Hi,
I currently live and work in the UK. I have a UK Masters Degree and would like to pursue a PhD in Switzerland. However, I like to still continue my work in the UK (part time) and work through a PhD on a part time basis like 50%.
I have read on this forum that in a normal week atleast 50% of a PhD is research and the rest is working for the University as a teaching assistant.
Is it possible to opt out of the teaching assistant role so I can reinvest this time working at home ?
PS: I dont mind shuttling on a weekly basis and taking a 50% pay cut.
Thanks
Dan
Search keywords: Phd flexible, Phd working hours, Phd employment contracts....
Unless you are a true academic VIP, I can't really imagine a prof that would sign up for it. You might be able to, but I haven't known anyone here woking less. Everybody is pretty much 200% in it. But arrange it with your prof and see? The competition is more than fierce and time matters in research. Even if you do, for example, spread out your degree over more years and work only part time, you will still end up working full time while being paid half. I know there are degrees elsewhere where you only do the thesis, don't teach, do no service, etc. but not sure about it here.
A PhD is paid 50-60% but expected to work full time (officially 42 hours but realistically more like 60, like post-docs).
The reason for the less %age is that the pay grade is not that different to a post-doc, and, as you know from the UK PhD students get paid less. Also, you can legally have another part time job, you do not need permission, but realistically it should either be something linked to your subject, or something low pressure, as PhD’s are very stressful.
A PhD salary here is still quite livable on it’s own if you live in a shared house for example, probably more so than a UK PhD, and it includes taxes and pension so you count as a real person.
Having done a PhD, I would suggest that 50% research time is still considered at least 80-100% of the regular 'work hours' of a week (ie approx 42 hours here). There are some profs, and some programs, where you can work less and do some other training on the side, not sure if working 50% of the time on your own work would be valid.
I have heard of people who do their PhDs part-time, but I think it depends on the kind of work you want to do as well. If it's hard science, it might be difficult, because of a) competition and pressure to finish projects quickly and publish and b) the time needed to run experiments etc (in many cases). In other topics though, it might be more flexible or easier to do so. Perhaps if you gave us some more info on what you'd like to study, or where you'd like to apply?
Thank you all for your advice.
During my Masters thesis I wrote a touch-less software which could be used applications , one of which is Surgery via remote locations. I would like to further my education with a PhD in a closely related research topic. And since Switzerland is rich in Biotech I decided to work on a PhD in Biotech which should be mostly computing within the Biology field.
Masters in Computer Security & Forensics with Prince II (Project Management) - 2:2
Bachelors in Computer Science & Mathematics - First Class
Diploma in Software Engg
I have visited Geneva and Thonon les Baines area and so initially I started looking at the Universities and clinics in the GE area. Besides its faster through Eurostar if I need to travel back to London on a weekly basis.
I am also looking in other areas out of GE. Any advice?
Thanks.
You could look at ETH. They have a world wide reputation in tech.
In general in Switzerland the teaching component of the PhD is not volunatry, it is an essential, complementary part of your research training and at least at the ETH all PhD students that are hired as 50% assistants are expected to take part in teaching or supervision activities (in practice I would say the research work takes 70% of their time, teaching 20% and 10% for compulsory lectures/exams but these % depend very much on their specific programs/labs). Part time PhDs in the biological sciences are basically unheard of. A full time PhD in the field takes at least 4 years and stretching projects out to double that timeframe is not possible due to the much shorter lifecycles of project funding that your prospective supervisor depends on. I think your only option would be a self-funded PhD if you find a professor willing to supervise you. However, these sort of arrangments are much more common in the UK where you already are.
I would definitely consider ETH or EPFL Lausanne as well, as I'm pretty sure they would have programs that would be suitable. But as mgosia said... for your area of research, I doubt a part-time extended PhD would be feasible here. If you could do your own work much less than 50%, it might be reasonable, if you are able to work more than 40ish hours a week and be really efficient with the PhD work. Then, if you aren't limited to the 3-4 years of funding that many universities are (some programs at ETH are more flexible) it might work. But if you can also do it in the UK, why not try there?
I'm not sure Switzerland has more to offer than the UK, which has always been at the top in biotech, especially the greater London area.
For a full time PhD switzerland is great though, also salary-wise. If your intention is to continue research afterwards a full time PhD makes more sense and Switzerland is definitely attractive. If it's just to have it and you will continue with your job afterwards it's probably easier and faster to get one in the UK (from what I've heard at least).