I will be working in Munich, Germany for a relatively small engineering company. I have always wanted to obtain an engineering PhD on a part-time basis.
I have been intrigued by the “individual doctorate” option in Germany, which seems to allow the flexibility to work full-time or part-time and thus continue to move forward in one’s career.
My questions are:
Is this option of an individual doctorate generally available to anyone who can find a professor/supervisor to work with them throughout the research agenda?
If one's current project at their job qualifies as original work and one can find a willing supervisor, can one simply proceed with their work at their current job and simultaneously earn a PhD?
Is it generally feasible to work full-time and obtain a PhD via the “individual doctorate” path? If so, how common is this?