I've been thinking of applying for funded phds as I cannot find a job. Is this a good reason to do one? Certainly, there are more jobs out there for those that hold a phd, however, there are also more jobs out there for people with a better undergraduate degree than I have.

As an undergraduate I got a 2.2 from Exeter University and went on to do a M.Sc, which I passed (at a pass). However, this was back in 2002 and what may have been current then, may not be now. I have also spent sometime in industry 6 months in a diagnostics lab and over 3 years in an area called pharmacovigilance. I would go back and work in this area had I not been out of what I would call real work for 3 years.

Would doing a funded phd be a reasonable way of of getting back to work? Are they hard to come by these days. I've heard that the competition for phds is even more than 8-9 years ago. Any ideas?

obviously your science, I'm social science so its a big difference. I personally wouldn't go near a PhD for employment prospects at the mo, but if its necessary to progress in your field, then maybe you should consider it.

Just be aware that its 3 years with very little money and A LOT of work, and potentially a year of unfunded write up afterwards - that's 3 years you could have been earning and saving money for mortgages etc.

I honestly dont think doing a Phd is a way of getting back to work.
Some employers hate hiring people with phd's because they consider them over qualified.
I suggest since you have been workin in Pharmacovigilance, try applying for a job in regulatory affairs/drug safety as they are many jobs in these fields and they usually take people with pharmacovigilance experience as the work is related.

Thanks for your input. It is depressing having been out of work for so long. I guess I could get myself in to a muddle with a Phd. The market is tough at the moment. I have had 10 or more interviews I should think and no luck yet.

My initial idea was to use a Phd as a way of attaining new skills. The last thing I want is to be working on a project that it impossible to write up. A problem I have seen within this forum.

Funded PhDs are very competitive now, and unfortunately you will be up against people with a much better academic record, just as you are in the jobs market. However the fact that you have real industry experience should count for a lot, especially if it's closely related to the PhD you apply for, so do make the most of that in your application/interviews.

I would say though, only do a PhD if you're sure you want to do a PhD - as others have said it's a lot of hard work for not much money, so you have to have real motivation and a passionate interest in your subject of research. And it may not actually do much for your employment prospects, that depends a lot on the field of study though and the types of jobs you're hoping to apply for at the end.

Hi Wray

My take on things would be that you should concentrate more on finding a new job than studying for now.  Have you considered doing a PhD part time, and working as well? Would that be a possibility for you?

Sometimes potential employers can be jealous if they know you have a PhD.

Have you had any professional career advice, eg on CVs and interview techniques in the last few months?  Hope I'm not 'preaching to the choir' here, but sometimes really smart people can overlook some really basic flaws in their job applications.

Angelette

If you're thinking of getting back into pharmacovigilance (which is, I would imagine, an area of increasing importance) then I suggest you get in touch with the MHRA or private companies who carry out that kind of work and ask whether a PhD would be beneficial or if not, what would? They may well be willing to sponsor you through a PhD if you seem like a good candidate. But be aware that a PhD requires a lot of motivation beyond just career progression.

Whatever you do, make sure your decision matches the specific kind of job that you want to get in to. Just because 'in general' there are more jobs for people with PhDs doesn't mean that your PhD will enhance your job prospects.

Hi, I agree with the others, definitely PhDs are no guarantee to a good job, and won't necessarily add value to your career beyond your MSc.
http://www.economist.com/node/17723223

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time looking for work, but it is good that you are at least getting interviews.  Have you registered with the many recruitment agencies for the pharma industry? I know that they are annoying to deal with, but many companies don't recruit directly. 

What sort of skills do you think a PhD will help you develop? If you feel your academic knowledge may need to come up-to-date, have you considered doing some short courses?  Shop around though as prices vary widely. Other skills you develop while doing a PhD are Presentation Skills or Academic Writing, but these can be done at a decent FE college.  So, in summary I don't recommend doing a PhD at this stage and for your reasons. I myself would not have done one if I had known how little it would help me with jobs and how broke I'd be at the end of it.

Good luck

I wouldn't start a PhD just because you cannot find anything else to do. Doing one does not guarantee you a job in anyway! If you want to find out more information about life as a PhD student take a look on this forum and I have written a blog post about  why you would study for a PhD here - http://www.jobs.ac.uk/blogs/real-life/2011/02/17/why-study-for-a-phd/

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The M.Sc I took was an M.Res. I am not sure if you have heard of them. They are research masters that give students the skills to go on and do a Phd amoungst other things. Quite a few of the students who studied with me decided not to take any further study and were happy with the M.Sc . It was certainly more work than I undertook than as an undergraduate in my final year. Though saying that potential employers seem to miss this fact. I guess in comparison with some universities it may not be seen as a step up, though we did have someone who studied at Cambridge on the course.

Your replies about the merit of doing a Phd have been helpful. For me, the reason to continue study (if anyone was interested) would be to gain new skills. If it means I am going to be doing a great deal of work alone, I guess there are other ways. It seems it is only what I would call good luck that has got me places in the past and I seem to have run out of it!

Thanks for your input. Being unemployed really is dull.

You'll have to write a killer research proposal to stand a chance, but it is possible. I was at home for nearly 10 years with the kids, after a 7yr career, did my Masters, and landed a funded Humanities PhD last summer. I've no idea where this will take me in 3 years time, but I'm getting the biggest buzz from having a go. Good luck.