[jimmyvalmer]

I attempted something similar and I lasted about a day before it dawned upon me that an MS was really what I was after. A PhD is really a young person's game. Just as you don't attend conservatory later in life to become a performance musician, you don't "catch up" on a PhD to become a research scientist -- that boat has sailed. I know it's not what you want to hear, especially since you're already nontrivially invested.

It's sad because I probably stole a slot from some poor, smart kid from Nepal.

[speedgoose]

I have a co-worker who worked many many years in Research. He is currently the oldest or second oldest employee of a large research organisation. He finished his PhD a few years ago when he was 60+ years old.

[b9r5]

I had a friend in grad school who entered the Ph.D. program after spending four years in industry. He was very passionate about his research area, persistent, a fountain of ideas, and wonderful to talk with. He ended up winning the ACM doctoral dissertation award for his thesis, did research and teaching at a university, and has since returned to industry.

This may be the exception that proves the rule. However I just wanted to point out that there is at least one person who did catch up to become a research scientist, however rare that career path might be.

[unemphysbro]

I noticed my colleagues that started the PhD with industry experience were often more focused with their goals.

[SheddingPattern]

That proves the point he was only mid-twenties so still young

[b9r5]

Agreed. Just trying to help OP, who also appears to be young ("I graduated with a CS bachelors degree a few years ago").