Physicist
OFO Code: 211101
Last checked 3 October 2026
1. Occupation identity
- OFO code
- 211101
- Occupation
- Physicist
- Classification
- OFO 2021
- Major group
- PROFESSIONALS
- Unit group
- 2111 · Physicists and Astronomers
Official description
Physicists and astronomers conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods concerning matter, space, time, energy, forces and fields and the interrelationship between these physical phenomena. They apply scientific knowledge relating to physics and astronomy in industrial, medical, military or other fields.
More official OFO detail
Specialisations: Nuclear Physicist, Medical Physicist, Biophysicist, Astrophysicist, Astronomer, Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists, Crystallographer
- Evaluating results of investigations and experiments and expressing conclusions, mainly using mathematical techniques and models
- Observing, analysing and interpreting celestial phenomena and developing methods, numerical models and techniques to extend knowledge of fields such as navigation, satellite communication, space exploration, celestial bodies and cosmic radiation
- Ensuring the safe and effective delivery of radiation (ionising and non-ionising) to patients to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic result as prescribed by a medical practitioner
- Ensuring the accurate measurement and characterization of physical quantities used in medical applications
- Developing, implementing and maintaining standards and protocols for the measurement of physical phenomena and for the use of nuclear technology in industrial and medical applications
- Testing, commissioning and evaluating equipment used in applications such as imaging, medical treatment and dosimetry
- Advising and consulting with medical practitioners and other health care professionals in optimizing the balance between the beneficial and deleterious effects of radiation
- Applying principles, techniques and processes to develop or improve industrial, medical, military and other practical applications of the principles and techniques of physics or astronomy
- Conducting research and improving or developing concepts, theories, instrumentation, software and operational methods related to physics and astronomy
- Preparing scientific papers and reports
2. Demand status
Demand evidence not yet linked
This is an official OFO 2021 occupation. Demand status is separate evidence and is not inferred from inclusion in the OFO.
A national demand signal is not a promise of a vacancy in your town.
3. Salary evidence
No sourced salary record has been ingested for this OFO code yet.
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5. Qualification
Qualification evidence pending.
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7. Industry, sector and provincial context
National occupation classification. Industry and provincial context are shown only where a separate official source supports the link.
No source-backed modern OFO↔SIC 7 industry link has been ingested for this occupation yet. PathLens does not infer one from the job title.
Browse the official South African industry classification →8. Next steps — official links
9. Decision tools
10. Sources for this page
- DHET Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO 2021) · Planned
- DHET Occupations in High Demand · Planned
- Critical Skills List · Planned
- QCTO qualifications and occupational certificates · Planned
- Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey · Planned
- SETA Sector Skills Plans / hard-to-fill vacancy tables · Planned