AIP Issues Study on PhD Physicists Working in National Laboratories

A study just released by AIP found that 4,500 PhD physicists are employed in 29 major Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers. A total of 20,000 PhD physicists are employed in 1995 in this and three other sectors: 10,000 in academe, 3,200 in industry, and 2,300 in government and other areas.

The “1995 National Laboratory Workforce Report” was produced by Jean M. Curtin and Christine Cassagnau of the Education and Employment Statistics Division of the American Institute of Physics. The four-page report is the first released by the division on employment at the national laboratories, with another survey to be conducted in about two years.

A total of 29 centers “with a significant physics component in their missions” were surveyed by telephone. The centers contacted included Los Alamos, Sandia, Fermi National Accelerator, MITRE Corporation, and the Space Telescope Science Institute.

In looking ahead to employment prospects, the report states, “Respondents were asked what the short-term future might look like for their labs/units. Although many were uncertain, the majority of contacts indicated that the most they could hope for is to maintain the status quo.” In assessing the future, some of the respondents replied: “We foresee an inhibiting of growth...optimistic is to hold even.” “Stable...due to budget pressures there won’t be any growth.” “Dismal...foresee a continual slow attrition unless policy change occurs.”

Early retirement programs resulted in a retirement rate of 4.3% in 1993 and 1994. The report estimates the retirement rate will drop to 3.7% in 1995 and 1996. The estimated gross turnover rate of permanent, PhD-level physicists in the national laboratories increased from 4.3% in 1994 to 4.6% in 1995. This translated to a projected 160 openings in 1995. The report estimated that in 1995 the labs had about 270 postdoctoral positions to fill. The turnover rate is approximately 45%.

The outlook for 1996 anticipates low growth in the estimated number of employees with physics PhD’s. Permanent positions at the centers will increase from 3,450 in 1995 to 3,490 in 1996. Postdoctoral appointments will increase from 600 to 620. Visiting scientists and other temporary positions will increase from 430 to 440.

Utilization of PhD physicists varies among employment sectors. More than 70% of PhD physicists at the national laboratories work in physics. This compares to less than one-third of PhD physicists similarly employed by industry.

The survey also looked at the number of PhD physicists working in laboratories participating in Cooperative Research and Development Agreements. 87% of the laboratories are involved in one or more CRADA’s.

A free copy of the report may be obtained by contacting jcurtin@aip.acp.org or by calling 301-209-3071.