So I my background is in thermodynamics (degrees engineering and PhD in statistical thermodynamics). But in my postdoc years I focused on mathematical modeling and ML.

My current position (just got it) is an AP research position, with my grants being in mathematical modeling and ML in for brain models. While I am very interested in that, there are some unanswered questions from my early years that I still want to answer, and I do miss pure thermodynamics too.

I don’t think that for the foreseeable future I’ll be able to get a grant in statistical thermodynamics. That said I do originally come from a country with very limited funding in higher education so I am used to working without help. I’ve had some major achievements in my work in statistical physics which led me to pursue mathematical modeling purely, and get to much better universities, including my current one (though I think my Alma matter is awesome considering the knowledge level, much higher than many vary highly ranked unis, but it’s broke AF 😂).

I am thinking of starting working on my own on this, I don’t think I need anyone else and I do have some good contacts to discuss my results when I get some to get feedback. Probably I will have to pay any publication fees out of pocket.

Do you think it will look weird for me to publish in an area that has absolutely nothing to do with my current department and position? Also, would it be weird to submit a paper about statistical physics from a neuroscience department?