After my employment ends, can I keep working without pay at my current research center, on independent research? I have a bachelor degree in Computer Engineering. I worked as a Research Engineer in a Research Center. It was a fully paid Engineering position funded by European projects.

However, my contract ended, and because there are not any more projects available at the moment, I can't be re-contracted.

My question:

Is it possible for someone to work as a freelance researcher? I have an idea of a platform I would like to work on. The idea, I think, could easily even become a paper. Is it possible that I could continue to work in the research center without being paid, and try to perform some research of my own? Of course I could ask my supervisors about it, but the thing is, I don't know how to ask it.

What I was thinking was they could provide me tools like the computer, mobile devices and a working desk to develop my idea (things that I was provided while working there). In the end it would be something that the university could present, but I would get credit for it for my CV, and it could be especially helpful in getting a good candidate position next year, in a Masters program I am aiming for.

How could I present an idea like this to my supervisor? Is it something that actually happens? 



Some notes in response to comments to clear things a bit: The problem is not that I need any kind of equipment to make my idea reality. At work I was provided a simple laptop and some mobile devices, that I can easily have access on my own, so nothing special there.

The reason why I would like to continue work there is as simple as that:

I want to propose an idea of a platform that I would like to create and according to my estimates would be 9-12 months of work. I could do that from my house or by going to work at the research center. However, I need my supervisor to draw public/scientific attention, make a paper with him out of it etc. I want to be able to write in my CV that the last 9-12 months I was working on a project at "that" research center in cooperation with "that" researcher and not that it was a "home" project that I developed.

I haven't made the proposition to my supervisor yet for the following reasons :


I am afraid that my supervisor could simply use my idea with the engineers that still have a contract there.
What I would like is to be the only one working on the project. Like a PhD thesis. I want to get credits of it. Not the research center. I want to get the credit as the main developer/author of this thing, and of course my supervisor be the one that would present it and his name next to mine. Is this even possible? I mean I don't want any other engineers sniffing their nose on it, I don't want my supervisor to demand things on the project. I am thinking of proposing  a complete solution of exactly what I have in mind, let me work on it with my time, without any funding, but the supervisor be the one to present it and draw attention on it.


In the end all I am saying is to have this project on my CV to open some doors on the future and my supervisor being the mentor of this thing.
Of course anyone can be an independent researcher.  Just do it.  But that's not what you're really asking.  The question you're really asking is this:


  How can I convince my former supervisor to let me continue using their equipment and resources after my current contract ends?


And the only reasonable answer that question is to turn in on its head.  What's in it for them?  How would they benefit from giving you an office and access to their equipment?  Is the payoff for them worth more to them than the resources that you would expend?  The fact that the project is good for you isn't enough.

There's an even more basic question: Do they have resources that they can give you access to?  The equipment that you want access to may be tied to the specific project.  They may not be able to give you access.  But the only person that can answer that question is your former supervisor.



Some updates in response to the updated question:


  However , i need my supervisor to draw public/scientific attention , make a paper with him out of it etc.


No, you don't.  You can write and submit a paper yourself.  You can publicize it yourself.  You can ask your former supervisor to help you publicize it; if your supervisor was your advisor and not just your boss, they'll be happy to help you, because your success makes them look good.


  I am afraid that he could simply use my idea with the engineers that still have a contract there.


You don't trust your supervisor.  So don't work with him.  Your mistrust is probably misplaced, but that's your call. To quote Howard Aiken: "Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats."


  of course my supervisor be the one that would present it and his name next to mine


Why "of course"?  Just do it yourself.


  i dont want my supervisor to demand things on the project.


No, that's not how it works. If you want your advisor to put his name on something, you must give him partial responsibility for that something.  That's what coauthorship means.


  I am thinking of proposing to him a complete solution of exactly what i have in mind , let me work on it with my time , without any fundings , but he ll be the one to present it and draw attention on it.


In other words, you want to do all the fun stuff, using your supervisor's resources, and leave the hard work of writing and presenting to your supervisor, but not allow them any actual input, and then claim credit for yourself.

That's just not going to happen.  If you want something from someone else — working space, laptops, Internet connection, help with writing and presentation, anything — you have to offer them something in return.  Either offer to make your supervisor a full partner, including veto power, or you do the work yourself, including all the writing and presentation, with your own equipment, on your own time.

Having the project on your CV will open more doors if you do it without your supervisor.