My perspectives ona Postdoctoral Fellowship

in theoretical physics

Sean Barrett

Department of Physics,Imperial College, London

Career to date

Career to date

• Ph.D. in Cambridge, 1999-2002

Career to date

• Ph.D. in Cambridge, 1999-2002

• EU funded postdoc, HP labs, Bristol, 2003-2005

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

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

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 research

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

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

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!

My perspectives ona Postdoctoral Fellowship

in theoretical physics

Sean Barrett

Department of Physics,Imperial College, London