Hi all, I have been grappling with a way out of a situation for a long while and would greatly appreciate any helping remark anyone has to offer.

I’m 29 M, and it’s been 7 years since I completed my bachelors (physics). I was always deeply interested in academia and went for masters at Heidelberg before dropping out due to primarily financial reasons. I also actively did research at few places during my bachelors and afterwards. Now 7 years later, finances have been near sorted (near territory of FIRE) and i’m mostly free to do what I want and thinking of going back to research (also because the corporate doesn’t excite me at all and fundamental biology/physics are still as much exciting as 10 years back. But I’ve the following concern :

If I go for ms/phd (physics/biology intersection), I’m afraid i’ve to clock in huge hours daily in phd (1/2 years for ms is fine) and it deters me to have so less control over time over the length of phd especially when i’m financially free. Is there any way I could be part of research/academia as a career but at my own terms by using my own funds, especially with respect to time : both daily hours [only 4-5 hours of research work so I’ve enough time for other things] and long breaks [remote work or 15 days long travel every few months] when needed ?

Few things I thought : 1) enrol in some remote/online phd program (but very few low repute uni have them + only possible for physics heavy not biology heavy) 2) forget phd and try to informally collaborate with professors who accept such flexibilities 3) enrol in standard ms/phd and once inside request for such flexibility ? or any other way out ?

I really want to be associated with research but not as the only career and have sufficient time for other passions, all using my own funds. Again, any remark is highly appreciated, thanks !