I just graduated from France and now have a Msc degree in chemistry. I was wondering whether it is possible/easy to start working in the UK in a pharmaceutical company and then get a PhD after a few years work experience? Are there PhD positions in partnership with companies? Has anyone done this before? Thanks 4 ur advice!

go for a PhD positions first

Having worked before applying for a PhD might make you more marketable. Although there are, I think one or two schemes around which allow people to work for a company but while carrying out research. One of these is called the TCS (Teaching company scheme), but I'm not sure how easy/difficult it might be to get into it. Also I don't know whether you would have to be British. But it would definately be worth looking into from the sounds of your message.

Its very easy to get a job in industry but I would do a phd first (so that you are not too old when you finish otherwise getting a job after can be extremely hard). Lots of companies like hiring eu people.

I think for people who are interested in a career in research, the age issue isn't really that important.

If you qualify for a UK research council studentship (see our Funding section), then you might as well go straight for a PhD. If you do not qualify, then working in the UK for three years will give you a status of 'ordinarily resident', which will mean that you are eligable for a UK research council studentship. Most industry related PhD schemes (eg CASE studentships) work by placing a student in an industrial environment for part of their PhD, rather than taking an industrial scientist and linking them up with a university. The Teaching Company Scheme has now been replaced by Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). KTPs allow companies to use the research expertise of universities (including their students) to futher their research and development goals, but they are not really a route to a PhD.

Am I old-fashioned? I was always told that prospective PhD students with industrial experience are valued by admissions selectors because of their maturity, and because of the lesser likelihood that they're wanting to do a PhD on a whim (and there does seem to be a number of such people). It seems from reading some of the messages on this forum though that this doesn't apply anymore. Maybe I'm wrong, but if anything, given the strong competition for funded PhD places, having industrial experience would be something that is more desirable to have than before.

I had industrial experience and it made no difference. Age is very important because there is a (false) belief that phds only have so many creative years. The older they are the less you will get out of them .Its rubbish but thats what a lot of people think. And universities don't want to employ first time lecturers in their mid 30's plus. (have to pay them too much money)

Is this generally the case? Findaphd team?

FindAPhD Team replies:

There is some truth in older new lecturers costing more than young ones, but you'd better start a new thread to start discussing age related issues

Actually, I have got an offer for a position in industry in the UK. I had not really started looking for a PhD in the UK, because I had some PhD offers in France too, but I would really like to go to the UK. THe question is should I refuse the industrial position and look for a PhD in the UK? Or is there a risk if I work now that it would be difficult to find that PhD in UK in a few years?

You won't have a problem getting a phd position after a few years in industry. But if you want to do a phd then i dont understand why you are going into industry first - there is no point.

after a phD you should be able to get a better position in industry, isn'it

Unless you need to gain 'ordinary residence' status then you might as well try to get a PhD first. However working in industry for a few years won't harm your chances unless the job isn't in research.

I should read more and reply