Defence and aerospace

The defence agencies and commercial aerospace industry offer a wealth of opportunities for physicists, from communication solutions and weapons and guidance technology, to software design and component engineering. Around 1% of those with physics degrees move into the combined armed forces each year, which accounts for a significant number of top-end graduates.

Case study: Physicists at Aldermaston
The UK's nuclear warheads are designed and maintained by the staff of the Atomic Weapons Establishment. Stephen White explains the vital role played by researchers there.