Careermash
CAREERMASH (EN)FROM PHYSICAL SCIENCES →

Physical Scientists

Physical scientists study how the world works - from tiny atoms to huge energy systems. They do experiments and find patterns in what they discover, then use what they learn to help solve real problems like making cleaner energy or finding new medicines.

Physical Scientists

28

Physical Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO28%moving to73%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIEDA real score, but the moat is not yet classified. No claim either way.
AI can do very little of this work today
Hands-on work, caring for people and dealing with the real world are among the hardest things to automate, and this job leans on them. We have not yet formally classified its moat, so we make no claim either way, but the exposure score speaks for itself.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Physical ScientistAs a Junior Physical Scientist, you will assist in laboratory experiments, collect data, and support senior scientists in research projects. This role is ideal for recent graduates looking to gain practical experience in the field.£25,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Physical ScientistIn this role, you will lead specific research projects, analyse complex data sets, and mentor junior staff. You will be expected to contribute to publications and present findings at conferences.£35,000 - £45,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Physical ScientistAs a Senior Physical Scientist, you will oversee large research initiatives, secure funding, and drive strategic direction in your area of expertise. You will be a key figure in shaping the future of scientific research and innovation.£55,000+
Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.

AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

Part of the Sand Education ecosystem:Spill.orgWhatSchool.aiWhatCareer.netCourseMash.org