A Career as a Physicist What does a physicist do? Carries out research in various branches of physics: solid state physics, atomic physics, particle physics, astrophysics, lasers, plasma physics, atmospheric physics, space sciences, etc. Vast field – some examples CERN (LHC) Dark matter ~ 10 Luminous matter Ozone Hole over Antarctica What does a physicist do? Carries out research in various branches of physics: solid state physics, atomic physics, particle physics, astrophysics, lasers, plasma physics, atmospheric physics, space sciences, etc. How? Experimentalists – Use accelerators, lasers, telescopes, etc. Theorists – Interpret, Suggest new possibilities What does a physicist do? Carries out research in various branches of physics: solid state physics, atomic physics, particle physics, astrophysics, lasers, plasma physics, atmospheric physics, space sciences, etc. Why do Physics? Enjoy the challenge Study the unknown Chain of technological advancement : Physicist  Engineer  Businessperson Some areas directly applicable Where does a physicist work? In India : Research Institutes (PRL, IPR, TIFR, IISc, …) Some Universities Applied Research Centres (Govt.) (BARC, ISRO, CSIR labs) Some Industrial Research Centres Abroad : (USA) Universities Research Institutes Industrial Research Centres How do you become a physicist? B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. B.Sc.: IIT/IISER/BITS/college Coursework insufficient Read more books (Halliday-Resnick, Griffiths …) Work on projects in research institutes through formal or informal programmes Improve your English M.Sc.: Solve problems Important to study at a good University/Institute Continue to read good texts Projects, Summer Programmes Written test Doing your Ph.D. New phase – start research, scholarship/stipend In India Universities Admissions based on M.Sc. marks and/or written test/UGC-CSIR-NET Contact Registrar of the University for application form Research Institutes conduct a written test and an interview Contact the Institute for application form Some institutes have a common entrance exam: JEST UGC and CSIR offer fellowships Research Institutes give stipends See homepages for info Doing your Ph.D. Abroad (USA) Criteria for Admission (US universities) B.Sc. and M.Sc. marks, GRE, letters of recommendation, an essay, research projects [1 year process – M.Sc. II] English Proficiency: TOEFL Universities offers tuition waiver or tuition waiver plus stipend Pursuit of Ph.D. without a stipend is difficult to sustain What after Ph.D.? In India: Colleges/universities/IITs teaching and research (DST grants) Research institutes (PRL, IPR, TIFR, IISc,..) primarily research ISRO (Space), BARC (Nuclear energy), DRDO (Defence) A few industrial research centres (Unilever, ..) Academic freedom Abroad: Universities teaching and research Research institutes mainly research Industrial research centres (IBM, XEROX, Bell Labs, ..) Post-doctoral positions Final Remarks Challenging, freedom of work (academic institutions) Excellent opportunities to work with high end technology Get to see the world, meet many people, come across ideas… Final Remarks Freedom of work (academic institutions) Excellent opportunities to work with high end technology Get to see the world, meet many people, come across ideas… No guarantee Medium range salaries Talk to scientists, work on projects to decide for yourself if a career in physics is suited for you. Many have done it Final Remarks Freedom of work (academic institutions) Excellent opportunities to work with high end technology Get to see the world, meet many people, come across ideas… No guarantee Medium range salaries Talk to scientists, work on projects to decide for yourself if a career in physics is suited for you. http://www.sayantanghosh.50megs.com