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I recently completed a theoretical particle physics phd from a top 10 school, and to my chagrin, I was unable to land any postdoc position. Most of my phd work was related to next-to-leading-order QCD calculations, so I have a strong math background. For my phd work I was mostly forced into programming in fortran 77. I am self-taught on a bit of C++, and python.
Until that moment, I was laser focused on an academic career, and now I find myself struggling to figure out what to do next. I graduated in May, and have been struggling to find any work ever since. I'm apparently over-qualified for entry level positions, but under-trained for practically anything else. What are some careers that will actually look at a phd physicist?
In discussing quantitative finance with firms in Chicago, I get the impression they will take someone with a master in financial engineering over a phd physicist every time. Now that medical physics has its own masters programs that avenue seems out as well. Who hires particle theorists nowadays? Am I going to have to go back for yet more schooling?
Until that moment, I was laser focused on an academic career, and now I find myself struggling to figure out what to do next. I graduated in May, and have been struggling to find any work ever since. I'm apparently over-qualified for entry level positions, but under-trained for practically anything else. What are some careers that will actually look at a phd physicist?
In discussing quantitative finance with firms in Chicago, I get the impression they will take someone with a master in financial engineering over a phd physicist every time. Now that medical physics has its own masters programs that avenue seems out as well. Who hires particle theorists nowadays? Am I going to have to go back for yet more schooling?