Which physics occupations and fields are most recession-proof? [closed]

Question

During times of recessions and jobless recoveries, plenty of physics occupations have been cut and slashed, with hiring freezes. Can anyone knowledgeable give some good advice on which physics occupations and fields are most recession-proof, and secure even during times of jobless recoveries?

Answer 1

Short-answer: Large multinational collaboration, see LHC, Super-K, SNO, Daya Bay, Icecube, etc., and defense/national security related, see MIT Lincoln Labs, Quantum Computing, etc. are safest funding wise

Long-Answer: If you are thinking about a career in physics and are just looking for a job that can guarantee funding for x no. of years, you should reconsider said career in physics. In teh current political climate everything is up for grabs or being defunded at for any reason. Moreover, do what you want to do as a physicist and not what the funding agency tells you what to do (you are not a professor yet). Particle Physics might be a save haven funding wise, but sitting in front of a computer writing code might not be your thing. Same idea with quantum computing, you may not like working with LHe or in a clean room. Sure they are safe funding-wise, but are you happy or come to your full potential - No. If we were all worried about funding or recession proofness, nobody would be a theoretical physicist unless they are really good. And at the end of the day TAs are always needed.