In fact, there are many doctoral candidates in the humanities and social sciences who finance themselves throughout their doctorate, or at least temporarily, through non-university employment. This is partly because positions at the university and scholarships are not always available and can sometimes only cover part of the duration of the doctorate. On the other hand, the pairing of professional practice and research projects can prove mutually enriching. In addition, a doctorate is often welcomed in applications for management positions, e.g. in cultural and educational institutions; in this respect, a doctorate alongside a non-university position can also be part of a professional development strategy. On the other hand, if the career goal is clearly academic, activities within academia are often more useful than non-academic professional experience.
In the case of an individual doctorate it is therefore possible to work alongside the doctorate (in the case of structured doctoral programmes, it is often possible to participate in the programme as an “associate member” if funding is not provided through scholarships/positions in the respective programme).
It is not uncommon for doctorates to be pursued in parallel with further professional qualifications, such as traineeships/vicariate (teaching, law, theology), internships (journalism, museums) or psychotherapy training.
If you are aiming for a part-time doctorate, you should ask yourself the following questions in particular:
- Which goals do I want to achieve with my doctorate? Do I want to work in academia or the non-university job market later on and does my doctoral path fit in with these goals? What skills and experience could be useful for my transition to a profession after my doctorate and how can I acquire them?
- What constitutes a realistic time planning with sufficient free time for rest and recreation?
- How long will it realistically take to complete my doctoral project under the given conditions?
- Do I have the time to take part in doctoral colloquia, workshops, international conferences, etc.? Do I need this for my project and for the goal I am pursuing with my doctorate?
- How can I stay in contact with the academic community, with other early-career scholars and my supervisors, to counteract isolation at my desk?
We recommend seeking an open discussion with your supervisor at an early stage. If needed, advice from the GSHS office can also help.
