsGotMeHere profiles.

Government

Working in state government as a STEM ambassador:

Read Prof Tien Kieu MP's profile here.


Computing

Building and managing supercomputers that process seismic data:

Read Dr Stuart Midgely's profile here


Science-related business

Co-founding and being CEO of a lab instrument company:

Read Prof Daniel Shaddock's profile here


Epidemiology

Applying non-linear dynamical systems theory to infectious disease data:

Read Dr James McCaw's profile here


Technical writing

Creating documentation for hydroacoustic data analysis software:

Read Dr Vasaant Krishnan's profile here


Education

Analysing labour market trends for the Department of Education:

Read Dr Sarah Midgley OAM's profile here


Operations

Overseeing the daily running of the AIP, including managing finances: 

Read Nicole Reynolds' profile here


Science communication

Performing physics comedy and being a comms advisor:

Read Rachel Rayner's profile here.


Patent law

Establishing and maintaining patents for innovative research and work:

Read Dr Phil Burns' profile here


Medical physics

Specialising in diagnostic imaging and image-guided therapy:

Read Dr Shermiyah Rienecker's profile here


Medicine

Treating unwell children in a paediatric intensive care unit: 

Read Dr Rebecca Pearce's profile here


Cyber security

Guiding banks to secure themselves against cyber threats:  

Read Sarah Lugay's profile here


You could also have a career in Data Analysis, Regulation/Quality monitoring, Veterinary Medicine, Philosophy, Training, Visual Effects, and more.

Explore more career profiles here:


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