Does self-funding your PhD make you less competitive for Post-doc positions? I would have thought yes in that it perhaps indicates you couldn't secure funding or that your idea wasn't good enough for funding, but the odds are the candidate will be very different after their PhD compared to when they started: they may well have blossomed into a fantastic researcher. Also, they may have produced some really good work during their PhD. In your opinions, does having a self-funded PhD matter?
Thomas:
You may be seen as less competitive, as you would not have had to write a grant for seeking funding, which is a key skill for a post-doc. However, if you could show that you would have worked on other grants or research proposals then you can be seen just as competitive.
Many thanks,
Debra
Thomas - good answer from Debra in terms that you are best advised that you can demonstrate that you have at least attempted grant submissions, publications etc. The other factor, that most hiring academics will appreciate, is that PhD scholarships and grants are usually highly competitive. Only a select few get them - and they may not go onto post-doc positions. Even if they do - there are far more post-doc positions than those students who have progressed with scholarships.
Many PhD students (in the UK at least) will be recruited via already-funded studentships, so the student won't have written the grant in those cases. Plus many doctorates across Europe (including my own) will have been PhD by published works, which may or may not have involved grant writing as part of the project(s) that the publications are based on.
Presumably some self-funded students are bankrolled by family members who are wealthy and sometimes (but not always) the motivation and qualtiy of the student may be called into question. Other self-funded students will have an extra motivation to do well, since they want to make the most of their own/others investment in them, and thus produce better research.
I think the answer to the original question is 'it depends'. Maybe, maybe not, depending on context and circumstances. The all-round package is most important, not just one variable with unclear implications.
It depends on what you mean by self-funding. In Poland every PhD student has his or her thesis and the entire process of obtaing PhD financed by the university. However, I myself decided against applying for a 4-year-long doctoral studies, choosing self-funding. Individual working with my professor not only gave me a lot of freedom but also taught me how to search for grants and other financial opportunities for my research. By now I have managed to obtain several grants and stipends whereas my collegaues who have chosen the option with studying now turn out to be far less experienced in applying for grants etc. In any case, best of luck
Hi,
In Israel too the entire process of obtaining a PhD. is financed by the university. Sometimes, depending on the nature of the dissertation, the candidate is asking for a grant too. As for the chances for post-doc, it depends on the quality of work done, and sometimes on the circle of academics who are producing research in the same area as the PhD student.
I've one additional info about Polish system. Not every PhD student has his/her studies financed by university. It is the rule if someone is working at university/research center , but if somebody isn't then he/she have to pay for it. (I'm going that way)
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