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I have a PhD in computer science. I work as a Research Staff Member at IBM Research. I mostly agree. One of the problems with the PhD system is that individual

by scott_s 10y ago

I have a PhD in computer science. I work as a Research Staff Member at IBM Research. I mostly agree. One of the problems with the PhD system is that individuals have to carve out something that is theirs, they own it. That becomes their dissertation. It doesn't sound terrible said like that, but the most productive work I've ever done was after I graduated and got a job. A small group of people with equal ownership of a problem and solution can be so much more productive. The requirement that a student defend a body of work that is theirs disincentives them from doing, what I think, is the most productive kind of work that leads to the best research outcomes. You can work in productive groups in grad school, but you still need to find that part of the work that you can claim ownership of. Because if you don't, you won't graduate. This means that inevitably, you're going to have to think in terms of "what do I need to do to get the hell out of here" rather than "what's the best way we can solve this problem."

Retric 10y ago
This depends on the program, some are happy to use a set of joint publications as a defacto dissertation. Basically, several smaller chunks are used to represent a larger body of work, which allows for closer collaboration.
- physicsyogi 10y ago
  When I finished my physics Ph.D. in 2005, my advisor showed me his dissertation. It was literally five papers with a cover around it. He graduated in 1985.
Xcelerate 10y ago
> I work as a Research Staff Member at IBM Research Funny you mention that. I recently finished my PhD and noticed a posting for a Research Staff Member position in quantum computing at IBM Research, and working on quantum computing research (or fundamental AI research) would be my ideal career. Normally, I submit my résumé and a cover letter to job listings like this, but I've found that it takes a long time to hear back (even when the company ultimately decides to offer me an interview). As someone who works at IBM yourself and has gone through the process, would you have any tips on improving my chances at being considered as a candidate? I haven't applied yet, but I'm just curious if there's a better route to piquing IBM's interest than submitting a résumé and waiting.

by scott_s 10y ago

Retric 10y ago

This depends on the program, some are happy to use a set of joint publications as a defacto dissertation. Basically, several smaller chunks are used to represent a larger body of work, which allows for closer collaboration.

physicsyogi 10y ago
When I finished my physics Ph.D. in 2005, my advisor showed me his dissertation. It was literally five papers with a cover around it. He graduated in 1985.

Xcelerate 10y ago

> I work as a Research Staff Member at IBM Research Funny you mention that. I recently finished my PhD and noticed a posting for a Research Staff Member position in quantum computing at IBM Research, and working on quantum computing research (or fundamental AI research) would be my ideal career. Normally, I submit my résumé and a cover letter to job listings like this, but I've found that it takes a long time to hear back (even when the company ultimately decides to offer me an interview). As someone who works at IBM yourself and has gone through the process, would you have any tips on improving my chances at being considered as a candidate? I haven't applied yet, but I'm just curious if there's a better route to piquing IBM's interest than submitting a résumé and waiting.