PA Consulting
Computational Physics & Signal Processing Consultant
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Company Description
Apply advanced science, mathematics, and computation to some of the most challenging technical problems across industry and government.
We are looking for a technically strong scientist with a background in computational physics, applied mathematics, signal processing, or a closely related discipline to join our Applied Physics team.
This role is ideal for someone who has recently completed a PhD, or who has gained a small number of years of industrial experience, and is looking to apply rigorous scientific and mathematical thinking to complex real-world challenges.
You will work alongside physicists, mathematicians, engineers, and domain specialists to develop models, simulations, algorithms, and analytical approaches that help clients understand, design, and improve complex systems. Projects span a wide range of sectors including defence, energy, manufacturing, transport, healthcare, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
This is an opportunity to apply deep technical skills in a consulting environment, working on varied challenges where no two projects are the same.
Job Description
The Role
This is a hands-on technical role focused on analysis, modelling, and problem solving.
You will contribute to projects involving:
- Computational modelling and simulation
- Signal processing and sensing systems
- Applied mathematics and optimisation
- Data analysis and statistical inference
- Algorithm development and evaluation
- Decision-support and analytical methods
- Digital engineering and model-based approaches
- Emerging technologies, including quantum-enabled methods where appropriate
- Experimental analysis and model validation
You will typically work as part of multidisciplinary teams led by experienced technical specialists, taking ownership of analytical tasks and technical work packages while developing your consulting and client-facing experience.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Develop computational models, simulations, and analytical tools.
- Analyse experimental, simulated, and operational datasets.
- Apply mathematical and statistical techniques to solve complex technical challenges.
- Support the development and assessment of algorithms for sensing, optimisation, prediction, and decision support.
- Contribute to technical reports, presentations, and client deliverables.
- Present technical findings clearly to colleagues and clients.
- Support technical research, capability development, and internal innovation activities.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues from physics, engineering, mathematics, and data science backgrounds.
- Build expertise across multiple technical domains and application areas.
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Qualifications
What We're Looking For
You are likely to have a degree, MSc, or PhD in:
- Physics
- Applied Mathematics
- Engineering Physics
- Electronic Engineering
- Mathematics
- Computer Science with a strong quantitative focus
- Quantum Technologies
- A closely related scientific or engineering discipline
You should have experience in several of the following:
- Computational physics
- Applied mathematics
- Signal processing
- Numerical modelling and simulation
- Statistical analysis
- Optimisation
- Scientific computing
- Data analysis
- Sensor fusion
- Machine learning for physical systems
- Quantum computing or quantum technologies
Experience with Python, MATLAB, C++, Julia, or similar technical computing environments would be advantageous.
The Ideal Candidate
You will be:
- Intellectually curious and motivated by solving difficult problems.
- Strong analytically, with excellent mathematical foundations.
- Comfortable working with data, models, and simulations.
- Interested in understanding how complex systems behave.
- Able to communicate technical ideas clearly and concisely.
- Collaborative and eager to learn from experienced colleagues.
- Adaptable and comfortable working across different sectors and technical domains.
- Pragmatic, creative, and willing to tackle unfamiliar challenges.
We are less concerned about your sector background than your ability to apply scientific thinking, learn quickly, and deliver high-quality analytical work.
What You'll Gain
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Work alongside experienced physicists, mathematicians, and engineers.
- Apply advanced science to complex, real-world problems.
- Build expertise in modelling, simulation, sensing, and advanced analytics.
- Gain exposure to a diverse range of sectors and technologies.
- Develop both technical depth and consulting experience.
- Grow into a future technical leadership role within a rapidly developing capability.
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If you enjoy solving difficult problems, working with talented technical teams, and applying science to meaningful challenges, we'd love to hear from you.
Additional Information
Life At PA
Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich people’s working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose-led meaningful work.
Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.
Find out more about Life at PA here.
Benefits
We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:
- Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare for you and your family
- 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
- Generous company pension scheme
- Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
- Annual performance-based bonus
- PA share ownership
- Tax-efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)
Equality and Inclusion
We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward, and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Adjustments or Accommodations
Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on recruitmentenquiries@paconsulting.com.
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