Careers in Physics and Beyond
Thinking about your next step after graduation? There are a number of different paths you can take that apply the tools and approaches that we study in physics within or beyond the field.
Physics students have gone on to become:
- PhD candidates in programs across the country and globally,
- research assistants, engineers and technicians at national labs and in the private sector,
- distinguished researchers at academic, private, and governmental institutions (e.g., working in nanotechnology and energy conservation),
- professionals in the health sector, including doctors, physical therapists and public health researchers, and
- consultants in the public and private sectors, including science policy, law, education, industry and tech.
To learn more about where physics can take you, reach out to faculty in our department or the Undergraduate Advising Head.
Undergraduate Alumni Experiences
Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison PhD Program in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics
“From my first year at Brandeis, I was able to dive into undergraduate research, which set me on the path toward pursuing a PhD. What makes Brandeis unique is its combination of a close-knit liberal arts environment with the opportunities of an R1 research institution. I built a strong community of friends, colleagues, and mentors who supported me as I explored and discovered the areas of physics and engineering research that truly inspired me.”
Graduate Student, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology PhD Program in Physics
“Brandeis Physics gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and a deep appreciation for how theoretical ideas connect to real-world experiments. Through research and close mentorship, I developed the skills and confidence to pursue physics beyond the classroom.”
Graduate Student, Harvard University PhD Program in Physics
“Looking back, I’m especially grateful for the opportunities Brandeis gave me early on, particularly the chance to get involved in research early as an undergraduate. That experience helped me grow quickly and set me up for the next step in my PhD training.”
Research Scientist, Amazon, Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR)
“As an undergrad at Brandeis physics, I was able to take small classes taught by world-class faculty, and at the same time work on independent research in amazing research labs. It was a truly transformational experience that helped shape the foundation of my academic career.”
Graduate Student, Stony Brook University PhD Program in Applied Mathematics & Statistics
“Right off the bat, I was given these substantial tasks and assignments that kind of grew in both scope and size, allowing me to learn about the inner workings of the lab in a really hands on way.”
Notable Alumni
- Dan Grober ’70 is a professor of applied physics at Yale University.
- Olaf Olafsson ’83 is a novelist and an executive VP for international and corporate strategy at Time Warner.
- Daniel Needleman ’98 is an associate professor of applied physics and cellular biology at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School.
- Michael Robinson ’95 is an intellectual property attorney at an immuno-oncology company.
- Elana Fertig ’03 is an instructor in oncology biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University.