Take advantage of the richness of the training courses to explore beyond what you think you like.
- 2009-12: L3 and Master SDM, ENS Lyon
- 2012-15: PhD in Physics of materials at the Institute of Light and Matter (Lyon)
- 2015-16: Postdoc, Bristol University (UK), School of Physics
- 2016-18: Postdoc, Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), Physics of Complex Systems and Statistical Mechanics
- 2018-20: FNRS Research Fellow (Belgium)
- Since January 2021: CNRS Research Fellow at CEMES (Toulouse)
During my studies, I quickly realized that I was more attracted to experimental physics. Unfortunately, the courses in the SDM program were not always adapted to my expectations. In particular, I remember a course in Laser Physics where we did not touch a single laser. Next door, in University Lyon 1, for the same course, they have a great lab where they build their own laser.
As a researcher, while I naturally started with a thesis in experimental physics, I now only use numerical simulation tools. In retrospect, I am grateful that my training was more theoretical and that it allowed me to reorient myself quite easily.
You will learn what you need for your research during the internship and the thesis. Everything else, however, will be difficult to learn outside of class and may be useful for thinking outside the box in your research career. Therefore, take advantage of the richness of the courses in the program to explore beyond what you think you like.