U.S. Government Career Opportunities for Physicists

The U.S. Government has a longstanding commitment to both basic and applied research in physics, supporting an ecosystem that spans all major branches of pure physics and an increasing number of interdisciplinary ones as well. This presentation will include two parts. The first contains an overview of the speaker’s career trajectory, from obtaining a Ph.D. in experimental condensed matter physics, to working in the semiconductor industry, to ultimately managing a quantum information science program for the U.S. Army. The second part contains an in-depth look at both U.S. Government program management and research career opportunities for physicists, and will specifically highlight how government programs approach deciding which basic research questions to address, how these research areas are explored through both internal and externally facing programs, and how collaborations and research transitions are leveraged to facilitate the development of capabilities which are poised to ultimately impact both government and private sectors. A discussion of various “on-ramps” to potential careers in government will also be included to highlight various opportunities for early, mid, and senior career physicists.