This example is for physicists working at research institutes, industrial labs, technology companies, hospitals and data analysis teams, and for physics graduates looking for work outside the university.
The employer wants to know which measurements you carry out, with which equipment, how you model and analyse data and which programming languages you use. We show you how to describe this on your CV so that a recruiter from outside science understands it too.
Physicist with a PhD in solid state physics and 5 years of experience in the R&D department of an optical sensor manufacturer. I design and run measurements, model phenomena in Python and COMSOL, analyse data and prepare technical reports. Before that I worked at a research institute and I am a co-author of 9 publications.
Work experience
R&D engineer
02.2021 - present
Optical sensor manufacturer, Warsaw
Designing and running optical measurements of sensor prototypes.
Simulations of optical and thermal phenomena in COMSOL Multiphysics.
Python scripts to automate measurements and analyse data.
Technical reports and recommendations for the design team.
Contributing to 2 patent applications.
Research assistant
10.2016 - 01.2021
Institute of physics, Warsaw
Research into the optical properties of thin films.
Operating spectrometers and cryogenic setups.
Teaching lab classes for students.
Education
PhD in physics
2016 - 2020
University of Warsaw
Master's degree, physics
2011 - 2016
University of Warsaw
Skills
Optical measurements and spectroscopy
Modelling in COMSOL
Python: NumPy, SciPy, pandas
Measurement automation
Data analysis and statistics
Technical reports
Training
COMSOL Multiphysics course, 2021
Radiation protection training, 2018
Languages
English: C1
German: A2
Additional information
9 scientific publications
I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).
How to write a physicist CV
Professional summary
Write which field of physics you work in, for how long and what you can do: measure, model, programme. Translate research experience into company language, for example instead of your thesis title write which problems you solved. Add programming languages and software.
Physics graduate with experience in an optics lab and data analysis projects. I programme in Python, know statistical methods and can operate a spectrometer. I want to work in R&D or in data analysis.
Experience: duties and achievements
Describe measurements, simulations, equipment and results. Show how your work helped the company or the project: a prototype, a patent, a publication, faster analysis. Recruiters in industry look for physicists who solve practical problems.
Weaker: Measurements.
Better: Designing and running optical measurements of sensor prototypes.
Weaker: Simulations.
Better: Simulations of optical and thermal phenomena in COMSOL Multiphysics.
Weaker: Programming.
Better: Python scripts to automate measurements and analyse data.
Skills worth listing
List measurement methods, equipment, software and programming languages. In your soft skills show analytical thinking and the ability to explain difficult topics to people outside physics.
Professional skills
Measurement methods
Modelling and simulation
Python and data analysis
Lab equipment
Statistics
Technical documentation
Personal skills
Analytical thinking
Problem solving
Explaining difficult topics
Independence
Teamwork
Training and publications
List training in software, radiation protection and laser safety if they relate to your work. Give publications as a number and a link. In medical physics list your specialisation and the licences required by law.
Physicist CV with no experience
Describe your thesis, lab work, projects and programming. Write which problems you solved and with which methods.
Physicists find work in industry, data analysis, finance and programming. Tailor your CV to the sector and stress the skills that count there.
Tailoring your CV to the job offer
An R&D department looks for measurements and prototypes, a technology company for modelling and programming, a hospital for medical physics and licences, and data analysis for statistics and Python. Move to the top what the job ad is about.
The most common mistakes on a physicist CV
A PhD title with no explanation of what you can do.
No programming languages or software.
A list of publications taking up two pages.
Leaving out equipment and measurement methods.
Academic jargon in a CV for a company.
No results of your work: a prototype, a patent, an analysis.
Questions and answers
What should a physicist put on a CV?
The field, measurement methods, equipment, modelling, programming, results of your work, training, publications and education.
Where does a physicist work outside the university?
In R&D departments, technology companies, medical physics, data analysis, finance and programming.
Should a physicist be able to programme?
More and more often, yes. Python for data analysis and measurement automation is required in many job ads.
How do you describe a PhD on a CV for a company?
Write which problems you solved, with which methods and with what result, instead of only the thesis title.
Create a physicist CV in the builder
In the CV Majster builder you enter your details step by step and see right away what the document looks like. You can copy the wording from this page and adapt it to yourself. The finished CV as a PDF costs a one-off PLN 5, with no subscription, and you see the preview before you pay.