Research

What it is

Research looks further ahead than design or manufacturing. It asks questions like "could we build chips from a different material?" or "how do we make chips that use far less power?" Some research happens at companies, but much of it happens at universities and government labs.

What a day of this work is like

Research usually mixes reading what others have found, running experiments, sometimes in a lab and sometimes as computer simulations, and writing up what was learned. That includes when an idea does not work, which is just as useful to know.

How people get here

Helpful school subjects: Maths, Physics, Chemistry.

University subjects that lead here: Physics; Materials science; Electrical engineering; Chemistry.

• Postgraduate degreeNarrow
  A PhD in physics, materials or engineering. A PhD is a research degree. It takes several years after a first degree. This is the usual way into research jobs.
  Why it is narrow: There are fewer research jobs than other chip jobs. Most ask for a PhD, which takes years of extra study.
  Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicists and Astronomers
• University degreeNarrow
  A first degree in physics or engineering can lead to support roles in research labs.
  Why it is narrow: To lead research you usually need a PhD. So these roles are a small part of the field.
  Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicists and Astronomers

No route on these pages guarantees a job. They show the usual ways people get in, and where a way in is narrow, they say so.