Expert: Daniel Mazur - 6/2/2006

Question
Say if you want to be a professional scientist; a theoretical physicist who studies black holes, and string theory, what is the minimum degree you need to study this? Are young theoretical physicists, string theorists who just got their PHD just as good as older physicists and say string theorists who have say 20 years of experience?

Answer
Hello again Yevgeniy,
I forgot... the PhD study plus one or two post-doctorate appointments (2-4 years a piece) are considered a norm, before one becomes a permanent-position scientist or college associate professor.
But it you are really good during your PhD research, you can get recognized faster. In science, it's about your abilities... and just a bit of luck;-).
Cheers!
Daniel

Hi,

Theoretical physics is a field apart from my specialization, but ...

I think that on AVERAGE, older physicists are more experienced than fresh doctors. Younger ones, on the other hand, may be considered more daring, less worried about the amount of toil, more enthusiastic. You have to decide for yourself, what you are looking for in the physicist, what quality OTHER than age you want to evaluate.

To conclude, I think age is not related to being "better" or "worse" at anything, not even string theory. A vigorous scientist is young as good as old. And a chronical ragamuffin will not be of much use, regardless of age.

I hope I answered your question.
Take care,

Daniel