How to Become a Theoretical Physicist

Co-authored by Sean Alexander, MS

Last Updated: December 28, 2023 Approved

If you have a natural love for questioning the way the universe works, and a desire to understand why the universe works the way it does, you might just have an apt for theoretical physics. Theoretical physicists use mathematics and principles of science to describe nature. Developing a career in this field can be challenging, but if you study hard, expand your knowledge of the field, and attend an accredited university, you will be on your way to making that career happen.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Developing Your Skills Before College

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1
Read texts on related subjects like mathematics and general science. Either conduct research online or visit your local library. Look at texts that specifically describe theoretical physics or books that outline the careers of famous theorists. Many popular books explore physics at varying reading levels so you don’t have to read complex texts to start learning either.^{[1]
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- Theoretical physics involves more than just theorizing solutions to problems. As a theorist, you have to be able to use algebra, geometry, calculus, physics, and other sciences in order to prove or support your claims.
- If you are a parent and have a child in elementary school who is interested in learning about physics, check out books by the popular author, Chris Ferrie. Chris has published a wide variety of children’s books that explain basic physics principles, and ones that spotlight figureheads in the field like Isaac Newton, who was the first theoretical physicist.^{[2]
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- If you are in middle or high school, consider reading books by Stephen Hawking, who is a renowned theorist in the field. A Brief History of Time and The Grand Design are popular books to read to obtain general knowledge on the field. Michio Kaku's Physics of the Impossible and Hyperspace are good reads as well.^{[3]
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Meet with a science teacher at your school to talk about the field. Even if you are in elementary school or middle school, it is never too early to start picking the minds of your teachers. If there is a topic that you are really interested in, like theoretical physics or even just general physics, see what additional information your science teacher can provide you.^{[4]
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- Your teacher may even have a list of websites for you to learn from or books that you can borrow on the subject.
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Enroll in classes related to theoretical physics. Take every opportunity to learn more about the field and prepare yourself for a future career. Specifically look for classes that involve mathematics and physics. This will create a solid foundation for you to branch off of later on in your schooling.^{[5]
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- Some basic classes that might interest you are physics, algebra, geometry, calculus, and astronomy.
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Get involved with local science clubs or science camps. Joining science-based extracurricular activities will expand your knowledge, and will look good on any college applications you fill out. This will also give you the opportunity to connect with others who share the same passions as you.
- Maybe there is a physics club at your school and every week students get together to learn information not covered in class, or maybe there is a summer science camp that teaches astronomy, which is something not offered at your school. Whatever the club or camp is, get involved with it if you can.
- Speak with your science teachers or visit your local community center to find out about ongoing science clubs or upcoming science camps.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Obtaining the Necessary Degree

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Enroll in a theoretical physics undergraduate program at a university. In order to become a theoretical physicist, you have to at least obtain a bachelor’s of science degree from an accredited university. Start looking at colleges early in your high school career.^{[6]
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- While you can aim for Ivy-league universities like Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford, also look at theoretical science programs at universities within your state, as those may offer scholarships or grants for staying local.^{[7]
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- If you are having problems compiling a list of universities to apply to, make an appointment with your favorite science teacher or your guidance counselor. Either will be able to help you narrow down your search results, find university programs that are right for you and file the proper applications.
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Minor in experimental physics to make yourself more marketable. There is a great demand for physicists who can do both the theoretical and experimental portions of the field. Taking a few courses in experimental physics, or even picking up a minor, may increase your odds of finding a job after college.^{[8]
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- Experimental physics will also give you insight into the laboratory work that goes behind proving some of the theoretical research.
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Study hard to complete your undergraduate education. It takes a lot of hard work and drive to apply and get into a university; it takes even more to graduate from one. Once you are enrolled in a theoretical physics major, take the opportunity seriously and study hard. Making friends within your major will ease and add fun to the process.^{[9]
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- If you are having problems in any of your majoring courses, speak with the professor, a guidance counselor, or other students. College is a time for networking, so if you are having problems, networking with different groups of people might just help you solve them.^{[10]
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- Don’t be afraid to explore subjects that are closely related to your field. Look into taking courses involving astronomy and chemistry. Modern theoretical physics explores phenomena at an atomic or subatomic level. Having knowledge in those subjects will expand your career opportunities when you graduate.^{[11]
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Join research groups or university clubs related to your major. This is your opportunity to pursue developing a theory you are passionate about. Most research in physics is done at a university level, especially at universities known for the subject. Ask a professor you like if they have any ongoing research opportunities that you can get involved with, or join a club related to physics or mathematics to keep your skills sharp and make friends.^{[12]
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- Find others who are passionate about a theory that you are interested in. This will help expand your network, and may even help you land a job when you graduate from college. Exposing yourself to other creative and theoretical minds may also pique your interest into a theory you were unfamiliar with.^{[13]
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Obtain a master's or doctorate degree to get an edge over your competition. Theoretical physics can be a very competitive field to enter after graduating. Begin thinking about continuing your education within your last 2 years of undergrad. If you did not originally get into the college of your dreams, consider reapplying and pursuing a master’s degree in science or even a doctorate.^{[14]
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- To get the master's degree, you need to take two years of classes. For the doctoral degree, you will need to take two or three years of classes and complete a big research project.
- Some excellent graduate and doctoral programs are offered at University of California, Berkeley; Princeton University; Harvard University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the California Institute of Technology.^{[15]
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Part 3

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Transforming Your Education into a Career

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Join professional organizations and societies to expand your network. Go online and select 1 or 2 organizations that interest you, and review the guidelines on how to join. Many societies will even offer discounted membership rates for undergraduate or graduate students. These groups are great networking tools that will enable you to connect with others in your field, and may even provide internship or job opportunities later on.^{[16]
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- For example, the American Physical Society (APS) allows students to join for a year for free, and then offers discounted membership rates for the following year. Undergraduates pay a membership fee of $25.00 per year, and graduates pay $39.00.^{[17]
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- Start with well-known societies like the American Physical Society (APS), Institute of Physics (IP), American Astronomical Society (AAS), American Institute of Physics (AIP), and American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).^{[18]
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Gain experience through internships and fellowships. Decide if you want a summer internship to do between semesters, or if you want a longer experience via a co-op or fellowship. Then, conduct a general search online for internships offered for theoretical physics students. Your university may even have a department dedicated to helping you find and apply for an internship.^{[19]
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- Visit the websites of professional organizations to see what internship opportunities are available.^{[20]
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- Carefully review all deadlines and requirements for each internship, and start gathering the materials needed to apply early. For summer internships, companies will typically post applications late fall and then start reviewing them in January or February.
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Create a strong resume or CV to accompany your job applications. Outline your education credentials, skills, and any relevant work experience on your resume and CV. Include the contact information for any professional references who can attest to your work and character as well. Effectively arranging these details to reflect the job description or company philosophy can greatly help you land an interview.^{[21]
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- Know the difference between a CV and a resume. Resumes are typically 1 page long and provide focused details and descriptions for a particular job. Oppositely, a CV can be multiple pages in length, and generally details your work experience in paragraphs instead of a couple of sentences. Most academic employers will ask for a CV over a resume to accompany an application.
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Find a job in your field after completing your education. Begin your search by looking at the online job postings provided by professional societies in your field. These societies frequently update and post jobs and research opportunities. If you had an internship or fellowship through a particular company, ask a human resource representative if the company is hiring. You may just have an advantage to getting hired in the place you interned at.^{[22]
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- One of the best places to find theoretical research opportunities are at universities. Universities will hire theoretical physicists to carry out their research, and possibly teach part-time or full-time at the university as well. Working at a university will give you the opportunity to pick the minds of fellow theoreticians, and grant you access to any resources the university has available.^{[23]
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- If you are continuing your education, consider finding a part-time job in your field to help supplement the costs. Being a research assistant, or even teaching courses on the subject part-time will earn you some extra cash, and may open up other career opportunities down the road.^{[24]
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Be prepared and punctual for all of your job interviews. Present your best self during all portions of the interview. Smile, be alert, and answer any questions to the best of your ability. Sell yourself to the interviewer and to the company, and explain how your particular skills make you a valuable asset.^{[25]
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- Before the interview, conduct research on the company and note what the company prides themselves on or any relevant research the company is doing. Then, try to incorporate this information into your talking points during the interview. This will show that you have an actual interest in the company and not just the job.
- Bring a portfolio or extra copies of your resume so your interviewer can look it over if needed during the interview.

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How can I obtain detailed knowledge of all the branches of physics?

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Learn, from the very basics upwards. You can get books or use internet resources. You'll probably have some classes in school, and you can study physics in college, then pursue a specialty within in in graduate school. It will take many years before you get anywhere close to what you're asking. And just so you know, it's impossible to become an expert in every single area of physics - there is just far too much knowledge out there in this day and age for one person to obtain. You can gain a pretty good understanding of all the branches, but eventually, you will have to choose a specialty to delve into more deeply.

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Is it necessary to be a genius if you want to be a theoretical physicist?

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No, you just need to be knowledgeable about it and hardworking.

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Is it worth studying theoretical physics?

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That's up to you to decide. Whatever interests you deeply is worth studying.

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Tips

In order to gauge your level of interest in theoretical physics, read about the subjects that surround the field. If you find that you are not interested in these subjects, reconsider pursuing theoretical physics as a career.

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If you are serious, avoid books such as A Brief History of Time because they consume time and don't reflect the reality of physics which is mathematical. Try solving Irodov books or Feynman lecture on physics to start and then take off with increasing higher books and scientific papers.

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