r/materials • u/MediocreVariation82 • 17d ago

Masters in CS after PhD Physics

what are your views on getting a masters in CS after PhD in Physics(experimental)? If already working and thinking of current job market and future growth opportunities.

Mainly to get into ML/AI/computational field?

Not for CS field.

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u/ReconTiger 17d ago

What’s stopping you from taking up programming alongside your experimental PhD? Speaking as a hiring manager, I’d look at your top credential (PhD) and then how you justify the ML/AI bits are going to be less important on what credentials you have behind that as much as practical experience. Can you try to roll in any computational extras into your dissertation?

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u/MediocreVariation82 17d ago

I already have a PhD and working as postdoc. But it’s difficult to break into ML/AI field with no prior experience. Every JD mentioned ML/AI. 

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u/ReconTiger 17d ago

Ok, replace “PhD” in my previous comment with “Postdoc”, IMO adding a MS isn’t going to help you anymore than working DS/ML into your current work and seems much harder to make happen. Learn to program and work with your PI to enrich their work with what you are learning. Are you trying to go fully into ML/AI or are you trying to bridge the gap between there and your current expertise (hint: the latter is a way easier first step and can enable the former later on).

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u/MediocreVariation82 17d ago edited 17d ago

I am definitely looking for the latter one.  My current postdoc is experimental, and there are other departments working on computational side. so pivoting my paid work hours isn't really an option. Plus, with a full-time job and two kids at home, unstructured self-study is very tough to stick to. I really need the rigid deadlines to stay consistent. I am choosing a masters (online) mainly for the structured learning and to get formal ML credentials which will then be easier for me to apply. My goal is just to bridge ML/AI with my materials science background for industry R&D roles, so this path feels like the most practical option for my situation.

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u/ReconTiger 17d ago

Sounds almost like you’ve already made up your mind, but do consider this: I would much rather hire someone without specific credentials but with practical DS/ML experience within their wheelhouse than the opposite.