Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest level degree course and the biggest milestone any student can achieve in their academic journey. This rigorous and mostly research-based study program requires dedication and determination. Based on the university and your specialisation, it may take up to 3-6 years to complete this course. But what career avenues can study abroad students pursue after completing a PhD? Let’s find out.

Also Read : What is PhD: An informative guide

Key Highlights

• Career after PhD: Options and scope
• Postdoc (Postdoctoral)
• Faculty position
• Join your preferred domain
• Business Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Things to keep in mind when looking for job opportunities after PhD
• Jobs after PhD in Physics
• Jobs after PhD in Chemistry
• Jobs after PhD in the UK
• Jobs after PhD in the US

Career after PhD: Options and scope

Postdoc (Postdoctoral)

This is a common path that most PhD students are known to follow as it is the next step after a PhD. The postdoc is a temporary position that students can take at their university or outside the university. It is like a training period to hone their skills before leaping into their professional career. Interestingly, most postdocs aspirants prefer the STEM domain as there is a huge scope to grow, with few exceptions who select humanities too.

Also Read : Everything you must know before pursuing PhD in Australia

Faculty position

You can be a professor if you don’t want to dedicate any time to training and aim at a faculty position. If teaching is your forte, you can skip a postdoc option and opt for a faculty position. You can explore job opportunities across the world or in the university where you completed your PhD, as the scope to excel at this position is tremendous.

Join your preferred domain

Instead of building your career in the academic field, you can turn to any industry of your choice to get a job after your PhD. For instance, if you hold a PhD in Economics, you can work in the financial industry. Many successful businesses prefer a candidate with a PhD degree as they value add with their competitive skills and industry-specific knowledge.

Also Read : PhD in New Zealand: A detailed guide

Business Consultant

Business consultants are hired for their immense knowledge in a particular area and their problem-solving skills. PhD holders, and not just management professionals, are preferred as business consultants to develop strategies to deal with immediate client-facing problems and analyse and enhance organisational practices.

Entrepreneur

A PhD degree will transform you into a learned and competitive individual ready to create business ideas, analyse and identify profitable avenues, and build strategies to achieve business goals. You can also consider working with a start-up before venturing into your business to understand the challenges of a newly established business.
Things to keep in mind when looking for job opportunities after PhD

• Apart from theoretical and practical knowledge, you need to pay attention to personality development.
• In addition to your PhD, management skills will mould you to be an effective leader.
• Communication skills and other soft skills will enable you to attract the right job opportunities.

Jobs after PhD in Physics

After completing PhD in Physics, you can work with world-class research institutes and research-focused universities. A PhD degree will open a whole new world of opportunities in research-based roles known to be super competitive and lucrative simultaneously.

Also Read : What students must know about PhD courses

Some popular jobs after PhD in Physics

• Research Scientist
• Lab Supervisor
• Physicist
• Technical Writer
• Professor

Jobs after PhD in Chemistry

You will find ample job opportunities in environmental consultancies, industrial laboratories, research institutes, the Food industry and research-intensive varsities. Your expert knowledge in organic & inorganic chemistry and advanced analytical chemistry will impart refined knowledge. PhD students are known to earn some handsome packages after completing the course.

Some popular jobs after PhD in Chemistry

• Chemical Researcher
• Chemist
• Scientist
• Medical Technologist

Jobs after PhD in the UK
The UK is an academic and financial hub, so you can find suitable work opportunities in academia and flourishing industries depending on your area of specialisation. Did you know that 150 educational institutions in the UK offer PhD degrees?

Also Read : PhD in Psychology: A comprehensive guide

Here are some opportunities in the UK for PhD students

• Principal Scientist
• Systems Engineer
• Associate Professor

Jobs after PhD in the US

The US universities and research institutions attract research funding to carry out research work and hence require an appropriate talent for research and development.

Some popular opportunities in the UK after completing a PhD

• Doctoral Fellowships in Landscape and Urban Studies
• Research Associate
• Associate Professor

So, with this information, you can plan your career after your PhD. If you are planning your academic journey but find it expensive, you can opt for an education loan. Student loans are a fantastic way to fund your higher education independently. If you need any assistance, please feel free to connect with us.