PhD funding & survival...

Posted by: Top Cat on 16 September 2004

Hi folks.

I'm considering doing a PhD* at a local, well-regarded uni. Entrance should be no difficulty - I have a good first degree in the subject, good experience and referees - but that's only half the battle.

As a fairly-recently-married man with wife and mortgage (fortunately only one of each ;-) I'm no longer the care-free student I was when I graduated 10 years ago. I've bills, and responsibilities, and an unhealthy gadget habit that might not respond well to cold-turkey.

I've done the commercial thing for ten years and that's been fine. I'm quite happy to have done it but when I was being honest with myself, I always planned on that PhD. Originally, the plan was:

(1) Launch own company
(2) ???
(3) Profit
(4) Do PhD

...but step (2) proved elusive and whilst my personal circumstances are a long way from being poor, I can't afford to spend 3 years as a full time research student without some kind of funding. Actually, as my wife works I probably could manage it but it would scupper my plan of 'no mortgage or debt by 40' which we're otherwise well on-track for.

So, to anyone who has done a PhD, or who knows someone who has done a PhD, I'm looking to find out the ins and outs of funding.

Particularly:

(1) Whilst I see there are grants and scholarships available for fees and basic living expenses, they fall short of paying my basic mortgage+bills+food costs;
(2) I have some great research topics but not yet being in academia, is there any chance of 'taking a project' to the uni with me and convincing a Prof. that it's worth going for grant funding;

Also, what's the PhD lifestyle like - one thing I dislike about the world of 'work' (in the commercial sense) is the more rigid structure that it imposes on my own lifestyle. For instance, I'd like to work from home now and again, or pursue ad hoc consultancy work, but cannot currently do that in my present position.

Does anyone have a few moments to give me any advice on this? I'm obviously talking with said uni but they've just started their new undergrad year they're being a bit slow to answer my questions (and I'm not rushing into this - Autumn 2005 is my target start).

Thanks,

John

* I'd considered an MBA until I talked it over with a few people and decided that it really wasn't for me. I'd thought it was, but that was probably £££ signs flickering before my eyes.

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Andrew Randle

Hi John,

Certainly doing a PhD is a bit like being self employed. You get to be your own boss and can work according to your own schedule. The only profit being academic though.

Unfortunately many unenlightened companies in the UK regard Doctorates to be only of use to people wishing to take an academic career. These companies tend to value commercial experience more highly. Of course commercial experience is highly valuable; however a PhD demonstrates that you are capable of original thinking, commitment, problem solving and specialisation.

USA companies tend to value Doctorates a lot more than UK companies.

A Doctorate will often get you a better seat on the plane (although do state to the passport office that you are not a medical doctor) and sometimes get you a better table at a snazzy restaurant.

Having said all this if I were to choose between having a PhD or a very successful company, I'd go for the latter.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
The Hi-Fi Doctor

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Mekon

Sent a PM.

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Andrew Randle

A few other things. Depending on whether you are eligible, there is government funding from the appropriate research council (appropriate to the nature of study) AND I'd advise doing a PhD in co-operation with a sponsoring company.

If you do find sponsorship, make sure there's no strings attached (e.g. having to work for them afterwards). The idea behind sponsorship is that are providing yourself and the research facilities of the university at a much lower cost than if they tried to conduct the research themselves or through another commercial company.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
The Hi-Fi Doctor

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Top Cat

Thanks, guys. Mekon, have replied (in greeeeat depth I'm afraid - grab a cuppa first!).

I should qualify for research council funding and possibly from a Carnegie Researchship (if I am very lucky - it's only available to those graduates from Scottish Unis going to do PhDs at other Scottish Unis and only if those same graduates meet high standards which I hope I do). However, I reckon I need a basic £20k before tax just to maintain the basics of my own life - mortgage/c-tax/car/food - not taking into account my wife's salary which isn't huge.

Andrew, noted your point about the sponsorship and the no-ties. I hadn't thought of that, I'm glad you brought it up. In my field (Comp. Sci.) I am not so sure there would be much in terms of companies offering sponsorship due to a current glut of moderately skilled workers in the UK industry).

Also intrigued by the "seat on the plane" thing - you jest, surely?

Thanks,

John

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Derek Wright

A few years back a work colleague did a part time PhD while continuing to work - can you do a simiilar activity

Derek

<< >>

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Stephen Bennett

quote:
Originally posted by Top Cat:

Also intrigued by the "seat on the plane" thing - you jest, surely?

Thanks,

John

Not at all, especially if you are a woman. The 'Dr' gains a lot of respect.

PhDs here get 12K tax free per year. Most PhDs take 4 years to complete (depending on subject) and you'll become overqualified for most jobs. Most of my PhD friends in Science earn 15 - 24K for the first 10 years on short term contracts in academia and are then dropped in favour of younger, cheaper, researchers.

They then become plumbers, electricians and health food shop owners.

Stephen

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by JRHardee

You don't make it clear exactly why you want a PhD. Unless you have a definite goal, or you have a real yearning to get a look at the frontiers of your chosen field, I wouldn't bother with the four years (5-7 here in the States) of near poverty and indentured servitude.

What field are you interested in?

Get to know some of the grad students in the program you are looking at. Find out why they are there and how they manage. If you can, speak with some recent graduates, and find out what getting the "union card" has done for them. If you want to do research, this is a good place to start.

Good luck!

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Andrew Randle

quote:
Also intrigued by the "seat on the plane" thing - you jest, surely?

No I don't jest. I've previously been travelling on my pre-PhD passport and rarely got an upgrade. A couple of months ago I got a new passport, decided to put my full title on there, and 3-out-of-4 flights I got an upgrading - including BA who never gave me an upgrade before.

Maybe this is an "anomalie in the results", but I'll report back when I get a larger sample.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
The Hi-Fi Doctor

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Mekon

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
Most of my PhD friends in Science earn 15 - 24K for the first 10 years on short term contracts in academia and are then dropped in favour of younger, cheaper, researchers.

Though you wouldn't do it for the money, four people my department are just about to start their first post-docs, and all are starting on better than those figures. I guess it depends on your PhD.

Posted on: 16 September 2004 by Dan M

John,

Sent you a PT

Dan

Posted on: 21 September 2004 by Top Cat

Hi folks. Thanks for all the advice so far - Dan, I have been away from the computer this weekend so haven't had a chance to reply, but will.

I'm in contact with the uni and working out what kind of funding package I might be able to negotiate/plead-for. At the same time I am considering whether the PhD is viable in terms of my own development. Getting the offer of a place should be very easy - I have the necessary qualifications, am already published and have a fair amount of extra experience which should all but guarantee me a place. However, it's the funding issue which makes me pause.

Someone asked why I wanted a PhD: My answer, which I have considered before writing this, is that I feel compelled to create and push back the bounds of my own knowledge, and simply would like to do it. Whilst moderately compensated in my current job, I don't feel that my heart is really in it and I have a real compulsion to get back to my true (technical) love (which I'll spare you).

The other compelling reason that I want to do the PhD is my wish to put in place a framework to bring my conceptual ideas into fruition - not necessarily within the constraints of 'commercial viability' (at least in the near-term).

It seems that my best option, according to the Dean of PostGrad admissions at the uni, might be to co-ordinate with an established academic and prepare my own ESPRC grant application to fund both the development of my concept and my PhD in tandem. A big challenge, but I've probably more experience in dealing with big organisations than most would-be PhD students, and moreover I relish a challenge...!!!

Ta again,

John

Posted on: 21 September 2004 by Stephen Bennett

TC

Why not just do more drumming?

Regards

Stephen

Posted on: 21 September 2004 by Top Cat

Drumming's a really tiring way to make a living - what with rehearsals, gigs, travel and practise, I doubt I'd have any time left to do any research.

Pity... gotta love dem drums...

John

Posted on: 21 September 2004 by Stephen Bennett

TC

Been rehearsing with Roland V drums - very nice. Have you tried FXpansions BFD yet? It's a bloody amazing plug-in...

Stephen

Posted on: 23 September 2004 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Top Cat:
and I have a real compulsion to get back to my true (technical) love (which I'll spare you).

John,

if you feel like sharing, rather than sparing, I'd be interested to hear what that is.

If it's Morris dancing, or something, I'd understand if you want to keep it to yourself.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne (at) Dial.Pipex.com. Put "Naim" in the title.