Applied Mechanics PhD - Job prospects?

[Mépris]

Hi,

Prospective physics undergraduate. Interested in topics of applied mechanics - fluids, dynamical systems, biomechanics, etc. "How fish swim?" or "How bubbles go pop?" are questions I find myself interested in. Not saying I don't like fundamental physics, just that I am interested in such applied topics as well.

Are the job prospects, at least currently, for graduates with such a degree similar to those with PhDs in physics or are they slightly better, in that (somewhat directly?) relevant technical positions can be obtained? I understand that this near impossible for physics PhDs and was wondering what the situation may be in this field, which I suppose is just "applied mathematics and physics". While we're at it, are faculty positions more available in this field?

Thanks

 

[bigfooted]

Actually, 'how fish swim' and 'how bubbles go pop' are quite fundamental questions that are typically tackled by PhDs.
Here is a guy that does the 'how bubbles go pop' research:
Professor Detlev Lohse from U-Twente at: http://pof.tnw.utwente.nl/
Here is a guy that does 'how fish swim' research:
Dick Yue from MIT at http://meche.mit.edu/people/index.html?id=102
(he has a famous paper called 'hydrodynamics of fish-like swimming)

If you like such research questions, you will probably feel at home doing a PhD.

 

[OldEngr63]

If the politicians leave anything standing, the US Navy is a promising place for such research interests.

 

[icosane]

http://i.minus.com/iTUcddPursjrS.jpg