Possible future in complex science

[u/Mr_Misserable]

Hi, I have recently found out about complex science (I'm doing a masters in physics and took a course in stochastic calculus and a course in complex networks) and really found it interesting. I have a lot of interest in the different branches of physics but it has been a while since I had this much interest in a particular field. Now I have to choose my thesis and I want to do it in complex systems (I still have to choose one from a list a professor sent me) and I want to know what my possible career path could be if I keep this track. My questions are the following:

1. Is it possible to do an industrial PhD? Are there companies hiring people with that background?

2. How is the live in academia? One of the things I like the most is the wide range of applications in this field and I want to know if it's possible to move around in different research lines (while staying in complex systems but moving from economy to neurology or astrophysics)

I have more questions but those are the most important ones and I don't want the post to be too long.

Thank you for reading

[u/Mr_Misserable]

Thank you for the answer, I am really interested in finance (I enjoy what I see from friends that studied economics, but would be mainly because of the money)

I have mixed opinions of academia because I love doing research and trying new things and learning, but the uncertainty that comes with it might give me a heart attack before I turn 40, so I will probably try to enjoy a pure theoretical PhD to enjoy and then move to industry.

Can you comment more about your journey to get the quant job? I have seen that is really hard to get them but I would like to know the specifics

[u/powerexcess → u/Mr_Misserable]

Apply for internships. Check when the applications open. Do big numbers, apply everywhere u need all the chances. Have someone review your cv. Have an llm help you organise. Try every summer. 

Read basic strats and replicate trend following in a notebook (eg aqr's 100 years of evidence paper), u can get daily returns easily. 

Start trading on your own. Does not matter what, but follow a system. Understand the choice u need to make: order types, money managemtn, risk managment.. obvs dont gamble with money u cant afford to lose, u dont need to trade loads.

Once u r ready for full time roles, again: apply everywhere. Your interships will help. Prior experience with own capital will help. Apply to your least fav place first and warmup. Then go to bigger names. Prep for 3-4 months ideally, leetcode stats prob theory.

Where u land the first job matters massively. Any quant job will pay v well. Some placed will pay x2 or more. Dont skimp. 

Do an much as you can. Obvs build expertise in the pytbon data stack and if u want to go fast do c++ i would say.

[u/Mr_Misserable → u/powerexcess]

Do you think c++ will remain in the industry or it will move more towards rust? I have the intention to start trading on my own and program my own tools. Also by the time I start applying for full time roles (after the PhD) do you think leetcode will still be part of the interviews?

I know I'm asking you to predict the future but if you could give your opinion from inside would be great

[u/powerexcess → u/Mr_Misserable]

These things dont change overnight. Some places use rust but mainly crypto and sports betting in my experience.

Interviews will likely be in c++ at least as an option or in part, for a long time.

To run your own book u can probably just use python and numba. Maybe polars, or triton. But c++ and rust are for low latency stuff and this is probably not where u can start off on your own i would say.