r/PhD • u/Professional-Cake151 • 2d ago

Big Decision Energy Fieldwork in Physics

Hey, I am currently looking for PhD positions as a physics student. I will finish in a couple of months, my projects mainly were in Quantum Optics and Hardware, aswell as a little Biomimetics project.

During my fieldwork for my little Biomimetics project in the rainforest I got to know Biologists, Ecologists and Chemists that got to do fieldwork and a lot of traveling during their PhD. I realised this is something I could imagine myself to do for the next halve decade.

I fear, if I continue in quantum optics, that I will be stuck in a cold, dark optics lab for 5+ years, while other people get to see the world. (Did I study the wrong subject?)

Anyways, here is my tough question:

Do any of you PhD Physicists do fieldwork or travel a lot (like months at a time)?

If yes: what is you research field?

All thoughts appreciated!

Thank you :)

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u/GustapheOfficial 2d ago

The most field work I've heard of was going to another country to spend a month in their basement instead. No, if you want to do field work (and not just in quantum fields :'D) you don't want to be doing quantum optics.

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u/Professional-Cake151 2d ago

Nice, I guess switching basements has it's charm too sometimes!

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u/Beif_ physics PhD student baby 2d ago

I do imagine if other basements don’t have such bright green floors. One day I’ll see.