Research as a graduate student: how, where, why, what

1. Research as a graduate student: how, where, why, what Janet Tate Department of Physics Oregon State University 8 January, 2010

2. Outline This seminar Roles in research lab Expectations How to go about finding project My lab

3. This seminar • Student host each week send speaker timely reminder; & thanks introduce the speaker keep session on time, take questions. projector take attendance – copy in my mailbox • Discussion (i) Read ppt under “discussion” & engage faculty member in a topic about the discussion

4. Library session Librarian Uta Hussong-Christian will lead a session on electronic searches tailored to your needs. Read: Miller et al. AJP 77, 1112 (2009) Friday Jan 22; Autzen Classroom, Valley Library, Rm 2082 Email: Uta.Hussong-Christian@oregonstate.edu

5. Bottom Line Ph.D. is a research degree: goal is publication of original, significant research in peer-reviewed journal M.S. is a research degree: goal is publication of significant research The student is responsible for the progress: demonstration of capability for independent research is key You work very hard; efficiency & balance are key

6. Professor - conductor • Manages research • Big-picture person, must know literature • Writes grants to get $$ • Provides & receives ideas, is a sounding board • Writes papers, and assists students in writing • Gives talks, keeps contacts with colleagues • Mentor, connects you with others, provides development opportunities • Often has his or her own research project in addition to management • Has significant teaching and administrative duties outside of research

7. Grad student - musician • Always has his or her own research project • Manages day-to-day operations on specific project (takes measurements, does calculations, writes code, purchasing, maintain lab supplies …) • Keeps abreast of literature • Writes thesis, papers • Give talks • Mentor undergraduates & peers • Learns the field and connections to other fields • Provides & receives ideas • Seeks contact with peers • May assist in grant-writing

8. Post-doc - musician/first violin/soloist • Super-grad student; mini-professor! • Manages day-to-day operations overall • Always has his or her own research project in addition to management • Very much on top of literature in broad sense • Writes papers, and assists students in writing • Mentor to graduate students, undergraduates • Provides & receives ideas, is a sounding board • Gives talks, keeps contacts with colleagues • Assists professor in grant writing

9. Undergrad student - apprentice musician/musician • Research on specific project, either independent or under direct supervision • Keeps abreast of literature on specific project • Write undergrad thesis • Gives talks, writes papers • May mentor peers • Provides & receives ideas

10. Research Activity

11. Professional Development • Broad knowledge is essential • Attend seminars, colloquia, conferences at every opportunity • Read, read, read, read! Journals, Physics Today … • Meet with visiting faculty, begin networking • Take courses, including short ones at conferences • Never lose sight of the goal to get research published • Independence is important, but so is communication and staying connected

12. Conducting Research • Be absolutely and scrupulously honest and ethical in all things - trust is essential. • Understand your equipment, methods & their limits • Be ultra-organized, keep excellent records • Your advisor needs your professional opinion • Find colleagues among your peers - they will be important people one day • Think about the next step in your career as you go along; early preparation is key

13. How to start • Start research early - don’t wait till comp exam is over • 1 credit (or more) of 501 - go to group meetings, read some literature, find out about group’s work, do some legwork in the lab. • Get a sense of the activity, whether you’ll find science interesting, the group dynamic comfortable • Try to find a position for the summer of Y1

14. How to start II • Rotate more in Y2 • Find advisor before end of Y2, do a bit of research • Prelim exam at end of Y2 or beginning of Y3 • PhD takes 3-4 years AFTER you’ve signed up. • MS - 2 full years for a thesis MS and you should be working by spring of 1st year.

15. How to start III • Read prof’s web page for info about research • Read a recent paper from group • Attend research seminar to get flavor of research and group • Approach prof to request more info • Ask about PhD or MS work • Ask about RA possibilities • 1 credit carries no obligation on either side, first experience • Ask where previous students have gone.

16. Career paths • Post doc at research university or national laboratory (1-2 yr, 1-2 such post-docs) • Professor at research university (teach+ research, research only, teach) • Professor at 4-year college • Faculty at Community College, High School • Industry research and development • Research staff position at National Lab, Defense Lab • Technical representative, sales, for equipment manufacturers • Law, politics, investment ….