How to become a physics technician
Official title: Physics technician
Also called: Astronomy technician, Laboratory technician (physics), Astronomy technician
Physics technician performs technical tasks, normally under the direction of a physicist, in connection with pure research into physical phenomena or applied physics research and development work. He/she assists with experiments, tests and analyses in the field of mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism, electronics, nuclear or other branches of physics to investigate the structure and properties of matter, transformation and propagation of energy, relationships between matter and energy and other physical phenomena or to develop industrial, medical, military or other practical applications. He/she may maintain laboratory and other equipment.
Main tasks
- Collecting samples and preparing materials and equipment for experiments, tests and analyses
- Carrying out routine laboratory tests and performing a variety of technical support functions to assist chemical and physical scientists in research, development, analysis and testing
- Controlling the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage and preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects, according to the specifications given
- Setting up, operating, and maintaining laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations, and calculating and recording results
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Chemistry technician
- Civil engineering technician
- Building technician
- Land surveying technician
- Resident technical officer
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Questions people ask
Will AI change the work of a physics technician?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026