For many PhD graduates entering the employment market with recent research training under their belt, a career in research and higher education would seem to be the obvious choice. After all, that is the kind of work they have been trained to do. However, with the steep rise in PhD graduations in recent years, and growing demand within the private and public sectors for innovative capability, universities are no longer the only career option. Some evidence seems to point to a problematic job market for PhD graduates and difficulties in securing employment after graduation. However, there is si
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For many PhD graduates entering the employment market with recent research training under their belt, a career in research and higher education would seem to be the obvious choice. After all, that is the kind of work they have been trained to do. However, with the steep rise in PhD graduations in recent years, and growing demand within the private and public sectors for innovative capability, universities are no longer the only career option. Some evidence seems to point to a problematic job market for PhD graduates and difficulties in securing employment after graduation. However, there is significant demand in the private and public sector for people with deep knowledge and sound research and analytical skills. If there is a gap that needs bridging, it could be a lack of understanding on the part of employers outside academia of the value of engaging a PhD scholar or graduate to meet these needs.
In this collaborative project between the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and CSIRO Data61's student-employer matching platform, Ribit.net, we illuminate current engagement between industry and research graduates. We have investigated which sectors within the Australian workforce employ PhD holders, and what the career ambitions of current PhD students are. Our focus is on PhD graduates already working, or having the ambition to work outside of academia: What sectors are the most research and innovation intensive and employ the most PhDs? Who are the top PhD recruiters among Australian businesses? What, if any, are the differences between PhD graduates from various fields of study?
This analysis is a first step in a broader campaign to: encourage Australian businesses (big and small) to expand their capability, innovative capability and global competitiveness through hiring PhD scholars and graduates; and promote further engagement between industry and the research sector in Australia in a bid to increase our productivity in a fast-changing world.
Excerpt from publication.
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