The easy way out for you is getting into a Phd program. You should have a easy way in if your research background is good. Now you might not want a PhD for var

The easy way out for you is getting into a Phd program. You should have a easy way in if your research background is good. Now you might not want a PhD for various reasons, but tech jobs are a bit more tricky to navigate nowadays. I'd honestly not hire someone in your position, there is really no easy to do it. Given that, the difficult way out is starting a company, which has an entirely different set of challenges.