Is it possible for an engineer to get to research in theoritical physics?

Question

If I study engineering in Electronics, do I have any prospects to get back to research in pure theoretical physics? If it is possible, please describe in detail...

Answer 1

Not unless you had the education in Th. Phys. prior. If not, you'd have to have one amazing bit of talent to do so.

Answer 2

Indeed it is.

I spent 5 years working at a University on Muon detectors for a particle collider.  Then I moved into the commercial optical sector and there are always R&D projects going that require some theoretical work.

Just got to keep your eyes open and if you are still in school get to be buddies with some Physics grad students.

Answer 3

You could use your electronic skills to do experimental physics. Without experimental physics, theoretical physics could not exist whatever the theoreticians say. I am a EE, and used those skills to do a basic study of Field Emission, leading to a higher degree. The field emission cathodes that I studied are now widely used in the fabrication of ICs, particularly memory chips.

So it was a satisfying experience, but not a purely theoretical one.

Answer 4

Of course!  Your degree in engineering might not give you the same background in theoretical physics as a physics degree might, but I've noticed that research labs really seem to appreciate the engineering approach to their work...

of course, all I have to substantiate this is the fact that I'm a recent grad in mechanical engineering who's had one internship in optics (mixture of applied and theoretical) and is now working at another internship in theoretical acoustics... neither one of these is particularly related to mechanical engineering but the opportunities were there and I took them.

It's not really possible to describe your prospects in detail - just keep an eye out for opportunities at your university and let people know you're interested in working for them!  With good grade, a good attitude, and a good major (engineering!) you can go anywhere.  Literally, anywhere.  My optics internship was in Germany and the current one is in Spain!

Answer 5

Theoretically

Answer 6

Anything is possible, but if you really want to do theoretical physics, that would be doing it the hard way.  Why not start with a degree in theoretical physiscs?