What is the first job of a PhD holder?
What does the first job of a PhD holder look like? In what sector do they work, are they still involved in research...?
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What is the sector of the first employment?
This graph shows for each science cluster the different career paths.
For example, for social sciences, 73% has their first job at a university, 1% in a hospital, 5% in non-profit,….
Social sciences includes psychology, economy, political & social sciences, and educational sciences.
Biomedical sciences includes biomedical science, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, medicine, social health science and physical education.
Science includes earth science, biology, computer science, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Applied sciences includes architecture, civil engineering, electronics, information technology, materials technology, technical chemistry, applied biological sciences, and mechanics.
Humanities includes historical science, literary studies, legal science, theology, and philosophy.
Scientific domain
Gender
Year
Full sample
Note: a job at a university also includes non-research jobs, such as policy advisors, business developers, etc.
What is the type of contract for the first job?
Our results showed that the majority of PhD holders had an open-ended contract on their first job after obtaining the PhD (53%). Also almost half had a temporary contract with no prospect on a permanent position (42%). Only a small percentage had a temporary contract with a prospect on a permanent position (6%).
Are PhD holders still involved in research in their first job?
The majority of our respondents was involved in applied research in their first job after obtaining the PhD (42%). About 1/3 were involved in basic research. Lastly, 24% was involved in experimental research. Interesting, 40% was not involved in research anymore in their first job.
Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.
Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge, but directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective.
Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience, that is directed to producing new materials, products, and devices; to installing new processes, systems and services; or to improving substantially those already produced or installed.
No research includes all PhD holders that did not indicate any of the previous categories.
Note: Respondents could indicate multiple fields of research in the survey. For example: a respondent could be involved in both applied and basic research. If none of the three options were indicated, they were classified under no research.