摘要:

Federal policy, as most clearly defined by funding patterns, has been a very significant force in the tremendous surge in physics over the past thirty years. Funding has leveled in recent year and this has caused great stresses between static support and expectations reflecting earlier growth. In the current social and fiscal environment the progress of physics is becoming more and more inseparable from the compromises of politics. Physicists should seriously consider a more active and systematic lobbying role on behalf of our discipline.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31084

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Twenty six American male, post Ph.D. qualifying exam students in the UMCP physics program were interviewed this June in order to probe why they had chosen their research subfield. The results were analyzed in terms of the relative weights given to, and the degree of overlap between, the student’s inherent interests and the economic realities of the job market. Some conclusions are drawn and suggestions made. (Preconference versions of the paper are available from the author.)

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31085

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

I joined the staff of the Westinghouse Research Laboratories in 1954 and I have been with Westinghouse ever since, except for a recent two‐year stint as the Science Attache at the American Embassy in London. In retrospect, the industrial research environment has happened to suit my particular life goals extremely well. For this Conference, I was asked to comment on the problems, challenges and opportunities confronting a physicist attempting to develop a career in a large industrial company. I believe that what I have to say is fairly generally applicable for high technology corporations in the United States, but of course some of it will be specific to Westinghouse.My talk consists of essentially three parts, first, some historical background on Westinghouse and its Research Laboratories, second, some facts on the employment of physicists and other technical personnel at the Westinghouse RD Center and in the Company as a whole and third, some personal views on what it takes for a physicist to survive and prosper in the large industrial environment.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31086

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31087

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

That a large government laboratory can also be a great research center is well substantiated. Both applied and fundamental research can flourish in such a center notwithstanding its mission orientation. Just as in the non‐governmental labs, the applied research is often challenging and intellectually stimulating. Sometimes it is pedestrian—a trouble due in part to a civil service system that confers tenure rather prematurely. On the other hand, job security boosts morale and attracts some talented young scientists disenchanted with indefinite postponement of tenure elsewhere. In a highly diversified laboratory, complex scientific problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach can be tackled more efficiently than professional advancement, especially for those having broad training and interests. (Unfortunately, most advertisements for vacant research positions demand a high degree of specialization.) Opportunistic hustling for grants and contracts—a syndrome not unknown to academia and industry—is prevalent; it takes the time not only of managerial ’’operators’’, but also of research workers. Historically, a substantial proportion of pure (i.e., non‐programmatic) research has been encouraged in some government labs. This has been an invaluable stimulus and a source of strength. Lately, social and political pressures have been eroding the vitality of fundamental research. Science, as well as technology, should certainly respond to societal needs. But the pendulum has swung too far. Should the obsession with ’’relevance’’ not be moderated, then the climate and scientific stature of the laboratories would suffer, and they would find it difficult to attract the ablest scientists. Inevitably, the ’’D’’ component of their R‐and‐D mission would suffer too.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31088

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Today, opportunities for the physicist lie largely off‐campus. Less than one physicist in two is now employed by an educational institution; one in three is working in a ’’nontraditional’’ capacity. This migration of physicists into nonacademic positions is expected to increase in the future. This paper looks at the various options for physicists in the Federal Government—the Nation’s single largest employer of scientists and engineers. Typical careers in the various types of Federal agencies are described. The increasing need for scientists with breadth of perspective in policy analysis and decision making is discussed. Opportunities and means of entry into such nontraditional careers are explored; strategies fro individuals interested in non‐academic careers are outlined.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31089

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Bioengineering offers a career opportunity often overlooked by physics students. Many graduate programs in bioengineering will accept students with a baccalaureate degree in Physics. Our experience with such students is limited but quite good. At the Ph.D. level bioengineers generally are involved in research in medicine or physiology, and are concerned with development of instrumentation, prosthetic devices and sensory aids; applicaiton of mathematical‐physical principles to the analysis of physiological systems; and determination of physical properties of biological materials. Examples include pressure‐flow relations in the cardiovascular system, gas exchange in the pulmonary system, electric and magnetic fields of the heart and brain, biomechanics, effects of non‐ionizing radiation and ultrasound. An area of considerable interest is that of imaging, which utilizes ultrasound, x‐rays, non‐ionizing radiation, electric currents, light, heat, etc. to provide information concerning the spatial organization of the interior of the body.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31090

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The ’’art of welding’’ is rapidly giving way to what is now being described as the ’’science of welding.’’ The welder is being replace by highly sophisticated automatic machinery. For such a changeover to occur with high reliability and success, fundamental physics studies of various welding processes are needed. At a recent conference on ’’Welding RD‐‐Problems and Opportunities1’’ it was suggested that a central organization be designated to coordinate needed scientific research and development. It was emphasized that ’’more talented physicists are needed in the welding research and development field.’’ Having recently been extracted from the world of nuclear physics and implanted within the welding community, I can attest with first hand experience that welding is a ripe and exciting field for the physicist to enter. Basic unsolved problems in welding that will challenge the most academic‐oriented physicist are discussed.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31091

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The precedent for physicists to apply their analytical orientation and mathematical skills to areas beyond physics is well established. Opportunities to continue this tradition now exist in business, in such fields as economic, financial and investment analysis, mathematical and computer modeling, operations research, actuarial science, and related areas. The academic, corporate, and consulting settings for these activities, and their nature and character are described. The requisite background and methods of entry for for physicists are discussed.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31092

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The author made the transition from an academic position in high energy physics to an industiral position in applied mathematics and analysis in June, 1973. This talk will compare several aspects of these positions, emphasizing the relative intellectual challenge and career satisfaction of the two. In the process, it will demonstrate a much closer similarity in the nature of day to day job activities associated with the positions that might intuitively be expected. The author’s views on the strengths and weaknesses of a typical physics education as preparation for such an industrial position will also be presented.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.31093

出版商:AIP    

年代:1978

数据来源: AIP