Questions tagged [career]
For questions about careers and jobs in mathematics (inside and outside academia)
178 questions
110
votes
9
answers
36k
views
How do you not forget old math?
I am trying to not forget my old math. I finished my PhD in real algebraic geometry a few years ago and then switched to the industry for financial reasons. Now I get the feeling that I want to do a ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
769
views
Is it all right to invite a professor to cowrite a paper
I managed to improve the techniques of a year-old paper to get a significantly stronger result. I used original ideas, but a large part relies upon results of the original paper. (to the point that ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
2
answers
661
views
Which fields of mathematics are most straightforward for a statistician to do research in, other than probability theory?
I have a Ph.D. in Statistics and have always been interested in pure mathematics, but never had a chance to really pursue it. My mathematics background includes real analysis, linear algebra, ...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can learning Riemann surfaces be more beneficial than numerical analysis for an analyst?
I am in master program of mathematics, specialized in PDE and numerical analysis. Now I am trying to decide which classes to take for next semester. Of course I want to become an expert in my field, ...
- 10.5k
31
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Pros and cons of specializing in an esoteric research area
If a mathematician specializes in a popular research area, then there are many job positions available, but at the same time, many competitors who are willing to get such job positions. For an ...
- 30.3k
30
votes
4
answers
7k
views
When to start reviewing
Recently I had a few papers published, and I suppose in response to this, I received a request from Zentralblatt to be a reviewer. They ask some general questions about what I would feel comfortable ...
- 63.9k
51
votes
8
answers
14k
views
The "derived drift" is pretty unsatisfying and dangerous to category theory (or at least, to me) [closed]
I'm currently a young, not-so-young mathematician, finishing its second postdoc. I developed an interest for rather different topics in the last few years but constantly, slowly converged towards ...
- 49
61
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Is it possible to have a research career while checking the proof of every theorem that you cite?
A colleague raised the above question with me; more precisely he said:
Suppose that a mathematician were resolved not to publish any theorems
unless they had checked the proof of every theorem ...
22
votes
6
answers
2k
views
When to split/merge papers?
I ran into the following problem. I have some lengthy paper in which I develop some theory to attack some problem. While I was working on this paper, I got some nice result which might interest a ...
- 44.4k
44
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Publishing a Simple Paper as an Undergraduate
First off I apologize if this question does not belong here, I would be happy to hear about any better locations to post this on.
I am a (first year) undergraduate mathematics student, and I recently ...
- 30.3k
14
votes
1
answer
3k
views
A paper seems to have completely disappeared from editor's hands
I have submitted a paper to a journal on June 2017. The corresponding author is my coauthor. The first response of the editor was after a year, June 2018:
Your paper has been sent, consecutively, ...
- 18.7k
2
votes
1
answer
273
views
Can NSF Broader Impact be an unrelated volunteer activity? [closed]
I’m a graduate student preparing to apply for an NSF fellowship and I volunteer a few hours a week working on what I think is a pretty important cause. It has nothing to do with my research or science ...
- 8,529
50
votes
15
answers
6k
views
What math institutes offer research in pairs/research in teams?
Some math institutes offer programs in which a small number of researchers are enabled to meet at the institute for a week or more. A list seemed as if it could be useful.
- 60.6k
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Ways to help a math PhD out of depression [closed]
I have a friend who is having trouble in his math PhD career and is recently down with depression. He has decided to take a break from research and receive some medication. To help him recover faster ...
- 6,259
1
vote
0
answers
202
views
Doubts related Shifting from Pure to Applied math [closed]
I am a second year (Pure) Math and (Theoretical) Physics undergraduate in India. I want to do a masters in Applied/Computational Science or Math, for which I have apply after next 7 months.
I have ...
- 6,377
76
votes
6
answers
36k
views
Are there examples of (successful) NSF mathematics proposals available anywhere online?
As anyone who has ever applied to the NSF for a grant knows, such a proposal is a slightly odd piece of writing, not quite like anything else mathematicians are called upon to write. As such, it's a ...
- 188k
0
votes
1
answer
262
views
Thematic programs for collaborative research (similar to the one in Bonn) [closed]
The Hausdorff Institute in Bonn periodically organizes thematic junior trimester programs, which "give young mathematicians (postdocs, junior faculty) the opportunity to carry out collaborative ...
- 11.3k
23
votes
0
answers
514
views
"Matchmaking website" for project-specific mathematical collaborations [closed]
It seems that even in the age of Internet, most mathematical collaborations are born (and pursued) off-line.
However, I wonder if there exists a "matchmaking website" for mathematical ...
CommunityBot
- 1
11
votes
2
answers
848
views
How to organize collaborations? Managing shared library and LaTeX document
What is an effective way to organize collaborations with several people on the same paper? How do you arrange the $\LaTeX$ document, the shared (digital) papers library, and other aspects?
More in ...
CommunityBot
- 1
43
votes
11
answers
8k
views
Research topics restricted to students at top universities?
Hello everybody.
I am a Ph.D student in North America looking for advice about my prospective research area.
My supervisor works in a research area, let's say area A, so as soon as I was accepted as ...
- 698
2
votes
0
answers
562
views
How practical is it to change research areas within math after a PhD? [closed]
The title says most of it really. How constrained are you in an academic career based on the topic of your PhD thesis? Is it plausible for someome to be researching in an area of math vastly different ...
- 37
49
votes
3
answers
13k
views
how to use arxiv?
This is a soft question. How do people usually use arxiv to put their papers? At which stage does one usually put his/her paper/report there? Someone suggests me to submit a paper while putting it on ...
- 4,713
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
"Significant results" vs "Key outcomes or Other achievements" [closed]
The NSF annual report asks for "Significant results" and "Key outcomes or Other achievements." What is the difference between these two categories?
- 188k
35
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Dealing with unwanted co-authorship requests
This post is a sequel to: Collaboration or acknowledgment?
The following has come to my attention. A senior mathematician (let us call him or her Alice) suggested a problem to a young mathematician (...
- 4,713
19
votes
10
answers
6k
views
Research Experience for Undergraduates: Summer Programs
Some time ago, I found this list of REU programs held in 2009.
The main aspects that characterize such programs are: (a) a great deal of lectures on specific topics; and, admittedly more importantly,...
CommunityBot
- 1
92
votes
2
answers
15k
views
Coming out as transgender in the mathematical community
I don't know if MO is the right place to ask such a question, but anyway it's my only hope to get an answer, and it's very important for me (not to say 'vital'); so let's try.
I'm at this time a Ph.D....
- 998
9
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Can the Math 2.0 Forum's Closure be prevented? [closed]
Apologies if this is not regarded as suitable for MO, but I have noticed other "soft" questions and feel this deserves some attention by the community, and did not know where else this could be asked.
...
- 1,238
13
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is it possible to get another math PhD
My undergrad being in a field other than mathematics (and not in the US), I couldn't get into the Princeton/Harvard/MIT tier of universities for my math PhD. I settled for a lesser program and got my ...
- 2,821
136
votes
14
answers
29k
views
Careers advice for Ph.D.s without current postdocs or university jobs
Hi,
I'm sure I'm not the only Ph.D. mathematician on MO in serious need of career advice. I'm sure there will be other readers in similar situations, who will find any good advice very helpful. Can ...
- 1
59
votes
12
answers
34k
views
What areas of pure mathematics research are best for a post-PhD transition to industry?
I have a student who is looking to start a PhD in pure mathematics. She is talented and motivated, and will do quite well. She is still in a phase of her development where she is still open to the ...
- 1,826
12
votes
0
answers
819
views
State of research in moduli space of flat connections
I am a recent PhD student trying to settle into a research topic. Even though I have a current project I am working on, I am not particularly enjoying it and would like to switch. Before braving the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
19
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Training towards research on birational geometry/minimal model program
Being a not yet enrolled independently supervised graduate student in mathematics, with prospects of applying to American graduate schools hopefully in a 1-2 years' time, I have a background of having ...
CommunityBot
- 1
29
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Etiquette of publishing folklore results
I am wondering what is the etiquette of publishing a "folklore" result?
Though special cases of the result are well-known, the proof is not readily available in any reference text or paper I've seen....
- 4,679
47
votes
10
answers
9k
views
Tools for Organizing Papers?
Much like a previous question on keeping research notes organized, my question is how people keep their pile of papers organized. I've got a stack of about 100 in my office, most of them classifying ...
- 26.8k
0
votes
1
answer
321
views
Are there any informal rules to follow before submitting a paper? [closed]
EDIT Possibly my question might sound strange, sorry about that. I got a PhD in another country years ago. Recently I moved to the US and have a tenured position. Assume I wrote a paper and want to ...
- 32.1k
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How hard is it for a teaching-oriented lecturer to get tenure in mathematics in the United States? [closed]
My questions is different from this post.
Suppose a math's PhD is
1) not very successful in his PhD program research and fails to find an ideal postdoc.(But he is still eligible to gain a PhD ...
CommunityBot
- 1
-4
votes
1
answer
224
views
Does one need an external, peer-reviewed grant to become tenured faculty in this field? [closed]
As a secondary question, how important is it to be awarded grants to remain employed as a PhD mathematician at an academic research institution? Is it common or uncommon for PhD mathematicians to have ...
- 26.3k
7
votes
0
answers
548
views
Partial differential equations outside of academia [closed]
I've seen a number of career/jobs questions on mathoverflow before, so I thought I would ask. Please excuse me if this isn't the best place for this specific question. Lately I've been really ...
- 139
23
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Adapting arguments and plagiarism
I'm currently working on my PhD thesis. I have several suggested problems to work on, some of them are very similar to some problems that my advisor have worked before and published already, either in ...
CommunityBot
- 1
26
votes
2
answers
2k
views
When a journal doesn't give your work a fair chance [closed]
There is no way around the fact that determinations about the relative contributions of papers and journal acceptances will always be highly subjective. In addition, editors and referees are busy ...
- 1,459
34
votes
7
answers
4k
views
Is it worthwhile to give off-topic talks?
I am a graduate student. Occasionally for some reason I am asked to give a talk on my research at a conference whose stated purpose is almost completely unrelated to my research. To preserve my ...
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Notable math from those without math PhDs [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What recent discoveries have amateur mathematicians made?
Can anyone give historical examples of people outside of mathematics that have contributed to the literature? I'm ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
330
views
Computational Algebra and Symbolic Computation - Where? [closed]
Following the line of this question, I'm in my last year of M.Sc., and I'm looking for a place where I can start my PHD. Since that question has been asked 4 years ago, I thought it may be wise to ask ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
281
views
Is it possible to pursue a career in mathematics only working within a small subset of the subject? [closed]
This is a bit of a meta question I guess but I was wondering to what extent does a career mathematician need to use multiple areas of math in their profession?
Example, is it possible to exclusively ...
- 11
54
votes
8
answers
6k
views
Proper way to deal with papers you've already refereed.
This question is anonymous for obvious reasons.
I referee what feels like a decent number of papers (though I don't know how many is normal!), and I try to take it seriously. Sometimes, based on ...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Reference letters for teaching positions
I've been told that when applying for a teaching position, your reference letters can be written by anyone who is familiar with your teaching capabilities in detail. I feel that this primarily just ...
CommunityBot
- 1
36
votes
7
answers
14k
views
Changing Careers: Becoming a Professional Mathematician
First, I apologize if this question is too soft or doesn't comport precisely with what is considered a good question, but I know of no other place to ask it.
A little background: I obtained an ...
CommunityBot
- 1
43
votes
8
answers
7k
views
Should one attack hard problems? [closed]
When I applied for a PhD student position I had an interview with two professors. Somehow we touched the problem if $P$ is $NP$ and, once we got there, for some reason both professors made it clear ...
- 6,982
31
votes
7
answers
14k
views
Advice on doing mathematical research [closed]
Please share any general tips or advice you have on doing mathematical research.
How do you identify good problems to work on or to think about? What do you do when you get stuck on a problem? Etc.
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
593
views
Will this be a case of self plagiarism or will it annoy the referee? [closed]
About 2 months ago, I uploaded a fairly long paper (P1) to arXiv and it is currently under review.
Now, I am writing a second paper (P2) on a somewhat different topic. But quite unexpectedly, it ...
- 6,039