Careermash
CAREERMASH (EN)FROM PHYSICAL SCIENCES →

Plasma Physicist

Plasma physicists study plasma, a fourth state of matter (like a supercharged gas). They work in laboratories exploring how plasma behaves, which helps scientists develop new energy sources and understand space.

Plasma Physicist

28

Physical Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO28%moving to73%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £38,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Plasma PhysicistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in laboratory experiments, collect data, and support senior researchers in their projects. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop your skills in plasma physics.£30,000 - £38,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Plasma PhysicistAt this stage, you will lead your own research projects, mentor junior staff, and contribute to grant applications. Your expertise will be crucial in advancing the team's research objectives.£50,000 - £65,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Plasma Physicist/Research LeadIn a senior role, you will oversee major research initiatives, secure funding, and publish influential papers. You will be recognised as a leader in the field, shaping the direction of plasma physics research.£75,000+
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