PhD choice: Theoretical Astro or Instrumentation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process for choosing between two PhD scholarships in the fields of Space Instrumentation and Theoretical Astrophysics. Participants explore the implications of each choice on future career prospects, personal interests, and the nature of the work involved in each field.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that a PhD in instrumentation may offer more diverse career options and potentially higher pay outside of academia, while acknowledging the difficulty of securing faculty positions with a theoretical degree.
  • Another participant suggests that theoretical physicists might have better job prospects in software and finance due to their skills, but expresses doubt about their long-term happiness in a purely theoretical role.
  • Concerns are raised about the participant's average math skills and whether they would be suited for a theoretical project, with some suggesting that math skills can improve with practice.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of work in theoretical physics, with one participant questioning whether it would involve mostly computer work and differential equations.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of personal happiness in making the decision, suggesting that the choice should align with what the participant enjoys doing.
  • One participant shares that they ultimately decided to accept the instrumentation offer due to its unconditional nature and perceived lower risk, especially considering their current academic standing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the career prospects associated with each PhD path, with some favoring instrumentation for its practical applications and job security, while others argue for the potential advantages of a theoretical background. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which path is definitively better, as personal preferences and circumstances play a significant role.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the implications of their choices, particularly regarding job security, personal satisfaction, and the nature of work in both fields. There are also references to the challenges of obtaining tenure in academia, which may influence the decision-making process.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a PhD in astrophysics or related fields, especially those weighing the merits of theoretical versus practical research paths, may find this discussion relevant.

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Hi folks,

I am trying to choose between two PhD scholarships. They are both at the same university & both research groups have excellent reputations.

I'm being pressured by the university to make a decision by Monday. They're British PhDs so I'm assigned to my research topic right from the first day.

One is a Space Instrumentation related project. Probably something to do with future X-ray missions, working with two great nearing retirement profs who have had a lot to do with NASA and ESA throughout their careers.

The other is a Theoretical Astrophysics project doing N-body simulations of galaxy mergers and interactions, and preparing for data from a major space mission that will be launching just after the end of the PhD (so good post doc prospects?). This would be with a younger supervisor but still a full professor who is more organised and more keen, but who I wasn't so keen on when I met him. (Although it is evident that he liked me - he has made himself really available to answer questions about what we'd work on, unlike the Instrumentation guys.)

In my first degree (physics with astrophysics) and masters (satellite engineering/Martian environment) I've always erred on the practical side of things, so I was surprised to be offered a theory place. I've been trying to convince myself that I should go for the theory but I am under no illusions - I am only an average mathematician.

If I did go for theory, would I be stuck at a computer doing differential equations all day or do the theory PhDs get to go and do fun stuff too?

What are the prospects like afterwards?

Would I be mad?

Would I be excluded from doing anything practical ever again?

All thoughts welcome! Thanks in advance!
 
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With instrumentation you have more options once you get out for sure, you can stay in academia or work outside and probably get paid more. It depends on how much job security means to you. It is ridiculously hard to get decent faculty jobs, which is pretty much what you would be looking at with a theoretical degree. If your math skills are only average, I would probably lean to instrumentation, although math skills can improve of course with use/practice. I guess what it really comes down to is which one would make you happier in the long run which is by far the most important thing. But I do think that job finding would be easier with an instrumentation background. Who the hell knows. . .

Fun is relative, some people like doing DEs all day in front of a computer. Sick bastards.
 
Interesting. Thanks. Weirdly, I'd figured that Theory would give me better job prospects afterwards; in software and investment banking type positions especially, but also in academia: theory guys tend to survive the downtimes as all they need are pencils, paper and erasers, compared with the Instrumentation guys who need hundred million dollar satellites?

But, as you say, who knows! ...I don't think I'd be happy doing theory forever - especially as I get older, so as much as I might try to convince myself it would be a good idea right now, it probably isn't. Cheers.
 
Hey, don't base your decision on my (probably bad) opinion. There are jobs in the finance industry, they like programmers, and people with lots of statistical experience from what I hear. Once you get that job in academia, you're golden, hey if your tenured you have to try to get fired. It's just a beast trying to get tenured. Best of luck!
 
Thanks very much for your messages AstroRoyale. It was helpful to discuss it with you. The decision has been made: I was telephoned this morning by the university to say that the instrumentation offer is completely unconditional (Instrumentation will take me even if I fail my masters degree*) so I plan to accept that one as the least risky option just in case something does go wrong in the last couple of months of my masters degree. ;-)

Thanks!

*I still plan to pass it of course
 
Congrats, that's great news. Best of luck to you!

Cheers
 

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