• Question: what does it take to become a particle physicist?

    Asked by anon-240733 to Ben on 9 Mar 2020.
    • Photo: Ben Cropper

      Ben Cropper answered on 9 Mar 2020: last edited 9 Mar 2020 1:30 pm

      Short answer:
      You just kind of keep picking ‘Physics’ as your option for everything in school until you get there!
      Longer answer:
      Take Physics at university (you will need A Levels in Physics and Maths). Then, pick projects in the area you want to study. When you are about to finish, you can apply directly for particle physics PhDs with university departments that have particle physics groups. If you’ve done well enough, you can get offered a place. After you’ve finished your PhD, you apply for postdoctoral positions (these are temporary, two years each) and then from there you can apply for permanent academic positions at universities.

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