How difficult is it to get into astro/cosmology?

[amesoeurs]

Hi all

I'm a first year physics student at UQ in Australia with a strong interest in philosophy (I'm taking intro philosophy this semester and philosophy of modern physics next semester, a second year course).

I have a friend who's starting his honours project in cosmology, but he's incredibly smart. Perfect GPA for all his third year courses and he reads a lot. I'd love to get into research like that. Anyone have some tips? I think reading and philosophy, and the critical thinking skills I gain from it will give me a good edge. I'm starting second year astro next semester too (it's still first semester in Australia).

 

[fasterthanjoao]

As a career? Cosmology is very difficult to get into. There are hundreds of threads on this forum about the difficulties of getting a job in astronomy generally.

 

[twofish-quant]

As a career? Cosmology is very difficult to get into. There are hundreds of threads on this forum about the difficulties of getting a job in astronomy generally.

However, it's not hard to get a Ph.D. in cosmology, and getting a faculty position in cosmology is no more difficult than getting a position in any other field of astronomy (like for example planetary science).

The important thing about cosmology is not to get too philosophical and abstract.