Jobs in numerical simulations with a BSc in Physics?

[BearShark]

Just finished my Bs.c with a minor in CS. At the end of my degree I did a reserch project where I numerically solved a nonlinear PDE and enjoyed the numerical simulation work. What is the best path to do similar work in the industry? I don't mind simulating models from outside of physics, such as traffic flow.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

At the end of my degree I did a reserch project where I numerically solved a nonlinear PDE and enjoyed the numerical simulation work.

What did this amount to? It can include:

1. Deriving a numerical scheme and proving its convergence and stability.
2. Implementing this scheme in a programming language.
3. Using the implementation to solve specific problems

All three components are valuable and ideally all three interact in a joint work, but you may have a preference for one or the other. For example, if enjoy 1. then my advice might include further study of numerical mathematics, but if you prefer 3. then it might include further study and (industry) experience in specific application domain(s).

 

[BearShark]

I'd say I enjoy the latter. Would self studying include independent self studying outside of academia?

 

[S.G. Janssens]

I'd say I enjoy the latter. Would self studying include independent self studying outside of academia?

Yes, I would certainly say so, but it may be best if you complement this with an internship in industry in order to gain experience and contacts. The reason is that I understand you are mostly interested in using existing implementations of numerical algorithms to solve physical problems, so the challenge is in finding problems that are interesting and challenging rather than just expanding your knowledge.

I am more familiar with 1. and partially 2. rather than 3, so I think it would be nice to see what house-bot @jedishrfu has to say about your question.

 

[jedishrfu]

Your best bet is to just search on numerical and computational simulation jobs. Weather forecasting comes to mind as well as ocean currents or earthquake and volcano modeling.

Business forecasting and machine learning may incorporate methods of numerical simulations too.

So search using variations of numerical and computational too what comes up.

You could also check with your profs too as they will taught current and former students who now work in the field.

Look for jobs that require MATLAB experience too. H

Lastly as an aside, the Open Source Physics site has java based examples and code and a book on a wide variety if simulation techniques.

 

[Locrian]

Looking through operations research jobs might also lead to something interesting.