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njhajj
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To be more specific, are there any statistics on the percentage of physics PHDs who want to become professors, and the percentage that actually do become professors?
njhajj said:To be more specific, are there any statistics on the percentage of physics PHDs who want to become professors,
njhajj said:and the percentage that actually do become professors?
njhajj said:To be more specific, are there any statistics on the percentage of physics PHDs who want to become professors, and the percentage that actually do become professors?
mal4mac said:http://infoproc.blogspot.com/2008/09/survivor-theoretical-physics.html
A top 50 department (in the world) produces 3-5 PhDs a year in theoretical physics. If most of them only place a student every 5 years or so, that means the majority of their students end up doing something else!
One day in the theory lounge at LBNL Mahiko Suzuki (PhD, University of Tokyo) told me and some other shocked grad students and postdocs that about 1 in 4 theory PhDs from Berkeley would get permanent positions. His estimate was remarkably accurate.
The success rate for becoming a physics professor varies depending on factors such as the quality of the university, the competition for available positions, and the qualifications of the candidate. However, according to the American Institute of Physics, the overall success rate for obtaining a tenure-track faculty position in physics is around 10-15%.
To become a physics professor, one typically needs to have a doctoral degree in physics or a related field, such as astronomy or engineering. Additionally, most universities require candidates to have a strong research background and teaching experience, as well as excellent communication and leadership skills.
While a PhD is not always required to become a physics professor, it is highly recommended and preferred by most universities. A PhD demonstrates a deep understanding and expertise in a specific area of physics, which is essential for teaching and conducting research at the university level.
The time it takes to become a physics professor varies depending on individual circumstances and the chosen career path. On average, it can take 8-10 years to obtain a PhD in physics, followed by 2-3 years of postdoctoral research experience before being considered for a tenure-track faculty position. Therefore, it can take approximately 10-13 years after completing a bachelor's degree to become a physics professor.
Some tips for increasing the chances of becoming a physics professor include obtaining a PhD from a reputable university, gaining research experience through internships and postdoctoral positions, networking with other physicists and professors, and honing teaching and communication skills. Additionally, publishing research articles and attending conferences can also help to make a candidate more competitive for faculty positions.