I get paid €30,000 per year to do my PhD in Europe, AMA

OP

Original post by vela1

Where and what did you study for your undergrad?

I studied mathematics at the University of Aberdeen, but I only achieved a 2:2 due to various reasons although not enough for me to claim "mitigating circumstances".

In any case, I got my major break when I was accepted for a master programme in the Netherlands and ended up doing quite well there (although not enough to achieve a "*** laude", i.e. a distinction). I think it's useful to bear in mind that while employers in the United Kingdom look very far back through your track record, this is not the case on the continent. In fact, I also made this thread with the idea of making people aware of other opportunities that lie out there.

Reply 11

Yaboi

Is that pre or post tax?

also whats the plans post phd?

Reply 12

Notoriety

22

Hahahah, *** laude.

That's almost as good as the Cressida **** one.

Reply 13

OP

Original post by Yaboi

Is that pre or post tax?

That would be my gross salary, so pre-tax.

Yaboi

also whats the plans post phd?

I don't have plans to stay in academia, floating from post-doctoral position to post-doctoral position. Instead, I would like to go into industry. My expertise in mathematics is valued in certain areas of industry and the "Dr" title also goes a long way in the Benelux and German speaking world, at least.

Reply 14

username853993

Original post by RamocitoMorales

That would be my gross salary, so pre-tax.

I don't have plans to stay in academia, floating from post-doctoral position to post-doctoral position. Instead, I would like to go into industry. My expertise in mathematics is valued in certain areas of industry and the "Dr" title also goes a long way in the Benelux and German speaking world, at least.

What made you go and do a phd if you dont want to go into academia?

Reply 15

Yaboi

Original post by RamocitoMorales

That would be my gross salary, so pre-tax.

I don't have plans to stay in academia, floating from post-doctoral position to post-doctoral position. Instead, I would like to go into industry. My expertise in mathematics is valued in certain areas of industry and the "Dr" title also goes a long way in the Benelux and German speaking world, at least.

So you plan on staying in that region for a while then?

would you say it pays better than the uk?

Reply 16

OP

Original post by madmadmax321

What made you go and do a phd if you dont want to go into academia?

Actually, the vast majority of PhDs do not go into academia; even the ones who want to. There are simply not enough positions.

As I mentioned already, a PhD is a very valuable title in many European countries and is a necessary requirement for certain positions in industry. After all, industrial companies have research positions.

This position allows me to attain that title, while providing me with a decent salary and enabling me to specialise in a particular field which is very relevant for where I want to go in the future. Not to mention that the work is very interesting (for me).

Yaboi

So you plan on staying in that region for a while then?

I will simply go wherever the best opportunity presents itself. This has been my philosophy up until now.

Yaboi

would you say it pays better than the uk?

I have friends who are doing their PhDs in the UK. If you are lucky, you are awarded a stipend which tends to be around £1300 a month. Okay, it is untaxed, but it will still not get you very far in the majority of cities. For example, a friend of mine in Manchester still lives in shared housing whereas I can comfortably afford a 65 m^2 flat of my own in the city centre.

Moreover, the environment is very competitive in the UK. More so than on the continent, I believe. In the situation described above, I would have certainly gone straight into industry.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 17

username2424985

Original post by RamocitoMorales

Moreover, the environment is very competitive in the UK. More so than on the continent, I believe. In the situation described above, I would have certainly gone straight into industry.

More competitive to gain a place on a PhD programme, or to get a job afterwards?

Reply 18

OP

Original post by plklupu

More competitive to gain a place on a PhD programme, or to get a job afterwards?

Both, from my perspective, if you exclude unfunded PhD programmes.

I must admit that I don't know the precise facts and figures; however, as I mentioned already, positions in the UK (within both industry and academia) tend to place quite strong filters to weed out candidates with weaker degrees, A-levels and even GCSEs. On the continent, the focus seems to be on just your most recent qualification.

For example, I am of the opinion that you can apply for a job in the UK with a distinction in your master degree and maybe even a doctorate but they will still halt your application if you have a 2:2. These hurdles are more easily overcome on the continent.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 19

username2424985