How to become a physicist: Mark Richards' story

What’s your job?

I’m a scientist - an atmospheric physicist and a senior teaching fellow at Imperial College London. In my spare time I am also a DJ (DJ Kemist).

How did you get started in this role?

Whilst working on a project to detect very small amounts of harmful chemicals in the air, I did a degree in chemistry followed by a PhD.

I now split my time between teaching physics, DJing and remixing music, and developing air pollution monitoring instruments for the company that I co-founded.

What inspires you?

I was born in Nottingham in the 1970s to parents who had emigrated from Jamaica, as part of the Windrush generation.

My mother was a great advocate for education. She used to say that education is your passport out of poverty. When I started to do well in chemistry tests at school, the ‘boffins’ who always did well were very unhappy, but this showed me I was someone who could do well and so I kept trying.

Qualifications

PhD in Physics at The Imperial College London, BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry at the University of Manchester.

Before this I did A-levels in Maths, Chemistry, and Economics.

Best thing about your job

I love knowing that the work I do is both rewarding and also has the potential to improve the quality of lives for many people across the globe.

Future plans

I plan to bring the joy of studying science to more people throughout the world, especially those who have little opportunity to do so. I also want to continue to DJ and produce music.

Top tips

• Aptitude + Attitude = Altitude
• Stay versatile in an ever-changing world
• Know yourself. Be yourself. As they say 'it’s always better to be a first-rate you than a second-rate somebody else.'

What to expect if you want to be a physicist

• Physicist average salary: £15,609 to £50,000 per year
• Physicist typical working hours: 35 to 40 hours per week

What qualifications do you need to be a physicist?

You could get into this role via a university course, an apprenticeship or a graduate training scheme.

Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service

This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.

For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).

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