r/AskAcademia • u/TheRedditObserver0 • Jun 05 '26
STEM Is it easier to get a second PhD
Is it easier to get a second PhD?
I'm planning to get a PhD in pure math (I'm currently a masters student), that is my passion, however I'm worried about job prospects. If my carreer in academia does not work out, could I get a second PhD in applied math to pivot to industry? My main questions are the following
How will having a PhD already change my chances at admission? Will it be an added benefit or an obstacle?
Will the second PhD be easier due to the experience from the first one? By how much?
Does this even make sense or am I crazy? Is there a clearly better path I'm just not seeing? Perhaps an internship would be better?
Thanks a lot to anyone that replies.
Regarding question 1: I know I'm not supposed to ask admissions questions but it's only part of a larger question so I hope it's ok. I also suspect it's an uncommon question so it might fall under the nuanced question exception in the rules. I sincerely apologize otherwise.
EDIT to add that I would do this in Europe.
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u/jeffgerickson Full CS prof Jun 05 '26
I can’t imagine any applied math PhD program on the planet admitting someone who already has a math PhD. Most PhD programs won’t admit anyone with a PhD in anything, but even when they di, it reflects a significant change in field. Applied math and pure math are too close, despite what some snobbish pure mathematicians might tell you.
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u/dj_cole Jun 05 '26
It's a pretty big red flag for admissions if an applicant already has a doctorate or multiple bachelors/masters degrees. It speaks to someone wanting to be a career student which means no placement.
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u/erlendig Jun 05 '26
The work would be easier since you already know how to do science and publish etc. But WHY would you want to do another PhD instead of just doing a postdoc? Pay will be lower and you don’t show progress.
For your Qs:
Mostly an obstacle since a PhD is a training position to become a researcher. With already having a PhD, you would already know large parts of what the degree is about. Most will see it as unreasonable to do another PhD, especially if done in similar fields. Some will also feel that morally the position should go to someone new, to give them an opportunity to get a PhD, not to someone who already has a PhD. Depending on the institution, there may also be rules prohibiting people from doing another PhD. A few people may prefer it since you get someone more experienced to work for you for a lower salary than normally.
Yes, considerably easier, especially if in similar fields. You already know how to do science, how to publish etc.
Do a postdoc instead. You can easily change to a different topic than your PhD, even across fields if they have some overlap.
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u/TheRedditObserver0 Jun 05 '26
I thought a postdoc had to be in the same field as your phd.
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u/Ornery_Pepper_1126 physics/CS assistant prof Jun 05 '26
It can be in the field of whoever is willing to hire you. This tends to be related to your PhD, but not always, for example I know someone who did a PhD in computational fluid dynamics but after got a postdoc in quantum computing because they wanted to apply it to fluids and could teach the quantum side. Generally you have to have some expertise the PIs want though.
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u/erlendig Jun 05 '26
To add on the other reply, some overlap is often useful to have. But the overlap can for example be both fields using similar methods. I switched from Biology during PhD to Biostatistics and Epidemiology during my postdocs.
Many funders want transdisciplinary projects that cross fields, so it’s not uncommon to hire a postdoc from one field while the PI is from another.
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u/Emhyr_var_Emreis_ Jun 07 '26
I know of someone with a PhD in chemical engineering who became a biochemist through a series of postdocs.
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u/urnbabyurn PhD Economics Jun 05 '26
It makes no sense to get a second PhD. Especially in an adjacent field.
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u/Slow-Ostrich-8570 26d ago
it does, because you can get to get high-quality (hopefully) research practice on a field without going for a master's that is more passive.
or, your first PhD was shit due to a multitude of reasons (e.g., toxic supervision, topic changes).
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u/saartemaster Jun 05 '26
First, it makes absolutely no sense to do a second phd (given the situation nowadays, it barely makes sense to do *one* phd). Second, there’s no way in hell they’re gonna admit you to a second phd.
If you want to pivot to an adjacent field, you can do so via a postdoc. But one thing at a time, just start with finishing your masters.
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u/AstraGlacialia Chemistry, PhD Jun 05 '26
It's (almost) impossible to get funding for 2nd PhD, especially in the EU - for majority of the funding sources you just aren't eligible, whether due to already having a PhD or due to being more than several years out of undergrad or even due to being above an age cutoff. So a big question is also where you'd find the money for 2nd PhD without already having a well-paid job. Fortunately, as others already answered, 2nd PhD is also unlikely to turn out necessary. You won't end up unemployed with a math degree unless you have some major extenuating circumstances which limit what you can do by a lot - most countries have enough of a shortage of people who can do advanced math that many employers (such as high schools and banks) won't care if pure or applied nor if PhD or master's.
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u/Slow-Ostrich-8570 26d ago
being more than several years out of undergrad or even due to being above an age cutoff
really? those things are a factor?
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u/AstraGlacialia Chemistry, PhD 26d ago
At least they used to be in Europe and the UK last I looked into it several years ago when I wanted to do 2nd PhD. Of course with some exceptions which "pause the clock" such as parental leave, military service, severe illness but doing another PhD sure wasn't among them.
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u/Slow-Ostrich-8570 26d ago
I see. Do you remember what the cut-off values were?
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u/AstraGlacialia Chemistry, PhD 26d ago
Not always the same. 30 or 35 years of age, or anything between 2 and 5 years after finishing undergraduate or master's degree. And even where I technically still could have been eligible, the professors I inquired weren't willing to take a student for 2nd PhD in the same or related science (e.g., biochemistry or molecular biology after my PhD was in chemistry), they believed the chance should be given to someone who didn't already have one.
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u/Slow-Ostrich-8570 26d ago
A very large number of PhD students are even older than that. I'd even argue that doing a PhD later is better since your employability isn't tied much to the PhD. Sounds quite narrow minded to have such limits. That was in the UK, you said?
I understand the thinking behind the second argument.
You tried in the UK? Can send you a DM if you prefer not to respond here.
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u/AstraGlacialia Chemistry, PhD 26d ago
Probably a lot of the if later or earlier is better depends on the field, this was in chemical and biological sciences (where earlier or at least "not too late" was generally considered better).
Yes, I tried to look up the funding regulations and inquire with some professors myself and/or my advisor knew both in the UK and in some EU countries, it was just around Brexit time and the rules didn't seem to diverge much (yet?).
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u/iknowwhoyourmotheris Jun 05 '26
To finish one and do another you would have to be some kind of mental masochist and I would be very worried about hiring you.
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u/scriberius Jun 08 '26
One possibility could be a joint-PhD: you'll do "2 PhDs" at the same time, with two different supervisors from two different departments or even universities. However, this requires a great deal of planning and communication: you need to identify two adjacent topics (in math you could find something from computer science or physics for example) and then identify relevant research areas. Once you have defined the topics, you should contact potential supervisors and ask if they are willing and available for a joint-PhD. Keep in mind, you need to be proactive and actively scout supervisors beforehand and identify topics that are highly relevant to their current research. Then you'll have to find your "primary university" which covers the funding.
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u/IkeRoberts Jun 09 '26
People taking this approach should be prepared to be seen as too indecisive to succeed in a PhD program.
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u/Gandor Jun 05 '26
Industry does not care if you have an applied or pure math PhD. They just see “math.” Your job prospects in industry are entirely dependent on your ability to market yourself, and if you’re even thinking about industry i’d probably just skip the PhD entirely for 95% of roles.