my perspectives on a postdoctoral fellowship in theoretical physics sean barrett department of...
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My perspectives ona Postdoctoral Fellowship
in theoretical physics
Sean Barrett
Department of Physics,Imperial College, London
Career to date
• Ph.D. in Cambridge, 1999-2002
• EU funded postdoc, HP labs, Bristol, 2003-2005
• Postdoc, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Oct 2005 – March 2006
Career to date
• Ph.D. in Cambridge, 1999-2002
• EU funded postdoc, HP labs, Bristol, 2003-2005
• Postdoc, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Oct 2005 – March 2006
• EPSRC Postdoctoral fellow, Imperial, April 2006-
What I do• Quantum computing, mostly
Condensed matter physics Atomic, molecular, optical physics
Information theory Computer science
What I do• Quantum computing, mostly
Condensed matter physics Atomic, molecular, optical physics
Information theory Computer science
• Figuring out how to build one (~ 80%)
Condensed matter or atom/optical implementations
New Scientist, March 2006
What I do• Quantum computing, mostly
Condensed matter physics Atomic, molecular, optical physics
Information theory Computer science
• Figuring out how to build one (~ 80%)
• Figuring out how the world works (~20%)
Condensed matter or atom/optical implementations
Explaining anomalous experiments
Fundamental limits on technology
New Scientist, March 2006
Previous experiences
• EU funded basic research at an Industrial lab
• Pros:• Lots of opportunity to travel, build collaborations.• Wrote/coauthored a lot of papers (~15 in 2 years). A couple of these may turn out to be important.• ££££! (4-5k more than now).
Previous experiences
• EU funded basic research at an Industrial lab
• Pros:• Lots of opportunity to travel, build collaborations.• Wrote/coauthored a lot of papers (~15 in 2 years). A couple of these may turn out to be important.• ££££! (4-5k more than now).
• Cons:
• Little in-house basic research outside of QC. Isolation.• Too many papers / collaborations. Stressful.• Certain amount of administrivia (Annual reports, project meetings)• Intellectual freedom somewhat curtailed
Two ways of doing research1. Always ask the questions: How can I lengthen my publication list? How can I maximise my citation count?
How can I optimize [some other bean count]?
How can I keep my boss happy?
Two ways of doing research1. Always ask the questions: How can I lengthen my publication list? How can I maximise my citation count?
How can I optimize [some other bean count]?
How can I keep my boss happy?• Can be a good idea, early on
Two ways of doing research1. Always ask the questions: How can I lengthen my publication list? How can I maximise my citation count?
How can I optimize [some other bean count]?
How can I keep my boss happy?• Can be a good idea, early on
• But can lead to:
• Technique driven research
• Dilettantism, bandwaggon jumping
• Boredom
Two ways of doing research2. Always ask the questions: What are the major goals in my (sub) field? Why have they not been achieved yet?
Can I do something to contribute? Are there good ideas from elsewhere I can pull in?
Will it be beautiful?
Two ways of doing research2. Always ask the questions: What are the major goals in my (sub) field? Why have they not been achieved yet?
Can I do something to contribute? Are there good ideas from elsewhere I can pull in?
Will it be beautiful?
• More risky. Might spend a lot of time on a hard problem with nothing to show for it.
Two ways of doing research2. Always ask the questions: What are the major goals in my (sub) field? Why have they not been achieved yet?
Can I do something to contribute? Are there good ideas from elsewhere I can pull in?
Will it be beautiful?
• More risky. Might spend a lot of time on a hard problem with nothing to show for it.
• But can lead to:• Idea driven research• Original / important results• Fun
Why a fellowship is awesome• Can spend more time on `type 2’ research
• Less immediate pressure to publish / apply for jobs or more money• More time to learn new things / develop wacky ideas• Ultimately leads to (one hopes!) interesting publications• Relatively low admin load (once you have the fellowship)
Why a fellowship is awesome• Can spend more time on `type 2’ research
• Money • Opportunities to travel• Conferences / seminars• Build collaborations
• Less immediate pressure to publish / apply for jobs or more money• More time to learn new things / develop wacky ideas• Ultimately leads to (one hopes!) interesting publications• Relatively low admin load (once you have the fellowship)
Why a fellowship is awesome• Can spend more time on `type 2’ research
• Money • Opportunities to travel• Conferences / seminars• Build collaborations
• Less immediate pressure to publish / apply for jobs or more money• More time to learn new things / develop wacky ideas• Ultimately leads to (one hopes!) interesting publications• Relatively low admin load (once you have the fellowship)
• Environment • Imperial/London/UK is a great place to do science• Can also spend 12 months elsewhere
Why a fellowship is awesome• Can spend more time on `type 2’ research
• Money
• Freedom
“Its the greatest job in the world for one very simple reason..... the fact that I don't have a boss. Picture that, if you will, and then envy me.”
• Opportunities to travel• Conferences / seminars• Build collaborations
• Less immediate pressure to publish / apply for jobs or more money• More time to learn new things / develop wacky ideas• Ultimately leads to (one hopes!) interesting publications• Relatively low admin load (once you have the fellowship)
• Environment • Imperial/London/UK is a great place to do science• Can also spend 12 months elsewhere
How to get one• Prepare
• Figure out a proposal that would fill 3 years• Balance between concrete research and exciting stuff
How to get one• Prepare
• Spend time on the application
• Figure out a proposal that would fill 3 years• Balance between concrete research and exciting stuff
• Put as much effort in as you would writing a paper• Tick all the boxes
How to get one• Prepare
• Spend time on the application
• Get advice / feedback
• Figure out a proposal that would fill 3 years• Balance between concrete research and exciting stuff
• Put as much effort in as you would writing a paper• Tick all the boxes
• Run your proposal by existing fellows and senior people• EPSRC also can help (sample proposals, advice, etc.)• Practice your talk
How to get one• Prepare
• Spend time on the application
• Get advice / feedback
• Figure out a proposal that would fill 3 years• Balance between concrete research and exciting stuff
• Put as much effort in as you would writing a paper• Tick all the boxes
• Run your proposal by existing fellows and senior people• EPSRC also can help (sample proposals, advice, etc.)• Practice your talk
• Be lucky!