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Teaching, research career in pure math in Ireland

  • 09-01-2014 11:54pm
    #1
    Dan_K
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 ✭


    Hi,

    I have an engineering degree that is heavy on mathematics. I have been working in the industry for 8 years, and I'm sick of it. I'd like to get a PhD in pure mathematics and build a career in academia. I don't mind having to spend several years studying. What's concerning me is that there seem to be very few opportunities in this area in Dublin. I have checked the websites of some universities in Dublin, and I could only find a handful of temporary positions, mostly applied. I don't want to leave a successful career in industry and study for several years just to go back to industry.

    Are there internal opportunities for students completing their PhDs, or is my plan unrealistic?

    Any guidance would be really appreciated.

    Thank you.


Comments

  • #2
    TheBody
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,633 ✭✭✭TheBody


    Hi Dan,

    I work at third level in Maths. Jobs are like hens teeth. You might get lucky and cover a maternity leave or the likes but the reality is that there is nothing of any substance.

    Sorry to disappoint!!


  • #3
    equivariant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 966 ✭✭✭equivariant


    I agree with The Body - its extremely difficult these days to get a permanent academic position in mathematics. Typically, the very best PhD students will have to spend a few (maybe 4 or 5) years after their PhD doing postdocs to build up their research profile. Funded postdoc positions are tough to get and you would almost certainly have to travel outside Ireland to get one in pure mathematics as the Irish government seems to have no interest in funding these positions. Even after you spend a few years on the postdoc circuit, the competition for any permanent positions is pretty intense. It is not unusual to get 20 or 30 extremely well qualified applicants (ie lots of publications and a decent amount of teaching experience) for a single entry level lecturing position.

    In summary, you are looking at 4 years for a PhD + 4/5 years as a postdoc and then you will be one of a very large pot of people competing for a very small number of jobs. Sorry to be negative but that is the reality right now.


  • #4
    Dan_K
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 ✭Dan_K


    Oh well. Thanks TheBody and equivariant. I appreciate your honesty. I realize now that my plan is unrealistic and I need to think of something else.


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