4 ms·

I want to do independent (computational) research. That's pretty much the only thing I want to do. Not employment in industry, not teaching, not funding agency

I want to do independent (computational) research. That's pretty much the only thing I want to do. Not employment in industry, not teaching, not funding agency research (where the agency wants you to do only a restricted form of research; okay maybe I could do that but then funding is hard to come by). But independent research. And I don't care about money (as long as I can live on it, and have access to computational resources). But I don't know how I can make time for it. I worked for a while, saved up some money, then did my own research using that money for a few months. But working to raise money is very distracting.

watwut 8y ago
Part time job? Work 4 hours a day or 3-4 day a week. Programmers salaries are such that it is possible. The key is to watch time at work religiously and ensure you actually work agreed upon time and not more. It works, but you have to be consistent. I have seen people doing this. Not with research, but with hobbies, teaching, religion or family. If it is possible with these, then it will work with research too.
- fizixer 8y ago
  > work religiously ... that's my problem with part time work. If I have to spend even two or three hours on something not related to the research I really want to do, the rest of the day is ruined. I'm the kind of person, who does well by dedicating solid chunks of time day in and day out on one topic, with the only distractions being eating, sleeping, and going to the restroom. However if that part time work involves me showing up and just being there, or following mindless instructions (like burger flipping, or moving containers from one place to another) then as long as I'm not physically tired, and I can go back and do research for the rest of that day. But I doubt part time menial work would raise enough money to pay the bills.
  - watwut 8y ago
    Then work 3-4 days and dedicate 1-2 to research and you still have weekend. I did not meant burger flipping. Burger flipping does not pay enough. I meant programming or other well paid job where you have good negotiating position. By "work religiously" was padt of semtemce that meant to watch time. Don't stay longer "just this one time".
  - pauljurczak 8y ago
    Work as an independent contractor. Get a small project, spend a few days or weeks completing it. Work on your research for a few weeks. Rinse and repeat.

watwut 8y ago

Part time job? Work 4 hours a day or 3-4 day a week. Programmers salaries are such that it is possible. The key is to watch time at work religiously and ensure you actually work agreed upon time and not more. It works, but you have to be consistent. I have seen people doing this. Not with research, but with hobbies, teaching, religion or family. If it is possible with these, then it will work with research too.

fizixer 8y ago
> work religiously ... that's my problem with part time work. If I have to spend even two or three hours on something not related to the research I really want to do, the rest of the day is ruined. I'm the kind of person, who does well by dedicating solid chunks of time day in and day out on one topic, with the only distractions being eating, sleeping, and going to the restroom. However if that part time work involves me showing up and just being there, or following mindless instructions (like burger flipping, or moving containers from one place to another) then as long as I'm not physically tired, and I can go back and do research for the rest of that day. But I doubt part time menial work would raise enough money to pay the bills.
- watwut 8y ago
  Then work 3-4 days and dedicate 1-2 to research and you still have weekend. I did not meant burger flipping. Burger flipping does not pay enough. I meant programming or other well paid job where you have good negotiating position. By "work religiously" was padt of semtemce that meant to watch time. Don't stay longer "just this one time".
- pauljurczak 8y ago
  Work as an independent contractor. Get a small project, spend a few days or weeks completing it. Work on your research for a few weeks. Rinse and repeat.