3 ms·

Ask HN: Tech jobs after physics postdoc?

I have a PhD in a physical science and am currently working as a postdoc at a US national lab. I love research but funding is limited in my area and permanent positions are increasingly unavailable. I'm looking to make the jump into some kind of tech job that uses my quantitative and computational skills. In 2022, I applied to dozens of data scientist positions in various industries but received only rejections. I accepted the postdoc after that. My postdoc does not end soon but I want to be ready to get a more stable job once it ends. What kind of tech jobs would hire somebody like me? I am a capable programmer in C, C++, Java, Python, and yes Fortran, and have a lot of experience writing programs for large supercomputers (parallel computing). I have also worked extensively in optimization and model development, which is basically machine learning but using techniques other than neural nets. I have tried to emphasize this in previous resumes but kinda feel like I am not using the right terms to express the work I did. I also worked in industry for several years before pursuing a PhD but I would prefer to not work in my previous industry.

Bostonian 3y ago
Many physics PhDs work as financial quants. A relevant site is wilmott.com .
solardev 3y ago
You ever thought about working in games? Engine code, physics, enemy AI, shaders, that sort of thing? Also, not sure why your post was flagged and dead. I vouched for it and hopefully it'll get resurrected?
- ja9YQRDMquYtguP 3y ago
  Thank you, I have thought about game physics several years ago after a discussion with a colleague at a former employer. I did not pursue it at the time and totally forgot about it until your post. It's a good idea and I'll give it a second look. Your post also reminded me that about work in physics-informed VFX for Hollywood. I'll add that to the list too. I appreciate the help.
  - solardev 3y ago
    Best of luck! It's a cool skillset to have, from someone whose physics background comprises mostly of tossing enemies off cliffs in Baldur's Gate 3.

Bostonian 3y ago

Many physics PhDs work as financial quants. A relevant site is wilmott.com .

solardev 3y ago

You ever thought about working in games? Engine code, physics, enemy AI, shaders, that sort of thing? Also, not sure why your post was flagged and dead. I vouched for it and hopefully it'll get resurrected?

ja9YQRDMquYtguP 3y ago
Thank you, I have thought about game physics several years ago after a discussion with a colleague at a former employer. I did not pursue it at the time and totally forgot about it until your post. It's a good idea and I'll give it a second look. Your post also reminded me that about work in physics-informed VFX for Hollywood. I'll add that to the list too. I appreciate the help.
- solardev 3y ago
  Best of luck! It's a cool skillset to have, from someone whose physics background comprises mostly of tossing enemies off cliffs in Baldur's Gate 3.