Physicists and Astronomers
Job description
Physicists conduct research to broaden knowledge of natural phenomena. These individuals develop new methods and devices in various fields (electronics, energy production and distribution, medicine, etc.). They work for:
- Manufacturers of electronic, electrical, and aerospace equipment
- Telecommunication companies
- Hydroelectric services
- Laboratories
- Hospitals
- Consulting, research, manufacturing, and processing companies
Astronomers engage in observation and research to expand our knowledge of the universe. They work for the public service and universities.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Radiation
Main tasks
Physicists
- Design research plans and lead physics research.
- Analyze data and draft reports.
- Participate in the design and development of new equipment, methods, or instruments.
Astronomers
- Prepare and implement observation campaigns.
- Carry out detailed analyses and develop numerical models to broaden knowledge of celestial bodies and cosmic radiation.
- Develop instruments and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to other specializations in physics or astronomy.
- Physicists can work closely with Engineers and perform some of their duties.
- Mobility is possible in meteorology, geophysics, and other scientific fields.
- Experience leads to management positions.
- Physicists may specialize in various fields (spatial, acoustic, atomic and molecular, medical, etc.).
- Astronomers may specialize in various fields (optical or observational astronomy, astrophysics, radio astronomy).
Hourly wage
Not available.Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 22.5% Female
- 77.5% Male
- 22.5% Female
- 77.5% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 621, 622, 62331% of jobs
-
NAICS 9112% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 541711% of jobs
-
NAICS 334, 3359% of jobs
-
NAICS 619% of jobs
-
Others28% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 621, 622, 62331% of jobs
-
NAICS 9112% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 541711% of jobs
-
NAICS 334, 3359% of jobs
-
NAICS 619% of jobs
-
Others28% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
University
Biophysics
Physics engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 42.9%
53.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 30.8%
61.5% of graduates pursue further studies
Physics or physical sciences
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 22.5%
74.6% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 56.5%
41.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
Physicists
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in a field of physics, engineering physics, or a related discipline is usually required.
Astronomers
- Master's or Doctoral degree in astronomy or a related discipline is usually required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Science
- Information processing
- Mathematics
- Data collection
- Critical thought
- Reading comprehension
- Oral expression
- Solving complex problems
- Active listening
- Active learning
- Judgment and decision-making
- Written expression
- Learning strategies
- Teaching
- Programing
- System analysis
- Result evaluation
- Time management
- Coordination
- Systems evaluation
- Social perception
- Persuasion
- Technological design
- Service oriented
Abilities
- Mathematical reasoning
- Basic numeracy
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Inductive reasoning
- Deductive reasoning
- Verbal skills
- Originality
- Idea generation
- Information organization
- Awareness of issues
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Written expression
- Near vision
- Speech recognition
- Visualization
- Information processing speed
- Selective attention
- Perception speed
- Processing flexibility
- Memorization
- Distance vision
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Perseverance
- Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
- Capacity to work in a team
- Capacity to delegate
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Sense of observation
- Commitment to quality
- Knowledge of design
- Knowledge of physics
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Carry out research
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Artistic
- People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
Official name of the NOC 21100
Physicists and astronomers
Job titles
- Physicist
- Astronomer
- Astrophysicist
- Biophysicist
- Medical physicist
- Aerodynamicist
- Aerophysicist
- Medical biophysicist
- Molecular biophysicist
- Mathematical biophysicist
- Radiation biophysicist
- Medical engineering biophysicist
- Aerospace research scientist
- Communications research scientist
- Electronics research scientist
- Physics research scientist
- Remote sensing research scientist
- Cosmologist
- Metrologist
- Theoretical nuclear physicist
- Nuclear physicist
- Atmospheric physicist
- Space physicist
- Acoustics physicist
- Crystal physicist
- Electronics physicist
- Experimental physicist
- Mechanics physicist
- Optics physicist
- Solid-state physicist
- Thermal physicist
- Laser physicist
- Nuclear reactor physicist
- Particle accelerator physicist
- Cryogenics physicist
- Fluid physicist
- High-temperature physicist
- Metal physicist
- Microwave physicist
- Particle physicist
- Elementary particle physicist
- Plasma physicist
- Cosmic ray physicist
- X-ray physicist
- Semiconductor physicist
- Chemical physicist
- Electricity and magnetism physicist
- Magnetism physicist
- Health physicist
- Photonics physicist
- Nanotechnology physicist
- Physiciens/physiciennes de l'atmosphère
- Radio astronomer
- Rheologist
- Elementary particle theorist
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026