<p>If you actually try for physics research jobs with a PhD in physics, then the subfield obviously does matter (this might also apply if you try to cross over into engineering jobs). But physics PhDs who spill into other job markets like CS and finance (where some (not all) employers are willing to hire “smart people who can handle mathematical and logical tasks and can therefore learn the needed skills on the job”), the subfield probably makes no difference, since the employers won’t even be able to tell the difference beyond the top level general description.</p>
<p>Hm…well, I do think that the condensed matter subfield is more employable than the astronomy/cosmology subfield if you intend to work in something that actually uses the advanced training and if you are seriously interested in an industry jobs. Of course, there are jobs in academia if you can get one. </p>
<p>There are plenty of high tech jobs which need people with quantitative backgrounds. However, some of these may be more uncomfortable for people with Asperger’s (I assume this is the kind of autism you have) because they may be more people-oriented. If you have some programming skills, you may be able to do technical consulting. Other than building a customer base (which your physics contacts could potentially help with), it may not require as much teamwork and day-to-day interaction with people as normal engineering jobs. I know people who do this who aren’t in the same state as their clients.</p>
<p>I question the wisdom of choosing a subfield which you don’t like though. This can create a lot of problems. In a PhD, you are literally expected to know everything related to your research topic. Are you going to want to do that in a field which doesn’t interest you? It’s going to be torture. PhDs are hard enough just because of the trial-and-error nature of scientific research.</p>
<p>I suggest you spend a couple of years in a PhD program in cosmology/astronomy and at that point ask your advisor about your chances for a “next-level” job. Hopefully, they will be honest with you.</p>
<p>This is probably true. There is also some “neurotypical” people who don’t have the best social skills either, so they wouldn’t necessarily be able to distinguish who had Asperger’s even if they had a bias.</p>