Career switch from biomed to maths/physics? Too old?

[xcss]

Hello PF inhabitants,

I have just finished 5 years of university culminating in a Master's degree in biomedical science. I now work in a genetic diagnostics lab. Problem is I always had a deep 'urge' to do something quantitative and I always liked the seemingly inapplicable aspects of maths/physics (at least from what I have been exposed to in layman science books).

I am considering retraining in maths/physics/programming but this will be a complete u-turn for me. I know some of you are knowledgeable in physics into finance transitions and wonder what is your opinion on such a career path change?

Also, if I went all the way to do PhD in physics, would I be too 'old' to get into entry-level roles in finance if I am unable to find a position in academia? I am 24 now, and at the soonest I would start my new degree next year. I feel like completely retraining would put me at a major disadvantage when I start looking for jobs due to my age.

Any opinion or comments would be much appreciated.

 

[chill_factor]

Why not biophysics, biomedical engineering, biophysical chemistry or materials science (in biomaterials)?

That way you'll get the quantitative training you want. Biomolecule/biomaterial spectroscopy, crystallography, simulation, computational genetics and medical device design are highly quantitative. I know some labs that do ultrafast X-ray diffraction studies that image biomolecules with an extremely short X-ray flash, so fast that the protein or DNA can't even vibrate in that time. This requires lensless X-ray imaging techniques which are highly computational and train you in X-ray optics which is highly useful in biomedical research, biochemistry, security, materials science and electronics. Take a look at these guys: http://physics.asu.edu/home/people/faculty/john-spence

There's also a lot of work in optical spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning probe techniques, etc. There's also theoretical techniques in molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of biopolymer dynamics. There's a lot of physics and physical chemistry in biology, but sadly, its never taught in biology courses.

It also won't waste your biomedical background. It would be a smooth progression, unlike say... particle physics which is totally new.