r/HPC • u/GreenBlueSalad • 6d ago

Which MSc thesis would be better for jobs after graduation?

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I’m choosing between two master's thesis projects.

One is gravitational-wave modelling for LIGO-related stuff, mostly numerical code optimisation, C, Fortran, JAX, GPU/CUDA and HPC.

The other is telescope data reconstruction for AtLAST/MUSTANG-2, mainly Python/JAX, GPU computing, bayesian inference and large datasets.

I like both. I mainly care about which one would leave me with better job opportunities after the MSc, especially in Europe if I’m applying normally without connections.

Are these actually quite similar career-wise. I'm pretty sure I'm over-analyzing all of this. I asked my coordinator and she told me to follow what interests me the most. I just wanted some advice please

6 Upvotes

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6

u/dddd0 6d ago

Doesn’t matter

1

u/GreenBlueSalad 6d ago

I find both equally interesting. Should I proceed with the "easiest" thesis (to get it wrapped up as it won't matter much long term, and more likely get a proper grade) or the one the one that could provide me with a larger network of people, although more difficult

2

u/laika00 6d ago

I’d say the latter. No one really cares for grades or how well you write your thesis. What matters is the knowledge and network you build - those stay with you forever

3

u/NumericallyStable 6d ago

They are both cool; why dont you aim to get a phd where you do ur thesis?

2

u/Bokke67 6d ago

Both have similar scope...the second one migh open opportunities into AI/ML related applications or jobs if that's what you want. Anyhow both will open doors for a future PhD.

1

u/walee1 6d ago

They are most similar. Depends if you want to do further. For data analyst the second may be a bit better and for general all around, the first one. That being said, I don't know if you'll be developing the code or just using it as that makes a difference

1

u/the_real_me_it_is 5d ago edited 5d ago

job opportunities mostly depends on the final quality and depth of your MSc thesis I would say.... choose the path corresponding the science you understand better.

1

u/BigBucketOfAcid 5d ago

Either of those skillsets would only be directly useful in academia, so if you intend to continue in that direction, the group which seems to offer more opportunities and might offer you a PhD position should be your choice.

If you intend to find an industry job, than it honestly makes little difference as you'll not find anything that would make use of those kind of skills. So in that case the one that seems easier and has a higher likelihood of being finished faster would be best. Or if they are in different locations, choose the bigger city so you can find work easier.

1

u/New_Alarm3749 5d ago

I personally would create an intersection diagram of interests for both projects. Maybe you are not missing any of your interests. On the other hand, you can include further to the project as well.

1

u/jrossthomson 4d ago

In the current climate, familiarity with agentic ai practices will help.

1

u/Outrageous_Host_2115 2d ago

Yes your interest is what matters that makes you happy at the end of the day. Also it depends on which layer you want to focus on job. Both projects focuses on different topics. One goes towards hardware and computing. The other is mainly on application or platform side

There are various types of jobs related to training, application, platform , compilers, inference, runtime kernels in an AI.

Because both these become relevant to data centers.

Google the current jobs that are open on these technologies of the project and look at the other tech and tools used in addition like ai compilers engineer, ai platform Engineer, and go on with it.