First one must appreciate the blurry boundaries of research and applied scientific efforts. Pure research involves the expansion of existing, substantiated knowledge using reasonable hypothetical premises. Applied research uses applied real world observations and trying to understand or model the results to a theoretical result. Research and development (R&D) uses proven knowledge and apply it to varying real world uses.

This is the blurriness. The engineers, the application side of the picture, sometimes observe behaviors quite outside the theoretical models provided by the academics as do astronomers and particle physicists. This causes ripples within the conventionally accepted knowledge base, thus causing more questions and more research trying to further understand the discrepancies.

This is my question to you: where do you want to engage in this exciting web of interdependency? I am a power electronics consultant, where E and M fields, the relative speed of light of electrons, and mitigating circumstances between these realms, is an everyday part of my everyday efforts. I routinely encounter behaviors quite outside the those of conventional scientific wisdom and make my own hypothetical solutions, wishing those with more time (and funding) could pursue it further.

This is a very large and intriguing world. These is a need and room for all. You just need to match your desires, and training to your goals.

Industry Institute Partnership Cell is a dedicated unit for this purpose