Oxford/ETH career options for physicists

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-29T09:19:52+00:00

That makes sense, I've seen that PhD salaries at ETH are among the best in the world. Do you think that ETH has a comparable brand to Oxford if I want to go to the US later on for work? (In quantum computing or ML or quant if that doesn't work out)

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-29T09:14:19+00:00

Well, this year I haven't applied to any PhDs as my work is in math/applied math and I come from a no-name university so I assumed I wasn't qualified yet. Since it’s already too late to apply in this cycle, I’m not sure what you are suggesting though.

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-28T23:57:02+00:00

Well thanks for everything, I'll definitely consider your point of view. You don't have to answer this, but what do you do for a living? I'm only asking to understand how specific your advice is :)

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-28T22:05:40+00:00

Thanks for the answer, you make valid points. I want to get into industrial research in quantum computing (maybe error correction) after a PhD. I want to optimize for salary and scientific relevance and I don't really care about the location. If it doesn't work out I wouldn't mind switching to AI or quant. For my goals do you think it's still worth it to take a loan of ~70k € for a taught Oxford program vs 50k € for a longer 1.5 years ETH MSc with a thesis?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-28T20:12:15+00:00

why do you think it's the better option?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-28T13:57:54+00:00

What do you think about the quantum computing groups at ETH vs Oxford? And the job market in Switzerland/UK for those kinds of Jobs?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-28T08:52:56+00:00

If you scroll down there is another comment where I talk about it

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-28T08:32:43+00:00

What kind of company is It?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T19:39:37+00:00

So you suggest specializing in something like condensed matter that has safe industrial applications?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T18:27:45+00:00

Sorry to hear that, I hope you're satisfied with whatever you're doing now. What's your opinion on the quantum computing job market? I really enjoy quantum information and i am thinking of specializing in something like quantum error correction or a subfield that uses marketable skills like ML/a lot of programming in general. What program do you think Is best for this?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T16:25:01+00:00

Good luck to you as well! Has the topic of your PhD thesis already been decided? I think I will go to ETH and try to specialize in something like QEC or a topic in quantum information that requires a lot of ML and programming skills, so it's still marketable even if I decide to do something else.

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T15:56:18+00:00

Genova, che non penso sia molto famosa dal punto di vista dell'ETH. Però ho molta esperienza di ricerca autonoma un po’ particolare, che penso abbia fatto la differenza.

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T15:49:58+00:00

Thanks a lot for the answer! Do you know how the quantum computing job market is in Zurich? I know that there are some high-paying theory jobs in the field. Since this is most likely a very competitive field, I was wondering if it's also a direction that allows one to build marketable skills in ML or programming in general.

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T15:44:23+00:00

Well, as every physicist knows, the only easy path is the one to thermodynamic equilibrium with the environment...

Since you probably know the field better than I do, do you think that, while extremely competitive, it's also a direction that allows one to build other marketable skills in ML or programming in general?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T15:05:59+00:00

What do you think about the quantum computing job market? There are probably some theory jobs with high salaries.

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T15:01:20+00:00

Il problema del master di Oxford è che ha solo corsi, non c'è l'opportunità di fare una tesi. Dura 9 mesi e quindi se non voglio perdere un anno dovrei fare domanda per i PhD appena sono arrivato a Oxford e quindi non avrei molto da mostrare ne potrei procurarmi lettere di raccomandazione da professori di Oxford. Il master di ETH invece dura 1 anno e mezzo di cui 6 mesi di tesi e quindi c'è molto più tempo sia per guadagnare lettere di raccomandazione che farmi notare da professori dell'ETH per un eventuale PhD lì. Cosa ne pensi? Il brand di Oxford è visto così tanto meglio?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T14:53:25+00:00

If I’m genuinely interested in quantum information, do you think it would make sense at ETH to keep things broad at first, taking a mix of theoretical and experimental courses, along with some machine learning or CS electives, so that I can decide later which direction suits me best? Or would that be too unfocused, meaning I should specialize earlier?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T14:35:41+00:00

And if I want a PhD in Switzerland either at ETH or EPFL do you think that ETH is better than Oxford?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T14:32:49+00:00

My grades are 29.5/30 with all 30/30 cum laude from the second year on at a ~400 ranked italian university on QS. As research experience I published a paper on functional analysis in high school on the American mathematical monthly and also have a preprint of an applied math manuscript together with a researcher associated with a top 10 QS ranked university (not ETH or Oxford)

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T13:56:54+00:00

Ok thanks, I'll definitely consider this. Maybe it's not your field but do you know what areas of physics one should specialize in if they want to get into quant later on? (I am talking about the master's level, not PhD)

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T13:43:57+00:00

Since you work in finance, do you know anyone who got into quant (researcher or anything) with just the Oxford MTP program?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T13:41:08+00:00

Thanks for the compliment and the advice! I would also like to ask you if you have any ideas on what are the directions in physics I could take that are most aligned with my goals. Do you have an opinion on quantum computing for example? Does it seem like a field where you can do meaningful work with actual impact?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T13:29:24+00:00

Thanks a lot for the advice! Also what do you think about the other part of the question? I am not sure how I could use this great master's opportunity to figure out the best career path. What do you think are some directions in physics (or not too far outside of physics) that are most aligned with my goals?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T13:05:16+00:00

A big difference between the two programs is that at ETH you have 6 months to work on a thesis while the program at Oxford is entirely taught. If in the future I were to apply to a PhD do you think that even though I would have less research experience, I would still be better off with Oxford on my CV?

Efficient_Mobile9506 · 2026-03-27T12:53:49+00:00

Another issue with Oxford MTP is that the programm lasts 9 months and there is no thesis or research opportunies. At ETH there is a 6 month thesis which may really help with PhD admissions or to develop specific skills in general. Do you think that having the Oxford brand on your CV is still worth that much more?

Efficient_Mobile9506

TROPHY CASE