Physics lecturer
Also known as: specialist lecturer in physics, physics lector, senior lecturer in physics, physics docent, higher education physics teacher, university lecturer in physics
About this occupation
Physics lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, physics, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for leading laboratory practices, grading papers and exams and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their field of physics, publish their findings and liaise with>other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- apply teaching strategies
- apply intercultural teaching strategies
- laboratory techniques
- curriculum objectives
- write work-related reports
- physics
- assess students
- liaise with educational staff
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- develop course outline
- give constructive feedback
- teach physics
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Physics Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1054.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Realistic
Top skills: Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Science, Active Listening, Writing
US median pay: US$100,310 a year (2025), 13,090 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsExtremely important (4.8)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
- Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Physicists
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.