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'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.

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]

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.

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 going to 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]

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.

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]

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 going to 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.*

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

 

[twofish-quant]

Is there advantage of doing research in a developed country like US to a developing country like India? If yes, what are they?

Yes there are advantages. The US has more money and so that makes more money for physics. One other difference is that the US as a better educational and research ***system*** than most other countries. A lot of countries have one or two top universities. The US has a few top universities and then many, many others that are "pretty good."

You hear me complain about the US research university system, but don't be mislead. The reason I complain so much is that the US university *system* is a crown jewel, and I get very annoyed when it gets abused.

 

[arpit2agrawal]

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

Please tell me URL where I can see ranking specially for theoretical physics.

 

[Dickfore]

Please tell me URL where I can see ranking specially for theoretical physics.

I don't know.

 

[fizashah42]

Now a days theoretical physicists have a place in developing country like India but obviously US is the best place for theoretical physicists.

 

[nickbob00]

If you've heard of it, its probably 'not that bad', but the best still depends on which field you are most interested in. I would also look at continental Europe, Germany especially has some cool stuff going on, and I suspect fees are a lot less than UK/US. One downside is that you will need to pick up German at some point, even if the course is offered in English.

If you will be studying as an undergraduate, then just go for whatever physics departments seem to have a good course, as well as coming well in rankings. It goes without saying that top departments will have high entry requirements, as well as being inundated with applications from people who are probably qualified at least as well as you.

 

[I like Serena]

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

I copied and pasted your statement in Google and found the following results.

Globally in the world the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA comes out on top.
In the physics rankings it takes a 1st place (shared) as well, which is shared with 3 other universities (2011).
Princeton comes out 5th.

 

[Dickfore]

Notice the word 'Theoretical'.

 

[Mute]

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.

What do you consider to be "benefits"? If you would be happy doing physics in India, what would be enticing enough for you to be lured away to North America or Europe (assuming you're one of the few to be offered a position there)? You could always go outside India for grad school and postdocs and return to India if you can find a professorial job there.

 

[arpit2agrawal]

What do you consider to be "benefits"? If you would be happy doing physics in India, what would be enticing enough for you to be lured away to North America or Europe (assuming you're one of the few to be offered a position there)? You could always go outside India for grad school and postdocs and return to India if you can find a professorial job there.

By benefits I meant better resources (such as apparatus required for experiments), better researches around me, intelligent and knowledgeable professors, etc. If these benefits does really matter to theoretical physicists (which I don't know and want to know), I will prefer US or UK. Once I move to US or UK, I don't think I will return back to India. I want to take decision "now", as to settle down in India or US or UK.

 

[pessimist]

IMO becoming an established theoretical physicist in a developing country like India is a much better option, considering the fact that there are a lot of institutes coming up in the country such as TIFR, HRI and IISC. These and many other government funded institutes for theoretical research need more human resources, ie, professors etc and the possibility of finding a job is much more than in already established universities abroad having a fixed no. of professorships, most of whom are famous people who would not give their titles up.

At the end of the day,the theoretical physicist only works with pen, paper and computer. So resources are not a big deal really. But jobs are mostly as a professor/teacher cum research positions.

The Indian Institute of Science is ranked lowly, because it is specialized in a very small field of study. That along with institutes like TIFR, HRI, PRL and others have high international repute. Even institutes like Chennai Mathematical institute a university specializing in mathematics and theoretical physics has honorary members in the National Academy of Sciences, USA, which is a very respectable achievement.

Pay wise, I think the pay received by a TH. Phy in India or abroad is comparable.

 

[pessimist]

Please tell me URL where I can see ranking specially for theoretical physics.

These rankings are for teaching and post graduate research I assume and not for post postgraduate research.

 

[arpit2agrawal]

At the end of the day,the theoretical physicist only works with pen, paper and computer. So resources are not a big deal really. But jobs are mostly as a professor/teacher cum research positions.

I have my business in my hometown which pays me enough to live a luxurious life in India. And I get lots of free time also. If what you are saying is true, then can't I get a PhD from Indian institute like IISc and then settle down in my hometown handling my business and also doing research in theoretical physics sitting in my bungalow? Do theoretical physicists really need a research institute for doing research?

 

[pessimist]

No they don't. But I said that cause most Th. Physicists don't have businesses or another stable source of income other than research grants or professorships. You certainly do not need to be at a research institute.