NKPD code: 2111
Physicists and astronomers conduct research and experimental development, improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods concerning matter, space, time, energy, physical forces and the interrelationships between these physical phenomena. They apply this knowledge of physics and astronomy in industry, medicine, the military and other fields. Physicists and astronomers perform the following main tasks: • conducting research and improving or developing concepts, theories, practical methods, instrumentation or software related to physics and astronomy; • conducting experiments, tests and analyses of the structure and properties of matter in fields such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electronics, communications, power generation and distribution, aerodynamics, optics and lasers, remote sensing, medicine, sonics, magnetism and nuclear physics; • evaluating the results of investigations and experiments and drawing conclusions using mathematical techniques and models; • applying principles, techniques and processes to develop or improve industrial, medical, military and other practical applications and techniques of physics and astronomy; • ensuring the safe and effective delivery of radiation (ionising and non-ionising) to patients to achieve diagnostic or therapeutic results as prescribed by the medical practitioner; • ensuring the accurate measurement and characterisation of physical quantities used in medical applications; • testing, commissioning and evaluating equipment used in imaging, medical treatment and dosimetry; • advising and consulting with medical practitioners and other health professionals to optimise the balance between the beneficial and harmful effects of radiation; • observing, analysing and interpreting celestial phenomena and developing methods, numerical models and techniques to extend knowledge in fields such as navigation, satellite communication, space exploration, celestial bodies and cosmic radiation; • developing, implementing and maintaining standards and protocols for the measurement of physical phenomena and for the use of nuclear technology for industrial and medical purposes; • preparing scientific papers and reports. Examples of occupations in this unit group: – Astronomer – Physicist – Physicist, medical radiological physics – Physicist, atomic physics Excludes: – Physician, nuclear medicine – 2212 – Physician, radiation hygiene – 2212 – Physician, diagnostic imaging – 2212 – X-ray laboratory technician – 3211