Funding Cuts

Jefferson Lab is facing huge cuts, like so much of the field right now.  I am feeling really discouraged about finding a job in this field, and this feeling just gets worse as I inch closer to graduation.  This shortsightedness in Washington is so very frustrating...

Comments

[Matt B.]

So your advice to a potential physics Phd seeker would be:

a) Do it, but be prepared to be homeless muttering to anyone who will listen about the reality of Calabi-Yau spaces.
b) Run away!
c) Plastics

[Geoffrey Alan Cope]

In response to letter (A):

I don't recommend homelessness for everyone, but do use those group theory methods for the human genome. Here's where the money went instead of going to Jefferson Lab. Not too far away, but far enough!

http://cancergenome.nih.gov/media/news.asp

[Geoffrey Alan Cope]

In response to letter (B):

Try running as fast as c. Tell people you're doing numerical relativity.

http://www.supercomputingonline.com/article.php?sid=10046

[Geoffrey Alan Cope]

In response to letter (C):

You'll need lots of quantum mechanics for the new plastics!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051215/sc_nm/europe_nanomedicine_dc

It's the new alchemy... turning plastics into gold!

[Geoffrey Alan Cope]

There is, of course, none of the above as an option. Los Alamos and Sandia are really the only two things keeping the entire state of New Mexico afloat... except for that nice little space port that Richard Branson will be putting in.

Don't fret too much about being a homeless nuclear physicist for hire. You can be an astronaut... for real!

http://www.spaceadventures.com/

[Geoffrey Alan Cope]

Oh, and one last thing! If being a homeless nuclear physicist who is waiting in line for an astronaut position doesn't sound enticing, the NSA is hiring. Don't worry about sending them a resume, as I'm sure they already have it on file!