You mentioned mathematics. I am a math professor. Thinking about the most successful researchers I know, here is the list of major reasons they do it: 1. Becau

You mentioned mathematics. I am a math professor. Thinking about the most successful researchers I know, here is the list of major reasons they do it: 1. Because they love their subject area, and are excited about doing this work for its own sake. That's the entire list. If you're competing with that (and you mentioned top conferences, so rest assured you would be), then ulterior motives are only going to take you so far. Research consists of bashing a brick with your head for two years, and then being excited when it finally moves half an inch. I love research, and I do recommend it, but I have to think that there are easier ways to achieve your stated goals.