A good time to join the graphene bandwagon?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of joining the rapidly growing field of graphene research, particularly in the context of pursuing a PhD. Participants explore the challenges and opportunities associated with emerging research areas, including competition, job market dynamics, and the potential for interdisciplinary transitions within nanoscience.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that the influx of researchers in graphene may make it difficult for new PhD students to achieve impactful work due to high competition and the fast pace of the field.
  • Another participant questions the future job market for PhD graduates in graphene, suggesting that a large number of graduates may face challenges if funding decreases after the initial boom.
  • A participant proposes that rather than focusing solely on becoming a graphene expert, it may be more beneficial to develop expertise in the broader category of thin films, which could offer more diverse opportunities.
  • Another participant supports this view, emphasizing the importance and versatility of thin films as a research topic with significant industrial potential.
  • One comment suggests a different perspective, encouraging a focus on investment in the field rather than purely academic research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the implications of joining a hot research field like graphene. While some agree on the potential challenges of competition and job market saturation, others highlight the broader opportunities available through related fields like thin films. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take in such a rapidly evolving area.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the uncertainty surrounding the long-term viability of the job market for graphene researchers and the potential for transitioning to other areas within nanoscience, indicating that these factors depend heavily on future funding and research trends.

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Graphene research has been going on for a decade now, with huge numbers of researchers piling into get a cut of the magic. I have a PhD offer in the topic of the mechanical properties of graphene, and I am pondering whether to accept and join the bandwagon myself.

I would be interested to hear people's experiences and opinions on situations like this, in which there is a sudden explosion in research in a completely new area. I have a few questions of my own:


1. Does the fact that so many people are in the field now mean that it will be harder to do a phd with a strong impact? With so many competitors who have been in the field a while, is it not harder for a student to catch up and do something worthwhile in their thesis when the pace of the field is so great?

2. What happens to the job market in these situations? Will the large cohort of phd students trained in the graphene boom years be in trouble when research subsides and funding decreases?

3. After my graphene phd, how easy would it be to move to a different area of research in the broader field of nanoscience/nanotech? If I had been trained in 2D materials, could I make the move to say microfluidics or microrobotics or similar?


I have little understanding or insight into the pro's and con's of joining emerging fields such as this, so would be grateful for any offered here. Cheers!
 
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I am wondering the same thing because I am considering joining a graphene research group when I start grad school this Fall.
 
The advantage of a hot field is that it is interesting and there are a lot of people working on it. The disadvantage of a hot field is that it is interesting and there are a lot of people working on it.

I think it is a mistake to think of this as a process that makes you a graphene expert. It would be much wiser to think of this as a process that makes you an expert in thin films and particularly mechanical properties of thin films.
 
^^very excellent observation considering that thin films are actually a very broad and important topic with lots of flexible avenues of study and potential in industry.
 
Be an investor rather than an investigator...
 

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