Advice for a Young Scientist

Abstract

My career has included astrophysics and space physics, always with a theoretical emphasis. My first papers calculated nuclear reaction rates in dense stars, particularly neutron stars, but I branched out to other areas or theoretical astrophysics. However, most of my work was in the plasma physics of the magnetosphere and ionosphere of the Earth. The central theme of my work in space physics is the Rice Convection Model (RCM). This paper very briefly describes the development of the RCM, which involved many colleagues over the course of more than 50 years, in which our understanding of magnetospheric physics advanced dramatically. However, this present paper is not organized in terms of a chronicle of technical advances. It is organized in terms of what I think I learned in my career.Much of this paper is based on what I learned early in my scientific career mainly from the influence of three wise men—Richard Feynman (whom I didn’t know personally but who had a great effect on me) and my primary mentors, John Bahcall and Alex Dessler. The paper cites five rules about how to be a good scientist. The list is not exhaustive, but it emphasizes points that I find particularly meaningful. Attend seminars Do not take professors too seriously Do not be afraid to be different Do not hide your problems Find a niche