Best place for theoretical physicists

arpit2agrawal

Is there any "best" place (by place, I mean country or university or organization, whatever) for theoretical physicists? Is there advantage of doing research in a developed country like US to a developing country like India? If yes, what are they?

Thanks!

arpit2agrawal

Aren't there any theoretical physicists in this forum?

Pengwuino

No, there is no best place. There are really good universities and organizations for certain field of theoretical physics, but no "best" for all of theoretical physics as a whole. You'll also find that it is better to do research in developed countries since you have better resources and funding options in places such as the US, UK, Germany, or wherever.

arpit2agrawal

I heard theoretical physicists are not that much involved in experiments. If that is the case, what resources they would require for research? Actually I am from India and want to become a theoretical physicist. Is it advisable for me to leave my country and go to US or UK? What benefits I would get in US or UK?

Thanks!

arpit2agrawal

Please some theoretical physicist reply.

Thank you very much!

Ryker

I'm no theoretical physicist, but I think the lack of responses is telling, and if there was anyone that thought such a place existed and disagreed with what Pengwuino posted, you'd hear it by now.

Kevin_Axion

Actually, almost every person could answer it's just that all of the responses would be subjective and biased. You have to decide for yourself.

I like Serena

I know that if I ever would want to become a theoretical physicist, I would like to work on the Large Hadron Collider. I think that is where the major stuff happens. Or otherwise, the people there will know what else there is.

arpit2agrawal

I just want opinions of you guys on:
Is it advisable for me to leave my country and go to US or UK? What benefits I would get in US or UK?
Note: I want to stay with my family in India but I can still go to US or UK if I will get substantially more benefits there.

DrummingAtom

Don't take this the wrong way but there comes a point where you have to find the answers and not have some random internet people tell you what's best for *you.*

If I were you, I'd first figure out what field of physics you're interested in and then find universities with professors that specialize in that field. Email those professors and ask them questions about the programs. I did this several months ago and gained a ton of information and in some cases more so than I needed. Make sure you ask specific questions because some professors might be annoyed (and may not even respond) to a general "Tell me everything" type of question.

Once you find the programs that fit your needs, apply. Good luck.

arpit2agrawal

Actually I am not sure which field of Physics I will do research in but I am quite sure I want to become a theoretical physicist. I just want to know in general, is there any substantial benefit to a theoretical physicists of staying in US (or UK) over India.

DrummingAtom

I have to ask. Why don't you ask people in the field directly? Email professors, organizations, etc. You're obviously persistent, why don't you use that to your advantage? It's a little scary to think that you're gonna believe some random person on a public forum. This is a big decision in your life, why chance it on someone (that might not even be an actual physicist) telling you what's best for *you.*

I like Serena

My recommendation would be to start out where you can get to.
I presume that is a university in India.
While you are there, orient yourself on what there is and where that is.
There will be people there who know.
And it will give you an inkling of what area of physics interests you most.

After the first year relocate to your university of choice wherever that is.

arpit2agrawal

Yes. I'll email some professors of top US universities. And if I don't get any good advice, I will prefer US because I know US is good. It's just that I want to know whether India is equally good as far as theoretical research is concerned. I'll ask this to professors.

Top most university in India is "Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore" which falls in the rank range 301-400 in world universities ranking. So I don't think it's that good. Also, I don't think I can relocate myself from India to US in the middle of program.

Oriako

http://www.sns.ias.edu/

http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/

I like Serena

Well, then there is the matter of money.
I come from the Netherlands myself where the university is sponsored by the government.
I've been given to understand the the entrance fee to US universities is about 10 times as high as in my own country.

Dickfore

I think Princeton University has the highest ranking for Theoretical Physics.