Postgraduate study by research: what you need to know
Independent research isn't just for scientists – it's a fantastic opportunity for students with a specialist interest in virtually any topic to excel.
Independent research can be wonderfully satisfying and intellectually stimulating. It is also time-consuming, demanding and intense. It demonstrates that you are capable of independent study, that you have project-management skills and that you are highly organised. In fact, there aren't really any disadvantages, although some students can find the traditionally solitary nature of research a lonely experience. (This is an important factor to bear in mind: although there may be other research students in your department, they are unlikely to be working on the same topic as you, so must be prepared to work alone for long periods of time.)
Who would it suit?
Research isn't the sole preserve of would-be academics, but it's not for the faint-hearted: it's open to anyone who is highly motivated, with a demonstrable interest in a specific area of study. It's often said that research is a lifestyle, but there is evidence that a sizeable proportion of research students work over 40 hours a week, and many hold down a second job to make ends meet. Whatever your financial situation, life as a research student is all about self-motivation and discipline. It's really important that you treat your studies like a day job, setting strict working hours and study deadlines.
The options
There's a huge range of careers that a doctoral degree can lead you to, including – but by no means limited to – the more traditional academic route.
Masters by research can be gained in all disciplines. In humanities and social science these are usually Master of Letters (MLitt) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). For the sciences, they can be Master of Research (MRes) or Master of Science (MSc). Doctoral degrees are also available in virtually any subject and are known as Doctorates of Philosophy (PhDs) regardless of which discipline they are in. Other research doctorates include DPhil, LLD, DSc, DLitt, DEng and DEd, many of which also have a taught component as well as a significant research element.
Academia
It goes without saying that research is a fundamental requirement for a career as a scholar: a PhD is usually a basic requirement for an academic. It's notoriously difficult to become established in academia, but for those that do, the lifestyle of a full-time researcher can be rich and rewarding. Typical entry routes include post-doctoral fellowships, where early-career post-docs are enabled to strengthen their experience of research and teaching within a university environment with the aim of obtaining permanent lecturing posts at the end of the fellowship. Alternatively you could be named research assistant on a research grant led by a principal investigator. Try and amass as much experience as you can in terms of teaching, researching, presenting at conferences and writing/contributing to publications to establish your academic profile and boost your chances of employment.
Research and industry
Collaboration between businesses and research centres has a positive impact on local economies and it's crucial to the wider development of innovation and enterprise across the island of Ireland, according to political commentators on both sides of the border. Many Irish HE institutions now have specialist departments focused on developing links with industry. For example, NovaUCD, University College Dublin's Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre, is well on its way to achieving its aim of becoming a key international player in the commercialisation of research. It implements UCD policies concerning intellectual property (IP) and provides business support programmes for start-up companies and entrepreneurs. Client companies of NovaUCD have created over 30 jobs since the beginning of 2010; 16 new high-tech business ventures began NovaUCD's Capmus College Development Programme, which enables participants to commercialise research undertaken at the University.
