physics phD to CFD?

jck87

So I'm considering applying to physics or applied physics grad programs. But I'm also considering doing CFD as a career since I don't want to go into academia. I would like to do research work in industry, especially in aerospace/defense. Because I like doing computational work on physical problems, CFD sounds like a great fit. I don't want to apply to applied math programs since I'm more interested in the physical aspect of the problem. Also, I'd rather apply to physics programs since those have more areas of research (astronomy, condensed matter, lasers, etc) that interest me than AE/ME programs. In AE/ME, CFD really is the only area of research that interests me (I like courses in heat transfer, but not the current research in it). Also, I just like to solve theoretical rather than applicable problems.

However, I haven't seen CFD as a separate research area in physics programs, but rather that its used in astrophysics, plasma physics, etc. What if I do research in an area that doesn't use CFD?

Has anyone here heard of someone getting a phD in physics unrelated to CFD, say in doing n-body simulations, but was still able to get a job doing CFD in aerospace/defense? How would I be able to do that? Just learn how to use CFD in my free time?