Job opportunities with PhD in various math disciplines

irishdude11

I am wondering what are the job opportunities for someone with a PhD in various math disciplines. It seems like the particular discipline of math could make a huge difference to the opportunities one would face down the line.

I imagine for someone with PhD specializing in Algebra the jobs are completely limited to research in university math departments?

What about a PhD that specializes in Analysis, what kind of opportunities exist there?

And finally a PhD in the area of Probability, or separately, of Statistics, what opportunities exist there?

TheBody

I know people with phd's in maths in all sorts of different jobs.

One did a phd in algebra and is now working in a bank in Dublin.

Another is working in a hospital in Switzerland. She is part of a research group studying the eye.

Another who did her phd in stats is now working for Paddy Power. She is modelling trends in online betting.

So quite an array. Employers are interested in the skills that doing a phd brings.

Eliot Rosewater

There are certainly some specific fields that will give you an advantage, for instance doing research in mathematical finance, statistics, or in scientific computing. However, the mathematics PhD (from a decent university) is a respected thing irrespective of the particular area you focused on. It (in theory!) shows that you have the ability to handle hard problems and solve them.

Besides academia, a main route for employment is in the financial sector. Here in New York City, graduating mathematics PhDs going down this route will typically have a starting salary of over $120,000 per year. This explains why a lot of people go on to do financial suff!

irishdude11

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

There are certainly some specific fields that will give you an advantage, for instance doing research in mathematical finance, statistics, or in scientific computing. However, the mathematics PhD (from a decent university) is a respected thing irrespective of the particular area you focused on. It (in theory!) shows that you have the ability to handle hard problems and solve them.

Besides academia, a main route for employment is in the financial sector. Here in New York City, graduating mathematics PhDs going down this route will typically have a starting salary of over $120,000 per year. This explains why a lot of people go on to do financial suff!

Would a PhD in statistics that focused on biomedical applications or computer science applications be considered sufficient for employment in the financial sector?

3DataModem

irishdude11 wrote: »

I am wondering what are the job opportunities for someone with a PhD in various math disciplines. It seems like the particular discipline of math could make a huge difference to the opportunities one would face down the line.

I imagine for someone with PhD specializing in Algebra the jobs are completely limited to research in university math departments?

What about a PhD that specializes in Analysis, what kind of opportunities exist there?

And finally a PhD in the area of Probability, or separately, of Statistics, what opportunities exist there?

Gambling industry!

Lots of operators in Dublin, more further afield. Look at rationalgroup.com where I work.

BrianG23

In general mathematics will fit in with Physics and Engineering for that 'problem solvers' qualification. I don't have a clue what specific jobs maths can get you, but it's an appreciated degree nonetheless, there is just respect for those types of degrees. Alot of companies will just see one of those degrees and think "This guy can get **** done" just like the other ones will high level maths problems

spacecoyote

irishdude11 wrote: »

Would a PhD in statistics that focused on biomedical applications or computer science applications be considered sufficient for employment in the financial sector?

Well in the vast majority of trading firms & investment banks there is a massive emphasis on people with Mathematical & Programming backgrounds in relation to carrying out quantitative analysis & developing algorithms for automated trading strategies, etc...

Look at places like SIG http://www.sig.com/

Blackpanther95

People with Algebra can do almost anything, especially since algebra is so diverse, I mean it can be used in physics, finance etc. Analysis is very useful aswell. Certian companies employ mathematicians for the problem solving capabilities rather than their specific specializations. In regards to the question, I analysis seems to be for people who want to stay in the university partly I think because in its purest form isn't as useful as when it is simplified but real mathematicians hate doing that.

no scope codgod

irishdude11 wrote: »

Would a PhD in statistics that focused on biomedical applications or computer science applications be considered sufficient for employment in the financial sector?

J.P. Morgan's advertisement for Quantitative Analysts on their website says that a PHD in any quantitative field (Stats, Maths, Physics and Economics were the fields they mentioned) would be sufficient. The computer science part would just be a plus.

Edit: Here's the link http://careers.jpmorgan.com/student/jpmorgan/careers/europe/postgraduate/quant