Could it be more productive to work independently after PhD?

Question

Picture the following scenario: X finished his PhD. X is also quite rich and can support himself (as well as his research) independently.

What do you think about this:

Would X's time after the PhD be well spent if he would just work 'independently'? Would this make things more difficult for him if he ever wanted to move back to an institution?

Is it in a way, in this particular scenario, not actually a very good idea, to focus solely on research and not bother with teaching and all the administrative stuff? Wouldn't he be more productive? What would hold him back?

Note: I am assuming that X is in the Humanities, that is, he does not require a lab or anything & has access to a academic library / or has his own etc.

Answer 1

In academia, he might have

• more exposure to interesting ideas (especially cross-field pollination),
• better access to students and colleagues to exchange and refine ideas with,
• as well as external pressure to be productive (which might be a good thing.)

While administrative work has never inspired me to have an interesting idea, teaching and mentoring students certainly has.

It all depends on the context he's able to set up for himself as an independent researcher. If he works better in isolation, maybe he'd be better off. If he can afford to hire other researchers and create an interesting intellectual environment, that might help.

Answer 2

If this person wants to move to an institution later, having a strong research record (since he didn't have other duties, research expectations might be high) is important and, depending on the school, some teaching experience would be valued. (This is more important if the person is out as an independent for many years.)

In addition to the issue ff524 mentions, being independent may be counter-productive for some people. I have had no teaching/administrative duties at different points in time, and the lack of structure can make fit harder to be consistently productive at research. In addition, you can start to feel a bit isolated without a good academic community to be a part of. Personally, I think the ideal teaching load for research for me would be one course per semester most semesters, and then occasionally 0/semester for long trips etc.

I know a couple successful research mathematicians who do not have research positions, but they do have some sort of affiliations (one I think with no requirements, but can teach classes if he wants). I would say if you don't need the salary, something like this would be ideal, and you could teach a little, with minimal service requirements.

Answer 3

Yes, definitely. If he has set a clear course and has a vision. In academia he will be dragged down / have to split his focus between many duties not related to research :

1. Administration.
2. Teaching - many who are employed at universities have teaching as part of their duty. Almost everyone except self-funded post-docs have some teaching duties.
3. Representation - representing his group for example.
4. Acquiring grants.
5. Supervising MSc and PhD students.

All of these eat away some time, energy and focus each.