Desiring to Enter Physics Research; Seeking advice

[random_soldier1337]

Good day, ladies and gents.

I am an Indian student of Electronics and Communications engineering currently studying in India. However, I wish to do research in a field of physics. I'm not sure at the moment of which one since the number of how many interest me is too numerous (however, if you would like to know I will add a list at the bottom). Even more than that, though, I wish to live and earn my income solely for the purpose of researching and learning physics, maybe as much as I can of my field and as much as I can of it overall. Unfortunately, prospects here are limited for further education and research.

So I wanted to know how would I exactly maximize my chances of getting my preferred job in a region where an actual attempt at research is made?

Grades are obvious. I plan on giving the GRE after getting done with my engineering and then applying to a (hopefully) reputed institute. That much is obvious.

One of the things I think would help me more is if I knew exactly what skill sets I should possess and what areas I should have knowledge in. To be more specific what primary (e.g. physics/maths), secondary (e.g. programming), tertiary [e.g. language(s)/philosophy/general knowledge] should I possess that would augment my success at the field itself and when making dealings regarding said field? The reason I am asking is because I've heard it said quite often that while programming is not taught in school as a mandatory subject everywhere, current circumstances have made it almost as basic as mathematics, at least as far as technical fields are concerned. Then on top of that there is the fact that a lot of my education has minor gaps here and there on account of my family having to stay in different countries due to my mother's postings. For example, I didn't even know how to properly apply a limit until recently. Yes I was lazy earlier but since I was starting to see it far too often I realized couldn't do without it. I have also been fairly out of touch with physics proper for a while. So I want to make sure I have the requisite understanding of at least the fundamentals, if not any advanced topics. Don't be shy of suggesting and advanced ones on my account, however. Also if you could tell me a good place to start with (either textbooks or online), I would appreciate it.

The other thing is what aside from the whole GRE, getting recommendations and applying to an insitute of my choosing (which is doing well in the desired field), should I do, if anything?

Other suggestions and insights would also be highly appreciated.

TL;DR - Indian engineering student in India wanting to do physics research for a living. What all should be said and done to ensure this happens?

List of desired fields:
1. Particle Physics
2. Quantum physics in general or something specific such as
a. Quantum information science (computing, information theory, etc.)
b. Quantum Field theory/Quantum gravity (I'm not sure if there is anything to actually research)
3. Nuclear Physics/Engineering/Technology or Solar Physics (I'd love to aid in the research of fully realized fusion reactors)
4. Photonics
5. Photovoltaics
6. Renewable Energy Research in general
7. Astrophysics
8. Condensed Matter physics
9. Physics of computers/information (again not sure if there is anything left to research since a lot of it seems like it could fall into information theory)
10. I'm lumping these together because I'm not sure if there is any actual research into these or if there is any meaningful contribution to be made and some sound a bit metaphysical instead; topics like wormholes, uniparticle physics, theory of everything,string theory, scale relativity, m-theory, loop quantum gravity, causal sets, quantum mind

The following are not strictly physics but still sound interesting:
1. Dynamic systems theory (Control Theory, Chaos Theory, Quantum chaos, etc.)
2. Nanotech
3. Materials Science
4. Metamaterials
5. Neural Engineering
6. Study of Complex Systems

[ajb]

Normally, a PhD would be required for research positions, though some more engineering and technician positions may not.

 

With a good degree in electronics and communications engineering you maybe able to enrol on PhD studies or you could do a masters degree first.

 

As you are in India, you should think about a PhD in Europe or America.

[Klaynos]

I'd even suggest looking into doing a masters in Europe or north America. It'll make you look like a much better candidate.

[random_soldier1337]

Normally, a PhD would be required for research positions, though some more engineering and technician positions may not.

 

With a good degree in electronics and communications engineering you maybe able to enrol on PhD studies or you could do a masters degree first.

 

As you are in India, you should think about a PhD in Europe or America.

 

Could you elaborate why I should choose the masters first as opposed to directly enrolling in PhD were I to do that? If I do that where do I go to for it? Is there any reason for America or Europe in particular for further education other than what Klaynos mentioned?

[ajb]

Could you elaborate why I should choose the masters first as opposed to directly enrolling in PhD were I to do that?

If you do not quite have the background needed to start a PhD in your chosen area, doing a masters in that area could be an option. My advice would be not to do a masters if you can get on to PhD at a reasonable university doing something close to what you want to do. However, for some people it is the right thing to do.

 

If I do that where do I go to for it?

Hunt through the websites of the physics departments you are interested in. Many, but not all of the, will offer masters degrees.

 

Is there any reason for America or Europe in particular for further education other than what Klaynos mentioned?

Generally the educational standards are higher in America and Europe. Also you should be keen to be instructed in English as this is the language of science today. In fact, even if you stay in India, you should expect your education to be mostly in English.

[random_soldier1337]

All right. That's good. However, there is still one question. What skills should I develop? I elaborated that question in my original post.

Edited January 9, 2016 by random_soldier1337

[ajb]

What skills should I develop?

A good command of spoken and written English.

[random_soldier1337]

Anything else? Communication isn't a problem and I don't think I generally would fall prey to anyone but the worst grammar nazis.

[ajb]

Anything else? Communication isn't a problem and I don't think I generally would fall prey to anyone but the worst grammar nazis.

Right now the most important thing is to get good grades.

[random_soldier1337]

I had a question regarding the graduate physics course. Say if my application is falling just a bit short of satisfactory for any reason, would the mathematics GRE scores sway things just enough in my favour? I know that most schools don't give particular importance to the GREs and even when they do give substantial importance, it is only to the general and the physics GREs. So just thought I'd make sure if giving the mathematics GRE would be worth my while.

[ajb]

So just thought I'd make sure if giving the mathematics GRE would be worth my while.

Any physics course at postgraduate level will assume some mathematics, probabily not a lot more that you would naturally pick up doing an engineering degree. However, if you want to do something quite theoretical then the more mathematics the better. In my opinion, having good maths grades will be a bonus.