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•       Resources       15 Tips on Surviving Your PhD Program

15 Tips on Surviving Your PhD Program

15 tips and advice on making it through a phd.

It can be extremely challenging to complete a PhD program while maintaining physical and emotional health. The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that 50 percent of all doctoral students drop out of graduate school without completing their degree. Some schools report a 90 percent attrition rate. Common reasons for dropping out include academic shortcomings, students who change their career path, or those who lose interest in their pursuit. Some students have the ability to complete their degree but opt not to. One cause is the discovery of a poor job market for professors or private organizations in their fields. The Chronicle reports that math and science students leave in their third year. Some 25 percent of dropouts in Arts and Humanities occur after three years, potentially leaving candidates with high student debt and despair. This guide offers examples of concrete, accessible, and practical actions that can alleviate many problems that overwhelm doctoral students.

15 Tips on Surviving Your PhD

There is a legion of experts that offer advice on making it through the years of your PhD program. Many agree on the necessities of maintaining a balance of academic pursuits against routine personal outside activities that foster physical and emotional health. Here are 15 suggestions:

1. Establish a routine you can follow.

It’s crucial to stay on track. Your best option to do so and keep peace of mind is to create a schedule that you can follow – and commit to following it. Get up and do your work on schedule, just as you’d report for a job. Devote segments of your routine for research and reading pertinent literature in your field. Add time in your schedule to include sound sleep, good nutrition, exercise, socializing and recreation. Remember you’ll have other obligations such as attending lectures, symposia, commuting, parking, cleaning your living space, shopping for supplies, meeting with study groups and peer collaborators. At the same time, build a realistic schedule so you won’t work yourself into fear frenzy.

2. Start writing from day one.

Your writing practice and research methodology can put you ahead of schedule on your dissertation. That’s because learning to write comfortably in a scholarly fashion should become a second nature. To eliminate last-minute furies, organize your research times, round up and cite sources properly, and create a number of drafts. Writing at least 30 minutes daily can allow you to consolidate your notes and findings, and note discovery of areas that require additional research. Plus, much of what you write goes directly toward your understanding of your subject matter. Because of your other commitments to teaching, collaboration, and outside activities, keep a writing routine and stick to it. At the same time, read smarter, understanding how the literature fits to your purposes. In reading and writing, look for key points, not bulk.

3. Create a positive community.

Decide from the begging that you can’t afford to collaborate or socialize with friends or peers that exude negativity. Braggards or chronic complainers can sap your energy or even cause you to adopt negative thinking or comparisons with the progress of other PhD candidates. Lead your own research, but seek advisement from people that you can trust, who have your best interests at heart. Join groups involved in your major field of study with which you can share academic as well as social issues. A positive community can bring you out of isolation, and isolation can foster fear or despair.

4. Build effective networks.

Along with creating a positive community, get on with networking from the very beginning of your program. You’re going to spend four or five years at the university, giving you ample time to forge and grow partnerships with working professionals, educators, junior faculty, and peers that contribute to your evolving knowledge base. They can offer suggestions to explorer literature, research trends, and potential opportunities for publications, conferences, and workshops. Remember to investigate online tools and communities as part of your networking as a way to make yourself known as a colleague. Create your professional/research profile at places like LinkedIn or join a LinkedIn Discussion Group. Speak with presenters at seminars. Connect with authors you discover in your literature research and participate in career groups outside your usual sphere at the university. Finally, consider taking informational interviews as a means of understanding the workplace, getting your name out there, and connecting with potential employers.

5. Put money woes to rest.

Having ample money to get you through your program can be difficult, even excruciating. But just knowing solid funding resources can give you some comfort and save precious time. Have a financial plan and do the legwork vital to your economic survival. Don’t let finances overwhelm your primary purpose of discovering your interests, focusing on your expertise, and making progress. Financial aid options for doctoral students are available at the U.S. Department of Education . You may need to combine several opportunities to cover your total expenses, including grants, scholarships, loans, fellowships, housing costs, and securing teaching and research assistantships. Some grad students make money tutoring but you’ll have to consider the time against your routine and academic schedule. GoGrad provides detailed PhD cost estimates broken down by professional field, along with scholarship/grant/fellowship search tools.

6. Make sound nutrition your ally.

Rutgers University advises students to find other ways to palliate stress than by overeating – even healthy foods. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and all your meals at the right portion sizes. Cut out junk food and sugary treats that create the craving to keep eating them. That goes for alcohol, too, which can contribute to a decline in your health and create another source of worry. Student and faculty events often include drinking, so proceed wisely, even if peers call you a wimp. Vary your meals and include a free day for eating what you want without guilt. WebMd suggests that students include berries, oats, milk or yogurt, salmon, dark green veggies, walnuts, beans, and dark chocolate. Coffee is okay in small doses (8 oz) and without lots of sugar. Latte and mocha drinks are satisfying but often contain large amounts of sugar. Green tea can wake you up, if you don’t want to overdo coffee, but eschew energy drinks or other stimulants that make you jittery.

7. Add exercise to your routine.

Exercise, even moderate, can do wonders for both your physical and emotional wellbeing. Among its benefits, regular exercise fights stress, improves memory retention, and boosts your mood (particularly in winter). Researchers at Colorado Tech report that exercise increases “the number of brain cells in the hippocampus, which controls the formation, retention and recall of memories – all essential for student success. In most adults, the hippocampus starts to shrink in the late twenties, leading to memory loss over time.” Exercise can also add to your social bandwidth if you have regular workout partners or participate in intramural team activities. Remember to stretch. Consider taking a yoga class or Pilates workout. Do some running, weight lifting, swimming, or join a rowing group. Hike with friends or colleagues. Get out the mountain bike. For best results, get in a 30-minute workout at least three times a week. Time Magazine reports that cardiovascular exercise can positively affect depression, anxiety and mood disorders. And you’ll sleep better, too.

8. Learn how to deal with rejection.

Rejection in an PhD program is a routine, unwanted emotional downer. But how you react to it is crucial. Unsolicited advice can feel abusive. Competition for internships, fellowships and publications can stress you out to the point of collapse. Coping tools include not taking rejection or undue criticism personally and chalking it up to experience. It can soften the blows as they come. Comparing yourself to other candidates can be toxic. As with athletics, there will always be someone better than you. But you’re not pursuing your colleagues’ goals, dissertations, or even the identical degree – you’re pursuing personalized knowledge and skills for your life after the doctorate. Barbara Robson, an Associate Editor for two academic journals, writes in Quora that most papers (80 percent or more) are rejected and that there’s an element of luck in getting published. If your paper is rejected by a journal, find another suitable place to submit it. If you’re passed over for a conference, don’t sent a hate letter or academic rebuttal. Move on.

9. Choose a qualified graduate advisor and mentor.

Finding the right mentor and dissertation advisor is pivotal to your academic success and survival. The Gradhacker Blog at Inside Higher Ed suggests that you choose an advisor that shares your research interests and career path. Ask about their success rate in graduating students that they mentor. Check out whether they walk the walk by viewing their list of publications, conference presentations, and other research accomplishments. Find out if they’re available for ongoing advising. Explore their aptitude as a mentor and the personal chemistry toward working together. Are they hard to communicate with, abusive or condescending? Are they unable to otherwise maintain a productive and respectful relationship during the time you’ll be in the program? Not all accomplished professors make for good advisors. Some may be too wrapped up in publishing or attending conferences to meet with you. You should leave advising sessions feeling more focused, energetic about your research and dissertation, and armed with strategies for accomplishment.

10. Build in time for family and friends.

There’s an old joke where a friend asks if you can hang out and you say, “I’m in a PhD program so ask me again in five years.” It’s vital to maintain relationships with family and friends. They can sustain you and keep you from deadly isolation. At the same time, they can be distracting. It’s useful to maintain balance by scheduling time with family and friends while sticking to the need to bear down on research and writing. The PhDStudent Forum says when possible to combine family or friend events around studying. For example, take study time for yourself during a longer visit to family to keep your academic momentum. Visit a coffeehouse where you can study along with family and friends that also like reading in public. Be sure to communicate clearly about your schedule and find ways to book in indispensable phone calls and visits. Join friends for exercise or recreation.

11. Set aside time to pursue non-academic interests.

Yeah right, when is that supposed to happen? It happens when you make it happen. To maintain a sane equilibrium, devote some time to routinely indulge in things you like doing. For example, work in the garden, take a massage class, learn photography, play live music, go kayaking, join a cooking class, volunteer in civic or advocacy activities or learn a foreign language. Build something with your hands. Play scrabble. Paint to indulge your playful or creative side. Take a dance class. Learn meditation or improve your ping pong game. Because it can be near impossible to turn off your PhD brain, relegate it to background noise. That way you might have breakthroughs or discoveries that emerge when you return to work.

12. Arrange and maintain a peaceful learning environment.

Living alone may create a peaceful learning atmosphere, but not if you have noisy neighbors above, next door, or below you. Yet you can develop a horrible sense of cabin fever if you isolate at home. Wherever you reside should be comfortable and workable. Clutter can be a source of stress. According to Inside Higher Ed , living with roommates can save on expenses, but comes along with its own set of challenges. Roommates can have other routines and schedules that introduce unwanted noise, emotional drama, unwanted guests, or social habits that can send you off the edge. Research potential housemates carefully, allowing a back-up plan for dealing with inevitable problems. Developing a friendly but direct communication strategy can help. Or, you can create a work zone in your bedroom that lends for privacy. If necessary, you can find a quiet study environment in a library carrel or small café. The same suggestions apply if you’re living with family.

13. Address your emotional health.

According to Inside Higher Ed , there is a mental health crisis in graduate education. Grad students are six times more susceptible to anxiety and depression than in the general population. The study found that “transgender and gender-nonconforming graduate students, along with women, were significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression” than their straight or male counterparts. A poor work-life balance can be a powerful contributor to burnout and depression. The worst thing you can do when you experience mental health issues is to keep them to yourself or feel like a failure for having them. Seek out the campus counseling center (student health center) or a trusted outside mental health organization for personal counselling. Join their emotional support groups. The National Grad Crisis Line (877 472-3457) provides free intervention services, confidential telephone counseling, suicide prevention assistance, and referral services. Look into NAMI on Campus Clubs which are student-run mental health support organizations.

14. Deal with expectations

Who you are, ultimately, is not a PhD student. Your grad program is what you’re currently pursuing. The Indiana University guide to thriving in graduate school suggests that you shrink overwhelming expectations into bite-size challenges. It’s normal for doctoral students to think that they’re an imposter among experts. Johns Hopkins University found that striving to meet your expectations can cause low self-esteem, procrastination, guilt and depression. You may find yourself unable to meet your expectations for perfectionism, so modify your plans to hit deadlines with your best effort. The guide further advises to straighten out the expectations that others may have for you. This can be especially true with families and people who provide financial or emotional support.

15. Make conferences a part of life.

Opportunities to attend conferences and presentations are richly rewarding. First, you become part of the greater community in your research niche and you can build a lifetime network of colleagues. You can also gain a greater understanding of the professional options available to you. Even attending conferences out of your niche area can stimulate ideas and send you home refreshed. Participating in panels is a great way to network and demonstrate your expertise. Attending job fairs is another way to network while exploring the professional environment. By networking at conferences, you can set up additional meetings with experts by phone, virtually, or before the next conference. It doesn’t hurt to cite conferences and your own presentations on your CV.

From the Expert

What are PhD students afraid to talk about?

The number one thing that PhD students are afraid to talk about is the lack of progress that they are making on their PhD dissertation. This was certainly true in my case and also in the case of many of my classmates whom I spoke with. The dissertation is such a big project with different stages in it and requires such self-discipline over a sustained period of time. When I got past my embarrassment about it and started speaking to others about it helped a lot and I found a way forward.

Another thing that PhD students are afraid to discuss is their ambivalence about being in a doctoral program and whether they've done the right thing and whether they should continue. These are all important questions that such students need to be aware of and speak to others (counsellor, friends, etc.) about.

What was your greatest challenge and how did you succeed?

As mentioned, my greatest challenge in relation to completing my PhD was getting through the dissertation process. Two things really helped me get over the line (and came from speaking to friends and classmates). (1) Since my dissertation was quantitative, I hired a statistics advisor that I met with on a regular (weekly or fortnightly) basis and this helped me make good progress in that it served to provide much needed structure (and assistance with statistical analysis). (2) I fired my dissertation chair and found a new one that I had a much better working relationship with. My new chair was more knowledgeable about my dissertation subject area and also he was much more supportive. I made significant progress with him and thereafter completed my dissertation in a relatively short time frame.

What are good ways to alleviate stress and anxiety?

There are a number of ways that I think will help with stress while working on one's phd. The usual suspects are approaches such as regular exercise, good diet, fun activities (e.g. movies), counselling and/or talking to friends and/or family.

However, I think the best approach that one can take is to get steadily work through each aspect one-by-one of the PhD program towards completing it. A useful way to think about it (with both the dissertation and the PhD program itself), is to not get overwhelmed by the size of this enormous project but instead cut it up into separate pieces and focus on each piece at a time, complete it, and then move on to the next piece.

How did you handle the challenges of extreme competition?

My tip for students who are experiencing high levels of competition is to try put it all into perspective: Do your best to get the finest resources (internships, grades, etc) that you can but know that once you're out in the profession, some of those things might really matter that much in the bigger picture. So, one can be just a 'pass' in your doctoral program but then get out into their profession and make a big splash.

What can you recommend to keep interest or inertia up so you’ll finish the PhD/Dissertation?

‘Cut up the sausage' and focus on/work on it a piece at a time; Locate assistance or supportive individuals and meet with them regularly and ongoing throughout; Create 'deadlines' and milestones for yourself to work towards and have these other (helpful) individuals assist in keeping you accountable.

Find ways that work for you that help to bring structure into this enormous unstructured (or scantily structured) project called a PhD -- and especially its dissertation. At the end of the day, it's really about just getting through it and into the next (and bigger) stage of your profession. Just do your best while you're in it and don't get too caught up in the moment.

Additional Resources & Help for PhD Students

You should realize that you can’t do everything on your own. To do so is a recipe for financial despair, insurmountable academic challenges and poor overall wellbeing. At the same time, you may need to sift through the wealth of outside resources to find the one that addresses your concerns. The following links will connect you with financial options, bulletin boards in your field, and academic resources. Find tips for time management, exam preparation, and help with emotional issues that can and will arise:

• GoGrad Guide to Paying for Your PhD : Students are currently paying upwards of $80,00 in tuition to complete their PhD. Use our guide to research your financial aid options.
• PhinisheD : This free, comprehensive bulletin board is devoted to PhD students struggling with completing their degree. Find links for reference guides, financial aid, health and well-being tips, and writing guides.
• National Grad Crisis Line : It’s for when the going gets rough. The National Grad Crisis Line at (877) 472-3457 was founded in 1988 to provide free mentoring, confidential counseling, and referral services.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : The CDC offers a pithy, wide-ranging college resource for maintaining wellness through sound nutrition and exercise. It offers diet plans, activity guidelines, and stress-prevention tips.
• U.S. Department of Education : Learn about financial aid for graduate or professional students including grants, loans and scholarships. The page links to government sites for applications and additional financial resources.
• ThoughtCo : This site is packed with articles on graduate school written by experts. Topics include prepping for comprehensive exams, time-management skills, and dealing with procrastination.
• Meetup : Student Meetups provide free, online listings for students to connect PhD candidates seeking peer support. Join an existing group or start one at your university.
• GoGrad : Discover tips for PhD students who want to complete their degrees online. Featured affordable online doctoral fields include business, computer science, criminal justice, education, nursing and psychology.
• The Grad Café : As host of graduate-school forums, the Grad Café operates a peer-run group that discusses the advantages and negative aspects of living alone or sharing housing.
• PhDJobs : Register for free and post your VC. Search among 1,600 current listings for PhDs and sign up for job alerts or information about post-doc programs.

101 Health and Wellness Tips for College Students Rutgers University

12 Tips for Surviving and Thriving in Grad School PsychCentral

CAPS Grad School Survival Guide Indiana University

Mental Health Crisis for Grad Students Inside Higher Ed

Modest Advice for New Graduate Students Medium.com

Surviving PhD and Postdoctoral Programs: Tips to Guarantee Success! Enago Academy

The Crucial Issue of Doctoral Non-completion The Chronical of Higher Education

Top 10 Smart Foods for College Students WebMD

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Phd graduates: a guide to life after your degree, published by steve tippins on june 25, 2022 june 25, 2022.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:49 am

What do PhD students do after they graduate? What should they do? And what are the unexpected challenges and limitations they encounter?

The first thing a PhD graduate should do is rest and gather their thoughts. It can actually feel stressful to rest after you’re finished because you’re used to pushing yourself to the limit. It can almost be a letdown for some people to have time to rest. However, it is vital to allow yourself to return to a baseline that is a healthy pace of life. Take time and gather your thoughts. 

After that, it’s time to take a look at how to navigate your career after you graduate with your PhD.

Getting a Job as a PhD Graduate

Traditionally, many people moved on to academia after getting their PhD . They would become a professor or instructor. The ideal was to become an assistant professor and do the teaching, research, and service needed to continue; then become an associate professor; and then get tenure and eventually become a professor. That has been the traditional route for people with PhDs . 

But what people do with a PhD is expanding dramatically. In some fields such as education, having a doctorate leads to administrative positions. Many principals and superintendents with doctorates, whether it’s a PhD or EdD, use their degree to enhance their career outside of colleges and universities. They do administrative activities and fill administrative roles in school systems or specific schools. 

Are Universities Failing PhD Graduates?

“Instead of seeking work across society, many highly skilled doctorate holders end up teaching a course here and there – for low wages – in the vanishing hope of full-time jobs as professors. This proliferation of adjunct labor devalues the people doing it and the academic workplace together.” – The Conversation

People are beginning to wonder: Is getting a PhD worth it? Are schools actually doing the right thing by putting out more PhDs? 

Over-Producing PhDs

There are more PhDs than academic jobs at this time. And, the pandemic didn’t help hiring; uncertainties are all over the place. The number of college-age students is lower, so demand for professors is lower. 

What have many universities done in response to all this? They have said, “we are not going to hire tenure track people, we will hire instructors or even adjunct professors.” Doing so frees them from the obligations of tenure. 

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Tenure is almost like locking people up for lifetime contracts. Abandoning this practice gives universities a lot more flexibility to handle their demand. However, this also means that there is a whole group of people who are getting paid a lot less. 

This is especially hard on those in adjunct positions who have earned a PhD. They have spent lots of years working to get paid $2,000 to $10,000 to teach a class. It’s hard to support yourself on that, let alone support a family and pay student loans.

The Adjunct Faculty Rut

Many people who come from a PhD program get stuck in the adjunct faculty rut while searching for a full-time position. They have to do the research to keep current, but they could make more money working a $15 to $20 an hour job that doesn’t require much education. People entering a PhD program should understand that is one of the realities they may face. Now, many people consider careers outside of academia and what a PhD can do for them.

Careers Outside of Academia

Challenges for PhDs Looking for Jobs Outside Academia

One of the challenges people with PhDs face is having employers understand who they are, what their skills are, and why they should hire a PhD. Some people have this perception that PhDs are overqualified to work for them. Other people think PhDs are just theoretical and want somebody who will “actually do work.” You have to combat that thought process. 

Selling the Skill Set of a PhD to Non-Academic Employers

Presenting the skills you acquired doing a PhD to employers and showing them that your skill set is going to be highly valuable is one challenge. This will be less of a challenge over time as more PhDs enter the workforce. 

How do you sell the skill set of a PhD to a non-academic employer? It’s all about communicating the skills you acquired and proved by doing your PhD. Here are some examples:

• In order to get a PhD, you had to be highly organized. 
• In order to keep track of all the research you were doing, you had to be able to carry out a long-term project. 
• You had to be able to work with people, even though some may think you did it alone. 
• You had to be able to work with a committee and essentially manage a group of people. 
• You have planning skills: the planning of your degree, doing the research, and then carrying out the research. It’s a huge endeavor and skill set. 
• You have the technical skills 
• Critical thinking has become part of your normal life. You bring the ability to look at problems from many different sides and then break the problem down and come up with the creative solutions employers are looking for. 

PhDs have to market the skill set more than the degree.

How Does the Glut of PhDs Affect Society?

From a positive perspective, having a group of highly educated people with the skills we just outlined is potentially highly beneficial for society. People within society with these skills can help solve and tackle many problems. 

However, on the opposite side, to get a PhD, you spend time outside of the productive world. You have what some economists might call pent-up demand for materials and services. If there’s a glut of PhDs and you don’t have the capacity to get the jobs you wanted within academia, that can cause unemployment. 

For example, there are places in the United States like Austin, Texas where they say all the taxi drivers have PhDs. People fall in love with Austin, but there aren’t many jobs there. They dedicate huge portions of their life to their PhD and then end up working in jobs they never needed that degree for. 

Is Getting a PhD a Waste of Time?

You shouldn’t get a PhD for financial rewards. However, there is joy in following the pursuit of knowledge. If you are the type of person who really wants to answer questions, explore issues, and come up with solutions, a PhD may be an ideal route for you. If this is the case for you, figure out how to monetize it and become successful. 

For many people, there’s no greater feeling than finding a problem and then providing solutions to it. That can be the beauty and non-monetary reward of being involved in a PhD. Just make sure to cover the financial side of things as well.

Final Thoughts

When you’re doing a PhD, you are surrounded by people who are also on a quest. The camaraderie of supporting each other on these quests can be very rewarding. 

Ultimately, you should not enter into a PhD program lightly. You should understand not only the process of getting a PhD – the rules and procedures – but also why you want to get a PhD. What about it is going to be worth over three years of your life? Explore that, and if you can answer that question, a PhD can be very rewarding.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Drawing your roadmap for life after the PhD

A topic that we've discussed a number of times on this blog is "life after the PhD". We have discussed  career options after the PhD , I've given  advice on what a reader should do after the PhD ,  moving around the world for your career after the PhD ,  working as a scholar in the gulf region ,  the job interview ,  the benefit of your academic skills for future employers ,  how to frame your mind for a job after the PhD ,  how to find a job outside of academia ,  how to plan an academic career , and  how to figure out which career path may be good for you .

Today, I am showing you a possible roadmap on how to prepare yourself for your career after your PhD. This roadmap is not set in stone, of course. It is a collection of ideas and questions to help you frame your mind. If early on during your PhD, you feel like you'd like to stay in academia, that doesn't mean that your decision is made and that you can't change your mind. Thinking about your next steps, and exploring options is a better way to prepare yourself than writing your thesis and then waiting for a job to magically be offered to you.

1,5 years into your PhD

It's never too early to start thinking about what you'd like to do after your PhD. After 1,5 years in your program, you probably have a good impression of what working in academia means, and what type of (strange?) beast the academic is. You don't have to decide on anything yet, but you can start thinking about your options after your PhD, and make some choices based on your interests. If you are interested in the industry, plan to attend career fairs in the future to learn about possible employers, and visit the exhibition hall at conferences.

To help you and your fellow researchers find your career path, AcademicTransfer developed a new career platform: AcademicsConnected . Here you can explore six research focused career journeys in and outside academia, get expert advice and read personal stories from other researchers.

When you start to think about your options, think about what would work for you and your family. Would it work for you and your family to move to the other side of the world for a post-doc position? Are you willing to move away from your home at all? Can you gamble on a short-term contract, perhaps with low pay, or does your family need your income? Consider your ideal conditions first.

If you find it difficult to answer these questions, then write for yourself what your ideal work looks like. Which tasks do you do? Do you travel? Do you commute? How does your ideal day look like? Do you want to work part-time perhaps to spend time with your kids in the afternoon? Define for yourself what you want, and start making it happen.

1,5 years before graduating

Now is a good time to start thinking more seriously about your plans for after your PhD. If you can't define a direction you want to focus on for after your PhD, see if you can get help from a career counselor. Most universities offer some sort of support for their students. If possible, get one-on-one coaching with a career counselor, or stop by to brainstorm with one of them or with a trusted person within HR, so that you can get the ideas from an outsider. If your university offers workshops around the topic of finding employment after the PhD, sign up to such a workshop or series of workshops.

On AcademicsConnected you can do a self-assessment to reflect on your talents and skills, which might help you in your search.

Discuss with your supervisor and colleagues about your options. Catch up with recent graduates from your PhD program to learn from their experience. At conferences, talk to recent PhD graduates. If a conference is organized through a professional organization, they often have a career center (sometimes available as a booth at the conference) - visit them and learn from them.

1 year before graduating

Hopefully, you've been able to do some good thinking for yourself over the past few months, and have been able to exchange ideas with HR professionals as well as with recent PhD graduates in your field. If you've identified for yourself which career paths call your attention, start to work more actively towards getting a job.

Don't just scroll through job openings online. Mention to your friends and colleagues that you will be graduating soon, and that you are exploring options. If you are looking for an opportunity in a certain sector, see if you can meet with an acquaintance from this sector for coffee to learn from his/her/their experience, and ask for advice. Don't list somebody as a reference on your resume unless you have a good working relationship - so don't try to make your contact in this sector your reference right away.

Send your resume to companies and institutions of your interest. See how you can get a foot in the door by volunteering at industry events, going for a short research exchange, or do some case studies for a public institution. Just don't think that, because you've shown your face, you are entitled to a job - but show up, and show what you can bring to the table.

6 months before graduating

Interview time! Have you heard from anybody to whom you sent your resume? If not, don't panic (and don't start stalking people). If necessary, make another appointment with a career counselor to revise your resume and give you extra advice. If you seem to find it hard to get noticed by employers, work with a recruiter.

Need some help in preparing your CV and personal pitch? The Career Buddy provides tips and preparation activities, so you get ready for your career move.

If you're invited for an interview, go prepared. Do your "homework." Learn about the company, its people, and identify for yourself what you can bring to the table. At the same time, define for yourself what you want. Return to your description of your ideal job: which tasks excite you? What do you expect in return from your employer? What is non-negotiable for you? Would you opt for more salary or for more holidays?

when finishing your dissertation

Time to celebrate! If you finish and publish your dissertation before your defend, and you are looking for a job, then use your dissertation to do a bit of shameless self-promotion. Send your finished dissertation to anybody who may be interested in your work, and who perhaps may be having a job opening. You never know what good it may bring. Take your printed thesis copies to conferences, and mention at the end of your presentation to you can give away a few copies (bring a stack with you).

Upon graduating

If you are graduated and don't have a job yet - don't panic. Decide for yourself if you want more advice from a career counselor and/or recruiter, and see if you can survive financially until you land a job, or if you need to take on some "emergency" employment, or raid your savings.

Don't let the fact that you haven't found a job yet overshadow the success of finishing your PhD. Celebrate in style, take time to appreciate yourself and your effort, and then throw yourself back into the job-seeking activities, now with all your energy. Let your entire network know you are graduated and available. Don't spam the entire world, but send personal emails to possible interesting contacts, and use LinkedIn to your advantage.

After your PhD

If you've taken a first job after your PhD, know that you have your entire career in front of you. If after some time, you find that the job is not what you thought it to be at first, then take that lesson and learn from it: what is good for your? Which new skills did you learn? What did you not like - something related to the contents of the job, or is the commute making your miserable? Go back to the drawing board, reshape your ideal job, and start looking for something that more closely parallels your vision.

Recent blog posts

Tenure track in the netherlands, tips for successful collaborations with government partners, tips for successful collaborations with industry partners, how to compile your publication list, how to develop a publication strategy, how to use x (twitter) as a scientist, centering your teaching around your teaching vision, how to build up an (international) network, transitioning into the last leg of your phd journey, what changes between a postdoc and assistant professorship.

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Three questions to ask yourself before quitting your PhD

It’s normal for PhD candidates to consider abandoning their studies. Here’s how to take emotions out of the decision.

Gemma Conroy

Credit: Jacobs Stock Photography/Getty

28 July 2020

Jacobs Stock Photography/Getty

Amid lab shutdowns and cancelled fieldwork, many PhD students are facing tough choices regarding the future of their research career.

Roughly 45% of PhD students expect to disengage with their studies within the next six months due to financial hardship related to the pandemic, according to a new survey of 1,020 doctoral candidates in Australia.

While walking away without a doctorate will be the right choice for some – and perhaps the only choice for those with inadequate financial support - it’s important to ask the right questions before making a decision.

“Students need to separate the fake and real reasons for leaving,” says Shane Huntington, deputy director of strategy and partnerships at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences in Australia.

“Some of the most common reasons students quit have nothing to do with their ability to do a PhD.”

Below are three questions that can help a candidate decide whether to quit or continue with their doctoral studies.

1. Are your problems solvable?

Kate Kenfield

Shane Huntington

A disengaged supervisor, toxic lab culture, or a string of failed experiments might feel like reason enough to quit your PhD, but these are not insurmountable problems.

Huntington suggests switching labs if poor supervision or an overly competitive environment are causing you distress.

“I try to get students to determine whether their reasons for wanting to quit are really about them, and not just due to systemic problems. My advice is to map out what the problems are and explore how they can be solved.”

Struggling with specific tasks, such as writing, isn’t a sign to start drafting a withdrawal letter, says Inger Mewburn, director of research training at the Australian National University in Canberra.

“This is a fixable problem,” says Mewburn, who edits a popular blog called The Thesis Whisperer .

“But if you just aren’t enjoying what you’re doing each day, then those feelings need to be critically examined.”

2. Have you talked to someone about it?

It can be difficult for students to admit that they’re struggling, but reaching out to supervisors and other lab members can offer some much-needed perspective, says Frey Fyfe.

“There is a lot of pressure to only convey the positive,” says Fyfe, who quit their PhD in volcanology at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom in 2018, and has not returned to academia.

“I wish I had spoken to someone in my research group, as pretty much every PhD student wants to quit at some point.”

Huntington recalls that a quick chat with his PhD supervisor saved him from quitting his own PhD in physics in the late 1990s. The discussion led to weekly meetings where other lab members could help him find solutions to his experimental problems.

“My supervisor told me that most students want to quit at least three times, which sort of gave me permission to feel the way I did,” says Huntington.

He says the weekly meeting helped him feel supported. “We were able to work through the low points.”

Fyfe says that viewing a supervisor as a fellow collaborator, rather than someone to win approval from, can make it easier to communicate more openly.

“It’s not a one-way street,” says Fyfe. “You need to be able to communicate what’s going right and what isn’t.”

3. Does your PhD fit with your long-term goals?

Inger Mewburn

Embarking on a PhD is a major career milestone for many students, but it’s important to consider how it will further your aspirations in the long-run, says Mewburn.

For example, if a candidate wants to end up in a research-focussed job that doesn’t involve teaching, gaining experience from an industry placement could be a more strategic investment than spending years on a PhD.

It’s also important for candidates to make a realistic assessment of the job prospects in their field, particularly in the wake of pandemic-related hiring freezes and job losses .

“You’ve got to explore your options,” says Mewburn. “Is there even going to be a job in your field when you finish your PhD?”

A common mistake students make when deciding whether to quit or continue is focussing on the sacrifices they have made, instead of considering where they want to head next.

“People often think of the past, rather than the future. There’s a lot of guilt about what they’re giving up [if they quit],” says Huntington. “But it’s a myth, because you are not giving up on all the hard work, you’re just taking it in a different direction.”

Whether choosing to quit or stay, it ultimately comes down to feeling confident about your underlying reasons, says Huntington.

“Students should have some power over their destiny. Make the right decision on the right basis, and feel good about the choice you’ve made.”

“A PhD ruined my life” How getting a PhD changes everything

In this post, we delve into the often unspoken hardships accompanying the pursuit of a PhD.

It’s a journey that changes lives profoundly – sometimes leading to regret and unforeseen challenges.

We’ll shed light on common reasons behind these regrets and explore real-life cases where individuals felt their PhD journey was more damaging than beneficial. 

While a PhD opens doors to intellectual growth and prestigious opportunities, it can also set the stage for disillusionment, job insecurity, exploitation, intense competition, and more. Join us as we unravel these narratives, providing insights and lessons drawn from personal experiences.

Common reasons that people regret their PhD and how grad school ruined their life

A phd ruined my life case studies.

Here are some real-life case studies that demonstrate how a PhD programme can ruin someone’s life and show that PhDs are not always a positive step for someone’s career.

Case Study: The Unseen Struggles in Pursuit of a U.S. PhD

Background:

The subject, an international Black student, embarked on his PhD journey in the U.S. after completing his previous studies in a different culture. Already diagnosed with bipolar 2 and generalized anxiety disorder, he transitioned from a cooperative study environment to a highly competitive one in the U.S. The shift to a more individualistic and competitive culture, coupled with a drinking culture, intensified his pre-existing conditions and led him down a path of alcohol addiction. This had further negative impacts on his mental health, academic progress, and personal relationships.

Complications:

Despite his struggles, the subject sought help from campus therapists and received some institutional support. However, his mental health issues were compounded by what he perceived as a lack of understanding and sufficient support from the faculty and administration. His request for extra time to complete exams due to mental breakdowns and addiction issues was met with resistance.

He was eventually dismissed from the program due to unsatisfactory progress, largely influenced by his mental health struggles and addiction. This left him jobless and unable to travel back to his partner due to visa restrictions.

Lessons Learned:

• Mental Health Support : The mental health crisis in the PhD student community is glaring. Institutions need to better recognize and address the prevalence of anxiety and depression among their students.
• Inclusive Policies : The traditional structure of PhD programs, with rigorous and inflexible examination schedules, can inadvertently disadvantage students with neurodivergent conditions or mental health challenges. Universities should consider implementing more inclusive policies that take into account students’ diverse needs.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Universities should also be more aware and considerate of the cultural adjustments that international students may face. They should provide support to help students transition and adapt to the new environment.
• Faculty Training : Staff training should include understanding and addressing mental health issues and how to provide appropriate support. It’s not only about academic mentoring but also about nurturing students’ wellbeing.
• Early Intervention : Implementing systems to identify students who are struggling early on can allow for timely intervention, potentially preventing further deterioration of mental health and academic performance.

Case Study: “Identity Crisis: The Tale of a Disoriented PhD Graduate”

Jane Doe was a goal-oriented and motivated individual who thrived in an academic environment. For seven and a half years, she immersed herself in two graduate programs in two different states, earning herself two graduate degrees. Over time, her identity became intrinsically linked to her role as a student; she found comfort in the structure, rhythm, and recognition of academic achievement.

However, this success story took a twist when Jane graduated and was thrust into the world outside of academia. With her doctoral hood around her neck and her degree in hand, she found herself in an identity crisis. The very core of who she was had been tied to being a student, and with graduation, she felt as though she had lost a part of herself.

Jane found herself feeling lost, alien, and a sense of persistent dread filled her days. She continued to teach as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, but her heart wasn’t in it. Her social interactions, both online and offline, felt hollow and disjointed. She was stuck between worlds, not fully a part of academia anymore, and not yet a part of the “real world.”

Even her accomplishment, becoming a PhD graduate, something less than 2% of the US population achieves, did not bring her the satisfaction she had anticipated. Her self-identity as a graduate student was so deep-rooted that she could not rejoice in her achievements or take pride in her accomplishment.

Three months post-graduation, Jane realized the root of her discomfort: she had allowed her temporary identity as a student to define her whole being. The transition from student to graduate was a jarring one, stripping away a part of her identity.

• Diversify Self-Identity: It’s important not to let a single aspect of one’s life, such as a role or occupation, dominate one’s identity. A balanced self-identity is critical in mitigating such identity crises.
• Prepare for Change: Transitions, such as graduation, should be anticipated and emotionally prepared for. Understanding that change is part of life can help alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with major life transitions.
• Value Self Beyond Achievements: While academic and professional achievements are essential, it’s important to remember that self-worth isn’t solely derived from them. Jane learned to see herself as more than just her PhD, a lesson that can be beneficial to all.
• Adaptability: Becoming adaptable and resilient in the face of change is a valuable skill. Understanding that jobs, roles, and titles may change, but one’s inherent value and capabilities remain, is crucial.
• Seek Support: During such transitions, seeking support from a mentor, counselor, or peer group can provide valuable perspective and strategies to cope with feelings of loss and identity confusion.

In the end, Jane found peace in her new life and saw new ways to apply her knowledge and skills. Her journey serves as a stark reminder that while education shapes us, it doesn’t define us. Our identities are fluid and adaptable, ever-changing as we navigate the course of life.

Wrapping up – How a PhD can ruin your life

The pursuit of a PhD can irrevocably alter one’s life trajectory. 

This higher education undertaking has been a bane for many grad students who naively entered their program, only to face overwhelming pressure, mental health issues, and burnout.

Former PhD students have lamented on how the journey has ruined their life – from exacerbating pre-existing conditions like anxiety and depression, to leading to feelings of low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.

The harsh realities of the academic job market and the exploitative world of academia can lead to disillusionment, manifesting as regret over one’s decision to pursue a PhD degree.

Moreover, the potential lack of interpersonal support from professors and advisors, coupled with the often dismissive attitudes of universities towards mental health problems, can make the situation much worse.

We must scrutinise the pros and cons of the PhD system and work towards reforming the academic culture, putting emphasis on mental health support services, fair treatment of grad students, and adaptable program structures.

In retrospect, a PhD is a monumental commitment – not a hobby to be undertaken lightly. It is essential for potential students to fully understand the challenges that lurk in the journey ahead.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Your PhD, what next?

Those who've completed a Doctorate are finding more opportunities to work outside of academia than ever before - discover the types of jobs available and what other PhD graduates go on to do

What job opportunities are available for PhD graduates?

The most common roles for PhD graduates are:

• teaching professionals
• natural and social science professionals
• research and development (R&D) and other research professionals
• therapy professionals
• business, research and administrative professionals.

Although academic careers are a natural step for many PhD graduates, a greater number of opportunities exist outside of teaching and education .

For instance, a significant amount of PhD graduates work in healthcare (14.9%), and construction , engineering and research and development (11.1%). This has perhaps been helped by private sector companies becoming more research-orientated in recent years.

As well as the medical profession, research scientists can also specialise in life sciences , maths and physical sciences .

If you've aspirations to become a clinical or educational psychologist , you'll need to have studied a specific taught Doctorate in either clinical (DClinPsy or ClinPsyD) or educational (DEdPsy) psychology.

How do I get started in academia?

Those graduating with a PhD often struggle to secure a permanent academic job immediately. To give yourself the best chance, contact as many academics as possible in your specialist field.

You may then be presented with the opportunity to become a teaching or research fellow, though this is likely to be on a short-term contract with a view to permanent employment.

Jobs for PhD graduates are regularly advertised on university websites as well as specialist higher education recruitment sites such as Jobs.ac.uk or Academic Positions .

Visit getting an academic job for more information and advice.

Can I get a non-academic job?

There are many ways to boost your chances of landing non-academic PhD jobs. You should:

• build a network of contacts to help you unearth 'hidden' job vacancies
• gain relevant work experience in your chosen field
• search for graduate jobs
• use social media to join in discussions with like-minded academics and share your research and opinions.

It's also worth regularly checking sector-specific websites and publications for job adverts, such as:

• Nature Careers
• New Scientist Jobs
• Science Careers
• Technojobs - PhD jobs
• The British Psychological Society Jobs
• The Economist Jobs Board
• Times Higher Education - Unijobs

How do I sell my PhD to employers?

When applying for non-academic PhD jobs, you must demonstrate how your knowledge and expertise will benefit the employer. Focus on the transferable skills that the PhD has helped to enhance, such as:

• communication skills - you'll have given many presentations , lectures or seminars
• creative thinking - PhD students are often asked to think outside the box
• management ability - as well as managing your own time and workload, you may have managed a small team of research assistants or mentored undergraduate students
• problem-solving skills - during your PhD, you'll have tackled and solved numerous research problems.

For more guidance, see applying for jobs .

What do other PhD graduates do?

According to HESA's Graduate Outcomes data, of the PhD graduates in employment 15 months after graduation in 2020/21, just over a fifth (21.3%) found work in education - as higher and secondary education teaching professionals. The majority therefore chose to pursue non-academic careers.

PhD destinations data from HESA.

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This is the blog of Vivek Haldar

What is life like for PhDs in computer science who go into industry?

(I just posted a long answer to this Quora question . Reproducing here.)

This is one of the most common questions I get during recruiting events. I have a PhD, and have worked in industry for last few years, so I am going to take a stab at answering.

First of all, I want to administer a dose of reality to the OP. Please don’t take offense at this, because I used to think exactly like the OP when I was a green newb. The entire set of questions has an undertone of “how will I be treated special in the workplace if I have a PhD?” You will not be treated special at all. When you go about your day-to-day job, you do not have a halo hanging over your head declaring that you did a PhD. You will earn the respect of your peers and bosses by delivering value to your team, not by possessing a degree. (Also see answer to job security question below.)

It is natural to feel special after a PhD. Academia implicitly drills it into you, because a PhD is academia’s entry ticket. You must be among the chosen ones if you have one. This privilege does not transfer to industry.

About the only concrete benefit of starting out with a PhD is that you will likely have a slightly higher starting salary, compared to those with a Masters.

There do exist venues in industry where research by itself is a specially delineated activity, and researchers are treated differently than regular engineers. They are the well known industry CS “labs”. A few years ago, the big four were: Microsoft Labs, IBM Labs, Sun Labs and HP Labs. They were shining examples of how research could be embedded in a industrial setting, advancing the state of the art while also having a positive impact on the company’s bottomline. But, they were clearly delineated from the rest of the company, and essentially served as an in-house CS department. One of the core activities of such labs was “technology transfer”, so that the cool things they came up with could be disseminated to the rest of the company. Today, the only two still going strong are IBM and Microsoft Labs, while the others have diminished.

What happened in the meanwhile was that Google started operating with a hybrid model of industrial research , where research was not a cleanly separated division or activity, with blended seamlessly into the regular operation of the company. There are people with the title of “researcher” and those with the title of “software engineer”, and a continuous gradation in between, with researchers expected to focus on more ambiguous and blue sky problems, and engineers expected to focus on more immediate implementation and design issues. This is a marked departure from the “labs” model. What it is essentially saying is that every problem that the company tackles is in some sense research worthy.

It was also around this time (early 2000’s) that the expectations of what PhDs should work on began to change. If you graduated with a PhD, the highest status job you could get was a tenure track university professorship. Indeed, most PhD programs implicitly gear graduates for that end. If you could not attain that, the next best thing to strive for was a researcher position in one of the aforementioned industrial labs. And, if you could not even land that, you would go looking for regular industry jobs with the unwashed masses.

The problem with this picture is that there are 10 PhD graduates for every tenure-track position . And, while I don’t have figures, the industrial labs don’t hire at a much faster rate either. And that left regular industry jobs as the only viable option for the vast majority of PhDs. My guess is that the recruitment engines of most major tech companies also wised up to this fact, and started actively pitching to not just bachelors and Masters graduates, but PhDs as well. The new crop of web companies, with Google at the forefront, also started projecting the image that the work being done there was new and cool and challenging and important enough to keep PhDs engaged. Also, the pay was pretty good. When you saw that year after year a significant fraction of the outgoing PhD graduates from your CS department were happily ensconced in regular industrial jobs, option number 3 began rapidly catching up with the other options.

What is the day to day life like?

At the broadest level, you will spend about half of your time designing systems and features, and getting those designs discussed and reviewed, and the other half actually implementing those. (Also see the next answer.) As you become more senior, leadership/coordination activities also start becoming a significant part of the job.

You must be a great coder. That is a minimum prerequisite. During one interview, I asked a candidate (a recent PhD graduate) to give me some pseudo-code for the solution he had just described, and he went “oh well, if you must make me code…” That pretty much made me go “no hire.” What did you think the job involved?

Do people usually work alone, or with others?

Again, the answer to this question does not depend on what degree you have. The simple truth is there is no job in the modern tech industry that involves working alone.

You will probably evenly split your time between collaborative activities such as design discussions and code review (both for your code, as well as others’ code), and solitary activities such as heads-down coding. The fraction of solitary time goes down as you become more senior.

How much mentoring is there? Who can you ask for help if you need it?

Almost never an issue. Most places will actually pair you up with a mentor who is not your boss . This means you should feel comfortable discussing things with them that you wouldn’t with your boss. Also, everyone around you will also help you out, mentor or not.

Remember the crucial thing about asking for help in a way that will make people want to help you–show that you have put in some work and are stuck at some point. Don’t just go around asking questions because you are too lazy to dig.

Are good jobs available in all locations? Are you usually required to move after grad school if you want to get a good job?

You are much more likely to land an interesting job at the coasts. West more than East.

How many jobs are available and how many publications do you need to get them? How cutthroat is the competition for good jobs?

Most industrial positions will not care about your publications, unless you have none or very few, in which case the question will naturally arise of why you produced so little over your PhD.

Competition is high. You have to be prepared. You have to be specifically prepared for a tech/coding interview. Use your favorite search engine to get inundated with tips for how to prepare. This is a great starting point .

Are you only qualified to work in the exact subfield you studied in grad school?

This is another big area of adjustment. Employees will usually try to match you to a position that relates to your research. But do not expect to spend your entire career are in the same field that you got your PhD in. (Why would you even want to do that? It would get boring pretty quickly.) Getting a PhD should have equipped you to tackle problems outside your area.

How is job security?

There is no such thing as job security, no matter what degree you have. The only way to be somewhat secure is to have demonstrable competence. Note that I said not just competence, but demonstrable competence. If you are doing great things, but nobody knows about them, it doesn’t count.

All those skills you developed during your research career to promote your work and your papers, to get your point across, to put it in context, to explain why it is important–both in terms of written and spoken communication–will be crucial in developing your career. If you feel like you are not developing these skills during the course of your PhD, then you should really focus on them.

In some places, another way to get security is to be really good at internal political games. You do not want to be at a place like that. If you live by politics, you die by politics.

Do you work 9 to 5, or do you take your work home with you?

This, again, is completely independent of what degree you have. How you structure your priorities and your work to get it done within sane hours, and while maintaining some sort of “work/life balance” (I hate that term, but that is a whole other story) is entirely up to you.

Are you expected to publish papers?

If your title is “researcher”, then yes.

How hungry are people for career advancement?

How hungry are you? It is an entirely personal choice.

If a PhD goes into industry, does he usually do the same type of job that you could get with a Master’s? If not, how do they differ, and why are they better/worse?

Yes, you will usually do the same type of work.

At this point, you might be wondering “so are there any advantages to a PhD at all?” Yes, there are. You have to use the skills that you developed while doing a PhD to advance your career. “What might such skills be?”, you ask. The two most important are the ability to work with ambiguous and ill-specified problems, and communication skills. This is where PhDs should edge out others.

But, I’ve seen plenty of PhDs without these two crucial skills, and plenty of non-PhDs with. If all the problems, as well as the sketches of the solutions, that you worked on during your PhD were handed to you by your advisor, and you did not wrestle with any demons on your own, you will probably fall short here.

Do most people stay in industry, or do they use their jobs as a jumping-off point to get back into academia?

Except in extremely rare circumstances, I’ve not seen people going back to academia from industry. There has, however, been a recent spate of people moving from academia to industry, even giving up tenure in the process!

Do you ever regret getting a PhD?

No. Here’s why .

Do most people have time to get married?

(See answer to 9-5 question above.)

How are these impacted by the prestige of your graduate school?

Does not matter. The only thing that matters is how you perform on the interview.

PhD Experience Interviews

Wondering what it’s like to do a PhD? And how you can develop your career after you gain your PhD? We’ve interviewed a variety of PhD students at different stages of their degree and PhD holders that have developed their careers and businesses in different directions, to help answer this for you.

View the profiles below to gain an insight into the life of PhD student – from their typical day to their biggest challenges and personal advice. Click here to read our interviews with PhD holders.

Current PhD Students

Clara Inés Alcolado Olivares

Clara is in the first year of her PhD at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain. Her research is based around understanding the reactivity of peroxynitrite with organic compounds such as commonly used drugs, food preservatives, or components of atmospheric aerosols.

Akshay Deoras

Akshay is in the final year of his PhD researching how well models can predict Indian monsoon low-pressure systems. The results of his research will help improve disaster preparedness and long-term planning.

Frances Boreham

Frances recently completed her PhD at the University of Bristol. Her research investigated the causes and consequences of hazardous lava-water interactions.

Nidhi Menon

Nidhi is a PhD student at Virginia Tech, focused on developing an engineered platform to study the breast tumor microenvironment, for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

Priya Pollard

Priya’s a 1st year PhD student University College Dublin. Her project involves investigating a novel seaweed-ensiling process as an alternative to drying to preserve seaweeds nutritional and monetary value.

Nina Higson-Sweeney

Nina’s in the first year of her PhD in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath. Her project is focused on furthering our understanding of fatigue within adolescent depression.

Freya I. Addison

Freya’s in the final year of her PhD at the University of Leeds. Her project is about improving the precision of observations between collocated ground-based weather radar and airborne platforms.

Helena Hartmann

Helena is pursuing a PhD at the University of Vienna. Her research is centred around how we perceive, understand and share the suffering of other people around us, aka empathy for pain.

Calvin Swords

Calvin is coming to the end of the second year of his PhD at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. His research is focussed on how recovery as a concept is socially constructed in mental health services.

Henry Powell-Davies

Henry is in the first year of his PhD in the Cronin Group at the University of Glasgow. His research is based on the automation, optimisation, discovery and design of ontologies for robotic chemistry.

Abdullah-Al-Zubaer Imran

Abdullah recently finished his PhD at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His computer science research developed deep learning-based algorithms for medical image analysis.

Nathan Mistry

Nathan is about to enter the 2nd year of his PhD at the University of Hertfordshire. His research looks at how lifestyle stresses can impact skin barrier biophysics and skin barrier and oral cavity biochemistry and microbiology.

Jay is in the third year of his PhD at Savitribai Phule Pune University, researching the applications of mesenchymal stem cells and nanocarrier for bone tissue engineering.

Islam is in the final year of his Physics PhD program at Washington State University in the field of particle cosmology. His research is on the Possible Connections Between Inflaton and Dark Energy Within An Oscillating Reheating Framework.

Guy Cameron

Guy is in the 3rd and final year of his PhD in Immunology and Microbiology at The University of Newcastle, Australia. His research primarily focuses on investigating roles of our immune system outside of the typical pathogen surveillance.

De-Shaine Murray

De-Shaine is 2nd Year Neurotechnology PhD Student at Imperial College London. His research looks at monitoring the brain when it’s severely injured after a traumatic brain injury or stroke and patients are in neurocritical care.

Elpida Vounzoulaki

Elpida is about to start her third year of PhD research at the University of Leicester. Her research focuses on preventing type 2 diabetes in women who had gestational diabetes, and she an active STEM Ambassador.

Emmanuel Junior Zuza

Emmanuel is a year and half into his PhD at The Open University School of Ecosystems, Earth and Environmental Studies. His research is on understand the influence of environmental and social factors on smallholder macadamia production.

Christine Streeter

Christine is entering the 4th year of her PhD Carleton University, researching worker’s experiences of the changing conditions in the Non Profit and Social Service sector, pre and during COVID-19.

Jad Mahmoud Halabi

Jad is a 4th year PhD student at New York University Abu Dhabi/ New York. His project is title Smart Molecular Crystals: From Synthesis to Applications and has a particular interest in science communication.

Rakhi Vishwakarma

Rakhi is a PhD student at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India. Her research is on the production of Borneol and Menthol and development of separation process from the reaction mixture.

Sara is currently in the 4th year of the Physics Doctoral Program at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Her research investigates quantum transport properties of 2D electron systems.

Kamalpreet Singh

Kamal is a second year PhD student University of Toronto in the department of Chemistry. His research is focused on making hydrogen gas more affordable and easier to generate from water to use as a clean energy source.

Noelia Dominguez Falcon

Noelia is just two months away from submitting her PhD thesis at the University of East Anglia. Her research focuses on the application and the study of novel tissue engineering strategies for tendon repair, aiming to overcome some limitations from current therapies.

Harneet Sangha

Harneet’s heading into the fourth year of her PhD at the University of Leicester. Her research looks at the electrical currents in the Earth’s magnetosphere: how they change with time, and under different conditions.

Adam Netzer Zimmer

Adam’s about to start his fifth year of PhD research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he’s earning a doctorate in anthropology as an affiliated researcher with the University of Iceland’s medical school.

Charlene N. Rivera Bonet

Charlene is a 5th year PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She studies depression and neuroticism in people with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) using MR Imaging and behavioural tests.

Fabian van den Berg

Fabian’s in the final year of his PhD research at Maastricht University. His project is about how humans learn numbers and how hands might help that process; this is especially useful for children developing their maths skills.

Gabrielle Huizinga

Gabrielle’s a 2nd year Immunology PhD student at the University of Michigan. Her research focus on the complications of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the clearance of respiratory bacterial infections.

Lewis Bridgeman

Lewis is a third-year PhD student at CVSSP at the University of Surrey. His research involves using multi-camera broadcast footage of sports, and using this data to create new viewpoints in virtual and augmented reality.

Pei Qin (Sabrina) Ng

Sabrina’s in the third year of her PhD at The University of Adelaide. Her esearch combines molecular techniques, data analysis, and next generation sequencing to investigate modifications on RNAs in plants.

Kat is in the second year of her PhD at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Perth, Western Australia (WA). Her research involves studying supermassive black holes at the centres of distant galaxies.

Pavan Bagri

Pavan’s nearing completion of her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at the University of Toronto, whilst also working 4 days/week as a Clinical Pharmacist across 3 hospital sites in the Greater Toronto Area.

Elmira Vagapova

Elmira is in the third year of her PhD program at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology; Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, researching the mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia cells resistance to targeted therapy.

Kyle Morgenstein

Kyle’s in the first year of his PhD at the University of Texas in Austin. His research interests are in the development of algorithms for advanced mobility for legged robotics and computer vision for exploration of extreme environments.

Julia is entering the third year of a combined master’s and PhD program at Stanford University. Her research explores how to give robots the sense of touch to make them more useful for tasks such as dexterous manipulation.

Michele Ponzelli

Michele is a first-year PhD candidate in a double degree program between the University of Girona (Spain) & Technical University Munich (Germany). His research has the aim of innovating water treatment technologies.

Rose is a final year PhD student at the University of St Andrews. Her research is focussed on modelling stars similar to the sun in its youth and understanding better the magnetic fields of these stars.

Emma Strand

Emma is a third year PhD student at the University of Rhode Island. Her research focuses on the physiological and genomic response to climate change stressors.

Bijou is a second year MD-PhD candidate, starting her second year of medical school. At the end of this academic year she’ll transition into doing a genetics PhD full time at Case Western Reserve University.

Annabel Farnood

Annabel is a third-year PhD student at the University of Glasgow, looking at the effects of online self-diagnosis and health information seeking on the patient-healthcare professional relationship.

Aaron Jones

Aaron’s now writing up his PhD thesis at the University of Birmingham. His research has investigated the Impact and Mitigation of Wavefront Distortions in Precision Interferometry.

Chris Sampson

Chris is making minor corrections to his PhD thesis post-viva at the University of Nottingham. His research was on optimising the cost-effectiveness of risk-based screening for diabetic retinopathy.

Freija Mendrik

Freija is half way through her PhD at the Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, researching the transport of microplastics through the Mekong River and to the South China Sea.

Ellen Brewster

Ellen is in the third year of her PhD at the University of Oxford. Her project looks at eighteenth-century reading manuals, using them to find out how eighteenth-century people theorised reading aloud.

Daisy Shearer

Daisy’s a year and half into her PhD at the University of Surrey. Her research project is based around the control of electron spin state in InSb quantum wells using quantum point contacts.

Julia Ravey

Julia’s in her final year of her PhD at University College London. Her research is helping to better understand how Alzheimer’s disease arises, which could lead to new successful therapeutics.

Bethany Cliffe

Bethany is a 1st year PhD student at the University of Bath, researching the adaptation of a self-help smartphone app (BlueIce) to prevent self-harm and improve the mood of University students.

Chloe Casey

Chloe is a 2nd year PhD student at Bournemouth University, researching the mental health of postgraduate researchers and is designing interventions that may improve their wellbeing.

Maria Sharif

Maria is a 1st year PhD student at the University of Birmingham, researching how to employ and exploit the biology of human gamma delta T cells for development of cancer immunotherapy.

Gareth Raynes

Gareth is getting ready for his PhD viva at Aberystwyth University and has been researching bacteria living inside coastal plants that can help other plants grow in salt contaminated soils.

Hannah Lewis

Hannah is a 1st year PhD student at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The aim of her research is to clarify what strategies are the most effective in supporting young people with dyslexia.

Chris Proctor

Chris is a third (and final) year PhD student at Ulster University. His project aims to develop a novel method of delivering antibiofilm compounds directly to an infected wound bed in patients.

Carlos Gonzalez Diaz

Carlos is a third year PhD student at the Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Games Intelligence (IGGI), as part of the University of York and Goldsmiths, University of London.

Danny is a third year PhD student at the John Innes Centre and the University of East Anglia, working with Pseudomonas bacteria to understand how they infect their hosts.

Helena Bates

Helena is a final year PhD student at the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Oxford. Her research is on understanding the evolution of asteroids through analysis of meteorites.

Rebecca Hall

Rebecca recently finished her PhD at the University of York. Her research investigated the adaptations that occur in the symbiosis between the tsetse fly and its bacterial microbiome.

Raluca Gaina

Raluca is a final year PhD student at Queen Mary University of London. Her research is on exploring the algorithms of rolling horizon evolutionary algorithms for general video game playing.

Daniel Hernandez

Daniel is a third year PhD student at the University of York. His research is based around self-play training in multiagent systems; training AIs on a game such that they improve overtime.

Ellie Hurer

Ellie is a final year PhD student at the University of Hertfordshire, investigating a protein which is implicated in pancreatic cancer; this work can improve the efficacy of cancer drug treatments.

Nick Ballou

Nick is a first year PhD student at Queen Mary University of London. The long-term goal of his research is to help game designers make games that support healthy engagement and well-being.

Ryan Javanshir

Ryan is in the final write up stages of his PhD at the University of Southampton. His research is on understanding narrative structure, media specificity and genre in transmedia storytelling.

Amy recently entered her third and final year of her PhD at the University of Strathclyde. Her research has focussed on young people’s understanding of mental health stigma in Scotland.

Sammy Chapman

Sammy is a second year PhD student at Cardiff Metropolitan University researching how secondary school teachers can meet the demands of the Digital Competence Framework.

Eleni Routoula

Eleni is nearing the end of her PhD at the University of Sheffield on understanding Peroxidase immobilisation on Bioinspired Silicas and application of the biocatalyst for dye removal.

Alex Fitzpatrick

Alex is a PhD student at the University of Bradford researching ritual and funerary rites in later prehistoric Scotland: an analysis of faunal assemblages from the Covesea Caves.

Kai Arulkumaran

Kai is a PhD student at Imperial College London. His research centres around sample efficiency, transfer learning and interpretability for deep reinforcement learning.​

Christian Nathan

Christian is a PhD student at the University of Leeds. His research project investigatores the role of the molecular clock in sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Carina Nicu

Carina is a PhD student at The University of Manchester who has just defended her viva. Her research focuses on dermal white adipose tissue regulates human hair follicle growth and cycling.

Sam is a new PhD student at Teesside University. Her research is focussed on better understanding how writing poetry can help cancer survivors to work through mental and emotional issues.

PhD Holders

View the profiles below to gain an insight into different ways that you can develop your work life after gaining your PhD. This could involve continuing a career in academic research, working in a commercial environment, starting your own business or doing something completely unrelated to your PhD. 

Dr Malika Grayson

Dr Grayson gained her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 2016. She now works in industry as an Applications Portfolio Manager and is a STEM Speaker and Advocate.

Dr Kirell Benzi

Dr Benzi gained his PhD in Data Science from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in 2016. He is now a professional data artist and head of research at a tech company in Paris, as well as a trained public speaker.

Dr Sunni Patel

Dr Patel gained his PhD in 2011 from Aston University, researching risk factors & systemic biomarkers for Type II diabetes & cardiovascular disease. He is currently a business director at a large global pharmaceutical.

Dr Chris Pattison

Dr Pattison gained his PhD in Cosmology from the University of Portsmouth. He is now finishing a short term post-doc within the same research group and developing a career in science communication and science education.

Dr Nafisa M. Jadavji

Dr Jadavji completed her PhD in Medical Genetics & Neuroscience from McGill University, Montreal, Canada in 2012. She is now an assistant professor involved in a mix of research, teaching and service projects.

Dr John Young

Dr Young gained his PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge. He is now a a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, Deputy Director for the Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and more!

Dr Asher Williams

Dr Williams gained her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 2020. She is now a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University, researching simplifying vaccine manufacturing in low-income countries.

Dr Sherran Clarence

Dr Clarence gained her PhD in Higher Education Studies from Rhodes University, South Africa in 2013. She is now an honorary research associate at the University and also runs her own blog about working as a researcher/parent in academia.

Dr Gita Pathak

Dr Pathak gained her PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 2019. She is now a Postdoctoral Associate training in psychiatric genetics at the Yale School of Medicine.

Dr Khalil Thirlaway

Dr Thirlaway gained his PhD in immunology from the University of Nottingham in 2018. He is now a Science Communicator at the Natural History Museum, London.

Dr Michael Norman

Dr Norman gained his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of East Anglia in 2018. He is now the Public Engagement Officer at the Babraham Institute.

Dr Tahira Anwar

Dr Anwar gained her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Helsinki in 2019. She is now pursuing a career within industry and becoming more active in science outreach.

Dr Adani Pujada

Dr Pujada obtained her PhD in Molecular Cell Biology at Georgia State University in 2019. She is now a biomedical faculty member, mentor, and science communicator with a particular interest in promoting STEM education.

Dr Jerelle A Joseph

Dr Joseph gained her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge in 2018 and is now a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physics at the University. Her research is on better understanding how cells organises its contents via the process of liquid-liquid phase separation.

Dr Omotayo Ilesanmi

Dr Ilesanmi has a PhD in Applied Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. He is now a lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Dr Amy Easey

Dr Easey has a PhD from the University of East Anglia where she genetically modified viral ligase enzymes for industry. She is now a biomedical scientist working in the Haematopathology and Oncology Diagnostic Service at Addenbrookes hospital.

Dr Vanessa Cesário

Dr Cesário has a PhD in Digital Media from the University of Porto. She’s now pursuing an academic career as a Postdoc in HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) as part of an EU project. She’s also aiming to teach in subjects including User-Centered Design and Interactive Media Design.

Dr Jonathan D. Morrow

Dr Morrow gained his MD-PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. He now splits his time between providing clinical care to patients through the University of Michigan and research relevant to addiction and several other psychiatric disorders.

Dr Zoë Ayres

Dr Ayres completed her PhD at the University of Warwick in 2017, researching the use of diamond to make electrochemical sensors. She is now a research scientists in the water industry, developing different analytical techniques and sensors to help keep our water systems safe.

Dr Theanne Griffith

Dr Griffith gained her PhD in Neuroscience from Northwestern University in 2015. She is now a neuroscientist and children’s book author and will be opening her own lab in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California Davis later this year (2020).

Dr Laura Tuohilampi

Dr Tuohilampi gained her PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of Helsinki in 2016. She is now a lecturer at the University of Helsinki, a Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Sydney and has also founded the company Math Hunger.

Prof Ramesh Raghupathi

Prof Raghupathi gained his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1991. He is now a professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Dr Ipsa Jain

Dr Jain gained her PhD in Molecular Oncology from the Indian Institute of Science. She is now a science illustrator and communicator, and works with TheLifeofScience.com to initiate conversations around sci-art and women in science.

Dr Harry Hothi

Dr Hothi gained his PhD in Orthopaedic Engineering from Queen Mary University of London in 2012. He is now the Implant Science Fellow at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, researching how to improve knee, hip and spine implants.

Dr Bishnu Karki

Dr Karki gained his PhD in the field of Nuclear and Particle Physics from Ohio University in March 2020. He is currently working as a postdoctoral associate in Prof. Haiyan Gao’s research group in Duke University.

Dr Day gained her PhD Physical Chemistry at the University of Nottingham in 2000. She is now a Science & Fiction writer, an Associate Editor at PseudoPod.org and runs the blog ‘The Chronicle Flask’ about all things chemistry.

Dr Amit Kumar Singh

Dr Singh earned his PhD in Nanotechnology from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), India in 2018. He is now a Senior Research Fellow developing low cost and biocompatible micro/nanomotors for anti-cancer therapy.

Dr Sam Rowe

Dr Rowe gained his PhD in the fields of Chemistry and Biological Sciences from the University of East Anglia in 2018. He is now a project coordinator for Norwich Science Festival and also for Pint of Science in Norwich.

Dr Joe Manning

Dr Manning gained his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Sheffield in 2019. He is now a postdoc researcher studying molecular simulations on nanomaterials at the University of Bath.

Dr Amina Aitsi-Selmi

Dr Aitsi-Selmi gained her social epidemiology PhD from UCL in 2013. She now runs a private practice in Transformational Coaching and Consulting focused on careers, leadership and wellbeing.

Dr Jennifer Dillon (Bryant)

Dr Dillon gained her PhD in Molecular Cancer Studies at the University of Manchester in 2015. She now works at a biotech company called HairClone, optimising treatments for androgenic alopecia.

Dr Becky Smethurst

Dr Smethurst gained her DPhil in astrophysics from the University of Oxford in 2017. She is now an independent researcher at Oxford, runs a YouTube channel with over 100k subscribers and has published her own book.

Prof Carolyn Mair

Prof Mair gained her PhD in cognitive neuroscience from Bournemouth University in 2004. She is now a consultant working with the fashion industry and published her book in 2018.

Dr Rowan Hooper

Dr Hooper gained his PhD in evolutionary biology from the the University of Sheffield. He is now a journalist and writer (last book called Superhuman) and podcast editor at New Scientist.

Dr Ben Britton

Dr Britton gained his DPhil in material science research at Oxford University in 2010. He is now a Senior Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering at Imperial College London.

Prof Debby Cotton

Prof Cotton gained her DPhil in the school of education at Oxford University. She is now the Director of Academic Practice and Professor of Higher Education at Plymouth Marjon University.

Dr Nikolay Nikolov

Dr Nikolov gained his PhD in the area of Anthropology of Architecture from UCL in 2020. He is a video journalist working with Mashable and advises PhDs consider options outside of academia.

Dr Emily Roberts

Dr Roberts gained her PhD from Duke University in 2014 in the field of biomedical engineering. She now runs her own business named Personal Finance for PhDs.

Gain valuable insight from our collection of exclusive interviews with both current and past PhD students. Learn from their best advice, personal challenges and career path after completing their doctorate.

Opportunities After IISER: Packages, Placements, PhD?

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) is a chain premium research institute in India that has the tag of Institute of National Importance. The rigorous academics and cutting-edge research prepares students to become a world-class researcher. IISER offers a flagship five-year long BS-MS program along with other programs like PhD and Integrated PhD.

One of the main questions that every IISER aspirant has is about the opportunities after IISER. Many are concerned about the salary and packages one can receive after completing the rigorous five-year-long degree program. Others want to know what jobs students are offered upon graduation. So, this article contains all the information on the same.

SciAstra YouTube Video: Salary & placements after IISER, NISER | What after BS-MS by NISER student

How IISER Prepares You for a PhD?

Unlike other colleges, IISERs are not built for placements. IISER is built for students who are passionate about exploring basic science and conducting fundamental research. Hence, many IISERs do not have a dedicated placement cell. So, unlike engineering colleges, you won’t find companies on your campus interviewing you and offering you 9 to 5 jobs.

Instead, most of the IISER students apply for a PhD rather than a job. But Ph. D. is not just another degree program but a work-study program. During your PhD years, you will have to conduct your own research under an established researcher who will be your principal investigator. Doing a Ph. D. at a prestigious institute and lab can earn you a nice stipend.

IISER students have an upper edge in PhD applications and are often preferred over other graduates both in India and Abroad. PhD positions secured after IISER are fully funded – meaning that all your expenses, including tuition fees and living expenses, will be covered by a grant or fellowship.

Ph.D. in Foreign Countries:

Good profile and academics during IISER can land you into Ivy League colleges. Favorite destinations for PhD for IISER students have been MIT , Stanford , Oxford, Cambridge, Max Planck, ETH Zurich, etc.

In the United Kingdom. The average tenure of PhD is around four years. The average stipend is 18,662 pounds or INR 19.36 Lakhs per year. This much is enough to cover your living expenses, and you’ll still be able to save 50k to 80k per month.

In other countries of Europe, the project tenure and funding are the same as in the UK, but the stipend varies with different countries. For example, Denmark offers an average stipend of INR 51.67 Lakhs per year. In Norway, the average annual stipend is INR 49.75 Lakhs per year. In general, students are able to save around 50k to 1 Lakh per month easily.

In the United States, you have to be a Teaching Assistant for a year or two and the actual PhD starts in the third year. The duration of a PhD, on average, can be four or six years. The average stipend is 15,000 to 30,000 USD per year, which translates to INR 12.5 to 25 lakh per year.

PhD in India:

Obtaining a PhD in India is a little more difficult than in foreign countries. IISERs, IITs , IISc , TIFR , and NCBS are popular choices for PhD in India. The average stipend is around 31,000 to 37,000 per month, which is enough, considering the cost of living in India.

Qualifying exams like GATE and CSIR offer an upper edge while applying for a PhD in India. However, many IISER students can secure a PhD position without having qualified GATE and CSIR. 

What After PhD?

If you want to remain in academia after your PhD and become a professor, you will have to do a post-doc in a lab or research institute. The duration for Post-Doc varies from one to two years. The average stipend offered abroad is INR 3-5 lakhs per month, whereas in India, you can expect the stipend to be around 57k to 74k per month. After completing your Post-Doc, you can apply for faculty positions at different universities.

You can also join the Industrial Sector after completing your PhD as a Research Scientist and expect an average salary of INR 7.8 lakhs per annum in India. Scientists and Life Scientists in the U.S. and Canada can earn around INR 98.5 lakhs per annum. Depending on your discipline and Industry, the average varies a lot. Following is a table comparing the average salary for different industrial roles.

Many IISER students also appear for exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP, and NMAT to pursue an MBA. Qualifying for these exams can guarantee your admission to premium institutes like IIMs, XLRI, SIBM, or NMIMS. The average package after the completion of an MBA is INR 20-25 lakhs per annum.

Government Jobs-

There are several options for jobs in the public sector after IISER. You can join as a Scientific Officer in government research institutes and labs. In NISER , students with a good CPI can appear for a BARC interview directly, which offers a starting salary of around INR 1 lakh per month, along with multiple amenities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also offers an average salary of INR 1 lakh per month to scientific officers upon entry. In ISRO (Read our blog on how to get into ISRO by clicking here ), the starting salary is 85k to 1 lac per month.

Teaching And Coaching-

Ed-tech giants like Physicswallah and Unacademy always hire people with Masters or PhDs with good teaching skills. as their faculty, and being from IISER can give you an upper hand in getting recruited by these companies. You can also join other coaching institutes. 

The starting salary over here varies from 40k to 1 lac per month, but there is no upper limit in this sector, and the pay depends on your expertise.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) stands as a beacon for those passionate about fundamental science and research. While not designed for traditional placements, IISER propels its students into a world of possibilities, with a strong emphasis on pursuing Ph.D. opportunities globally. The institute’s graduates find themselves well-prepared for diverse paths, whether it be academia, industry, government jobs, or even the entrepreneurial realm. IISER’s impact extends beyond research, fostering individuals who contribute significantly to education and various sectors, embodying the institute’s commitment to holistic growth and excellence.

• How to get into IISER?

To get into IISER, you need to appear for IAT. IAT is a computer based test which needs preparation. SciAstra offers the best courses that prepare you for the IAT.

• What is the most common career path for IISER graduates?

While many IISER students pursue PhDs, there are diverse options like research scientist roles in the industry, government jobs, teaching, and even entrepreneurship.

• Is it easy to get into an Ivy League PhD program after IISER?

IISER graduates have a strong chance due to their rigorous academics and research experience. However, the application process is competitive.

• What are the funding options for PhD programs abroad?

Most PhD positions are fully funded, meaning tuition and living expenses are covered by fellowships or grants. Stipend amounts in different countries like the UK, Europe, and the US are mentioned in the article.

• What are the salary expectations after a PhD in India vs. abroad?

You can expect significantly higher figures in foreign countries when compared to India.

• Can IISER graduates pursue careers outside academia and research? 

Definitely! Options like MBA are open, and securing positions in top institutes like IIMs can help you get packages of INR 20-25 lakhs per annum after an MBA.

• What are some government job opportunities for IISER graduates?

Scientific Officer positions in research institutes and labs, BARC (starting salary INR 1 lakh per month), DRDO (average INR 1 lakh per month), and ISRO (starting salary INR 85k – 1 lac per month) are all mentioned as possibilities.

SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students pursue careers in science.

We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER , NISER , IACS , CMI , ISI , IISC Bangalore , etc teach students in live classes, with study materials,  mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in  IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on.  If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!

To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store and App Store!

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Telepsychology: making diagnoses through video chat.

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Making a video call

Is it possible for psychologists to make diagnoses through video chat? originally appeared on Quora : the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

Answer by Dr. Abbie Maroño, PhD in Psychology and Behavior Analysis, on Quora :

Yes, psychologists can indeed make diagnoses through video chat, a practice that has become increasingly prevalent, particularly during the global shift toward telehealth triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological assessments often rely more on discussions about emotions and experiences rather than on physical examinations, making telepsychology a viable option.

Research has demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy achieved through video conferencing can be comparable to in-person assessments, assuming the technology used is adequate and the psychologist has been properly trained in remote service delivery. Various studies have highlighted that with high-quality video and audio, clinicians can effectively observe and interact with patients, capturing nuances in mood, affect, and speech that are essential for accurate diagnoses.

Patients also often cite the convenience, reduced travel time, and the comfort of being in their own homes as significant benefits. This setting can reduce the stress associated with visiting a psychologist's office, which is particularly beneficial when discussing sensitive or personal issues. Indeed, research suggests that for some individuals, the home environment provides a safe space that may encourage more open communication and accurate disclosure of symptoms, potentially leading to more effective therapy sessions. Although, this is not universal as many individuals may prefer in-person visits as they provide a sense of connection and support that they find lacking in virtual interactions.

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However, the effectiveness of making a diagnosis over video chat can depend on several factors, such as the quality of the video and audio, the patient’s comfort with the technology, and the specific nature of the symptoms being assessed. Poor quality can hinder a psychologist’s ability to pick up on subtle cues such as facial expressions or changes in tone of voice, which are important for assessment. The patient’s ease with using video conferencing technology can also affect how naturally they interact during sessions. Discomfort or technical issues can obstruct the flow of conversation and affect the diagnostic process. However, it is important to note that certain conditions or symptoms might be difficult to assess adequately via video. For instance, disorders that require close monitoring of physical symptoms or those involving complex psychological tests might still require face-to-face interaction.

In sum, while video chat has proven to be a valuable tool in expanding access to psychological care, it is essential to consider these factors to maintain the quality and effectiveness of care. For certain cases or individuals, a hybrid model combining both in-person and remote sessions might be optimal.

This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

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Careers and Placements-Ph.D.

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Careers and Placements

Career opportunities, academic careers.

An academic career is usually the obvious choice for most doctoral students after they complete their thesis. Such a career usually involves a rich life of continuous learning and growth in an intellectually stimulating environment. Most of the fellows from IIM-A who have taken up this route, were absorbed as faculty in some of the top management institutes in India as well as in other countries. The usual track of a professor advances from an assistant professor up to the level of professor of the institute. If an academic chooses they could become a director of an institute. An academic career involves doing research, writing, and publishing; teaching and instruction; coaching and mentoring students; and consulting with industry, business, government, etc. Research is a significant portion of the life of an academician and allows them to gain recognition in their field of study globally. This career choice also enables networks across the world by travelling for conferences where they can present and discuss their current research work. The grooming for publishing top-quality research, presenting at conferences, and training for teaching all starts while the scholar is pursuing the PhD degree at IIM-A.

The institute not only provides the educational mechanisms to encourage such activities but also provides sufficient financial aid and incentives to boost this career option. Another excellent option for an early stage academician is to opt for a post-doctoral position. A postdoc, as it is colloquially known, is a position that can be taken up immediately after the completion of the thesis to strengthen expertise in the techniques of research as well their preferred topic of research. This period allows them to be associated with a professor, an academic or research institute, the industry or even think-tanks that require research on upcoming studies. This is a good option for scholars who want to create networks within top research and academic institutes, contribute to the world through their research and get a few publications. Some PhDs have also looked at opportunities pertaining to managing educational institutes which are beyond the undertaking of teaching & research assignments. And some others have become part of research centres at educational institutes as well as research organisations.

Corporate & Other Careers

Global management consulting firms value the skills of doctoral candidates since they develop exceptional analytical skills as well as have an in-depth knowledge of certain industries. Also, due to the statistical prowess and proficiency of quantitative skills, a number of companies hire doctorates as analysts especially in equity research and financial modelling firms. In addition, several PhDs have joined industry in their management verticals depending on their topic of specialisation such as Marketing, Finance, Strategy, HR etc

Careers in the Public Sector

The areas of research for several Ph.D. graduates traverse the boundaries of the traditional industry set-up. Public policy institutes, Indian and global think-tanks, large research firms, and organisations such as the UN and the World Bank hire doctorates.

The Government of India also absorbs PhDs. Whether it is via the policy route or on account of their in-depth knowledge and expertise in a field, many PhDs find a place in government.

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Questions about aging and later life on quora.

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Reuben Ng, Nicole Indran, Questions about Aging and Later Life on Quora, The Gerontologist , 2024;, gnae060, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnae060

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Gerontologists have yet to explore the types of questions individuals have about later life. Analyzing questions offers a unique perspective on how individuals make sense of age-related issues. Specifically, questions require people to articulate specific inquiries or doubts, thus providing an unfiltered glimpse into the public’s concerns and priorities vis-à-vis aging. We conduct a content analysis of questions posted on Quora that pertain to later life.

We compiled 2,950 questions posted across four topics on Quora: ‘Aging’, ‘Senior Citizens’, ‘Elders’ and ‘Older People’. After applying our exclusion criteria, 658 questions were left for content analysis. These questions received over 250 million views. Both deductive and inductive approaches guided our qualitative analysis.

Five themes emerged from our analysis. The biggest theme (30%; N =195) dealt with ‘Practical Concerns’ (Theme 1). The next biggest theme (29%; N =191) was about ‘Health and Well-Being’ (Theme 2). Theme 3 was about the ‘Prolongation of Youth’ (16%; N =110) and Theme 4 was about the ‘Science of Aging’ (15%; N =97). Theme 5 covered ‘Existential Concerns’ (10%; N =65).

There is a need to address concerns that the public has about aging, particularly those involving practical issues and health. Growing old is unavoidable and with the population aging at a rapid pace, assuaging such concerns is of paramount importance. By doing so, individuals can approach the aging process with greater clarity and an elevated sense of empowerment.

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Top 7 Career Opportunities in India after PhD in 2024

A PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic qualification offered to an individual following a course of study. The term PhD originates from the Latin term ‘Philosophiae Doctor’ and represents competition of individual research in a field of interest. The doctoral research degree paves the path for a wide range of opportunities. It is a 3 to 8 years course that helps you become competent at presenting your thesis based on independent research of a topic.

There is a breadth of skills students acquire while pursuing a PhD. It elevates your ability to critically analyse a subject, display intellectual maturity, gain in-depth knowledge of a specific field and publish a valid thesis. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best job opportunities after PhD that are available to students in different industries—academia, government sector, entrepreneurship, consultancy, and so on. If you are looking for PhD admission for 2024, please read further. 

What is the career outlook for PhD holders in 2024?  

Based on my experience and insights, job opportunities after phd in india appear promising in 2024. Their advanced research and analytical skills are in high demand across various sectors. In academia, opportunities abound as they can pursue careers as professors or researchers. The corporate sector offers avenues for success in roles related to research and development, data science, and consulting. Government agencies value their expertise in policy analysis and implementation. Additionally, for those inclined towards entrepreneurship and innovation, there are opportunities to venture into new territories. Overall, the year 2024 presents an encouraging landscape for PhD holders in India, offering diverse career paths and the potential to make meaningful contributions in their respective fields.  

Top Job Opportunities after PhD

1. academics, a. faculty position.

One of the most commonly opted choices after a PhD is teaching, primarily due to the uncanny similarity between academia and what an individual must do to acquire the degree. The degree practice and teaching involve teaching, researching, and nurturing your acquired knowledge.

If you are interested in landing a faculty position or taking up the teaching path, plenty of institutions are keen on having a PhD holder in their faculty, especially in developing countries.

The PhD holders have a niche of their own in the domain or topic they have spent time researching about. They have made a good number of contributions to the field of study, so they have a firm hold on the subject.

So the PhD holders as faculty seem to be a natural fit, as they can impart the knowledge mentioned in the curriculum and much beyond that. They can open their students’ minds to concepts they would not usually be exposed to and thus help them develop a frame of mind that is inquisitive and has a strong foundation.

Some of the skills that the faculty must possess to impart the education smoothly are an excellent hold of the subject, communication skills, analytical skills, people management, understanding of human behavior, assessment skills, empathy, etc.

The profession of teaching is considered one of the best, high paying and most successful one. The compensation varies according to the subject, institution, experience, etc. On average, after PhD salary in India of a faculty is  12.0 lakhs per annum. The average salary bracket ranges from 1.3 lakhs per annum to 30.0 lakhs per annum (Source).

b. Post Doctorate

You can also choose to stay in the same university for varying periods (from one to four years) and get an extended project based on the one you did earlier. You might also work on publishing your erstwhile researched product.

The significance of a post-doctorate is many. They take on individual or group research projects that are impactful. Their research and findings help society, government education, industries, etc.

A post-doc has the autonomy of their day. Some of the skills that are required from a post-doc are the nature of being inquisitive, research skills, documentation, verbal and written communication, a good hold of the subject matter, people skills, team management, etc.

The salary for a post-doc may vary depending on factors such as the institution, domain, research topic, experience, etc. On average, a postdoctoral researcher procures the compensation of 10.0 lakhs per annum. The salary ranges from 3.0 lakhs per annum to 40.0 lakhs per annum (Source). People have apprehension about “ What comes after PhD ?” Post-doctorate can be considered an option.

c. Adjunct Position

An adjunct position is a non-tenure position in universities; they are professionals who don’t carry the title of a professor but make valuable contributions to the faculty. In some universities, professionals in Adjunct positions work overtime and bear numerous educational responsibilities.

d. Teaching

PhD holders can teach at institutions offering undergraduate courses where they are looking for staff with a PhD who can carry out practical research.

PhD candidates can be assistant professors by teaching undergraduate courses or being a part of committees that help form academic and organisational policies and perform research to achieve tenure.

There exists a myth that PhD courses are designed to PAVE the path for individuals to become professors at the university level. However, the horizons of a PhD degree spread farther than simply academia, so it’s wrong to assume so. 

Here’s looking at the different verticals where PhD holders can chart a rewarding career. 

2. Government Jobs

The government job sector is ideal for patriotic and passionate people who want to serve the country. Since the government is always on the lookout for creative and skilled people, professionals who love researching and put their skills to good use can rely on the government sector. 

PhD holders carry a unique, innovative perspective that allows them to view complex problems, understand them and make practical, diplomatic choices.

There are several opportunities here, starting from the military sector (e.g. military research). If you are interested in politics, you can opt for a policymaker position in state and central government. You can also be a minister if you can work your way up with innovative diplomatic ideas.

First, the PhD holders are eligible to sit in the government exam. They are highly qualified professionals who give a learned and deeper perspective to the government professionals that helps in better decision-making. They can work in various departments of the government, such as policy making, rural development, transportation, scientific research, military, international relations, etc. One can procure various PhD jobs in India in the government sector.

3. Entrepreneur

In today’s world, the entrepreneurship sector is growing exponentially. Since information and technology are accessible to everyone, there’s a growing shift towards startups, self-employment, and innovation. PhDs holders carry the potential to be first-grade innovators/entrepreneurs.

Research shows that PhDs and entrepreneurial journeys are way more similar than they seem, and hence, students who have PhD degrees are very likely to thrive when they get into entrepreneurship.

Apart from various similarities between the entrepreneurs and PhDs, there is one common similarity between these two, and that is innovation and research skills. Both of these professionals identify a problem persisting in society and develop a model that solves it. So naturally, the PhD holders seem as a fit progression to entrepreneurship.

Some of the skills required for a successful entrepreneur are identifying problems, critical thinking, problem-solving, business management, creativity,  team management, self-starter attitude, communication skills, networking, etc.

4. Consultancy

The skillset required to be a consultant includes maintaining large amounts of data. Plenty of companies rely on MBA professionals and PhD holders for consultancy due to the increasing influence of technology in the real world.

Large consultancy firms hire PhD holders from all different fields. The idea is to leverage valuable data and glean helpful insights to empower business decision-making. 

PhD and other advanced degrees help students shine in consultancy since there is a massive requirement for specialised expertise in today’s age. Therefore, if you have a PhD, consultancy is a very prominent job opportunity that can be highly rewarding.

There are various reasons for being a consultant professional as a PhD holder, as they have a high capacity for critical thinking. They are skillful for effectively and scientifically solving problems. The PhD holders can effectively analyse the data and come to conclusions. The companies hire the PhD holders for the level of expertise they bring. Usually, they are hired at the same level as MBA professionals. This may vary depending on the companies, level of skill sets, location, and other factors.

5. Digital Media Company

The job description is to prepare reports providing a comprehensive analysis and context on various topics. It also includes preparing reports on artistic and cultural events. A PhD course equips you to be an individual with excellent writing and research skills. These are extremely handy when pursuing a writing job opportunity at media company.

Unlike a regular digital marketing professional a PhD holder would come up with a much deeper perspective and understanding. They would be having the in depth knowledge of the funcitonings. 

There is an option available to do PhD in digital marketing, these professionals would come up with understanding on the culture, society, ethnicities, human behaviour and many more. There are various options available fo r phd jobs as   there are various firms and companies that employe the professionals.

6. Research Associate

As the word suggests, a research associate job position requires you to gather data to determine whether consumers or companies find a product or service desirable or appealing.

For this job position, the skills you acquire during your PhD study (presentation and research skills) prove to be highly influential; these are the skills that help you excel in research.

Switching from academic research to corporate research, where the information acquired via research is used well, is a choice most professionals make these days since academic research can get monotonous and underwhelming at times.

The research associates are responsible for various tasks such as gathering of data, preparing data, analysing, reporting, research and may more. They identify the problem and then go about their workf to find solutions for the problem.

It is considered as one of the most sought- after jobs one can go for. There are various industries and fields one can go ahead to make a career fro themselves. These researches make a positive contribution to the society in various fields such as history, science, art and culture, society, policy making, etc.

Usually there is no degree after PhD is required to become a research associate a PhD suffices. Moreover, the profession as a research associate is high paying and is a stable career. 

7. Product Manager

The job profile of a product manager includes overseeing every aspect of the development, growth, maintenance, and improvement of a product.

Companies prefer PhD holders over other UG PG holders for positions that require overseeing or handling end-to-end tasks since a PhD equips you to handle multitasking effortlessly.

The role of a product manager doesn’t stop after product formulation and release. It extends to maintenance, improving product performance, devising marketing strategies, and enhancing product efficiency by bringing in new methods that can replace older ways. Online PhD programs offer you offer flexibility to manage your work and other commitments.

 A product manager is required to be aware of the customer’s needs and manage to address the gap by innovating the product. They are responsible for making the product better that helps in taking the business forward. 

In order to all of that, they are required to be equipped with certain skill sets that understands th ehuman behavioru, mindsets of people coming from different geographies and age groups. And according to various factors, inculcate the innovations in such a way that the product feels relatable to the target audience. But most importantly, they should also be having the business acumen that helps them in aking decisions that benefits the business.

The profession as a product manager is considered as high paying and on average the salary goes up to 16.3 lakhs per annum. The average salary ranges from 6.0 lakhs per annum to 35.0 lakhs per annum (Source). This salary bracket may differ due to various factors such as geographical location, skill sets, experience, type of company, etc.

Check out upGrad’s Global Doctor of Business Administration from the ACBSP-accredited Swiss School of Business and Management. The 36-months program caters to 75+ nationalities and provides 12+ specialisations and 70+ faculty industry collaborations to help you succeed. There are 1:1 thesis supervisions to ensure you exploit your potential in your domain of choice. 

The minimum requirement to pursue this degree is a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) or 5+ years of work experience. Don’t wait, sign up and book your seat today!

Is it easier to find a career opportunity with a PhD degree?

Based on my own experience and observations, pursuing a PhD, although demanding in terms of time and effort, can significantly broaden your career horizons. PhD holders are highly esteemed for their specialized knowledge, exceptional research skills, and critical thinking abilities. They find ample opportunities in academia, securing coveted positions as professors and researchers. Moreover, industries such as healthcare, finance, and technology highly value PhDs, often offering them lucrative roles in research and development, data analysis, and leadership.  

However, the ease of finding suitable job opportunities after phd in india can vary based on factors like your field of study and location. In India, PhD graduates can unlock diverse and rewarding career paths with the right set of skills and effective networking. The investment in higher education pays off in the form of fulfilling and promising professional opportunities.

T he landscape of job opportunities after a PhD in India in 2024 appears promising and diverse. The demand for highly skilled and specialized professionals continues to grow across various sectors. Whether you aspire to excel in academia, contribute to cutting-edg e research, or significantly impac t the corporate world, a PhD opens doors to numerou s avenues. The key lies in leveragin g your unique expertis e , networking effectively, and staying attuned to emerging trends in your field. With the right strategy and dedication, you can embark on a fulfilling and rewarding career journey, making your investment in a Ph .D. an asset in the dynamic Indian job market.  

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Communication skills can effectively drive career potential since PhD holders are expected to deliver out-of-the-box thinking, management, and creative ways of solving problems via critical thinking. Developing communication skills is crucial in showcasing and presenting your ideas to technical and non-tech teams convincingly.

PhD holders have the upper hand over Master’s or Bachelors's students across industries due to their high-end skill sets that include critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision making. In addition, their unmatched research skills and data management abilities make them an obvious choice for a host of high-profile roles across industries.

The average salary of PhD holders ranges between ₹ 6,00,000 and ₹ 12,00,000 per year, depending on the field of choice, experience, and skillsets. The average base salary for a PhD holder working as a professor is ₹16,73,000 per year, approximately ₹90k per month).

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