Resources for Scientists

Obtaining a PhD in your profession of choice is the final step of the formal education process for most professionals. Upon completing their dissertations and receiving their diplomas, PhDs will have the necessary arsenal of skills needed to work as a specialist in their field. PhDs are coveted for their general research and analytical skills, along with their specializations within their field of study. In addition to having formal training in regards to their general specialties, PhDs are often considered experts within the scope of their dissertations.

As with any well-informed job search process, however, a well-informed job search requires adequate research of job markets before one can brandish their collection of academic and professional knowledge to the world. This resource will help you acquire a lay of the land on the general job market for PhD graduates in addition to offering links to specific fields of study.

Resources

  • PhD Student Salar

    Reporting salaries of PhD students that are working part-time jobs or holding teaching assistant jobs. Many scientific PhD candidates work part time research positions to augment their education. A good resource to help decide the opportunity cost of attending graduate school.

  • Exploring Nonprofit Organizations

    Not-for-profit organizations have gained prominence in recent years as a result of the growing number of and scope of operations they have adopted. As these organizations continue to conduct cutting-edge scientific research, the demand for PhDs in these positions will grow, creating great opportunities for employment.

  • Careers in Science and Engineering

    A comprehensive guide on career possibilities for scientists and engineers. Compiled by a group of academics and professionals in the fields of study.

  • American Mathematical Society

    Job search tool for mathematical PhDs. Includes a job board, tips, and advice for the interview process.

  • Linguist List

    The premier source for finding professional and academic positions in linguistics. Includes a section specific to graduates and research assistant positions. Although commonly mistaken as part of the humanities, linguistics has recently incorporated statistically and technically rigorous techniques used in the field of neuroscience and pschology.

  • PhD’s Guide to Consulting

    Consultancies constantly search for mathematicians, chemists, and biologists because of their ability to quickly learn technical skills. An overview of the interview process from a PhD graduate with a consulting firm. Covers how to “brand” yourself, preparing for the interview, and reflecting on the experience.

  • College Professor Job

    PayScale’s review of a college professor’s daily responsibilities and salary information. As one of the most popular career options for scientific PhDs, gives good insight into what a career as a professor will look like.

  • Corporate Research

    Corporations need research assistants for virtually every aspect of the supply chain. Market research is needed to gauge consumer demand, financial analysis to measure the feasibility of projects, and impact analysis to determine the effectiveness of a product.

  • Plant Taxonomy

    Outline of a PhD graduate in plant taxonomy’s career path. Highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary knowledge base and the ability to convey ideas through writing.

  • University Employment Opportunities to Help Recent PhD Graduates

    Description of two research opportunities at Oregon State University and Rutgers University. In contrast to traditional post-doc opportunities, these research positions emphasize the application of skills that scientific PhDs have in real-world applications.

  • Clinical Trial Careers

    Clinical trials represent the quintessential positions of PhD graduates. Not only do clinical trials require a high degree of expertise within medicine, they require an understanding of statistics and effective writing skills.

  • Psychology in Animals

    Overview of working in animal psychology by PhD Jacqueline Ogden. Timeline of her career options from her undergraduate career to finding a career upon graduation from her PhD program.

  • Forensic Psychologist

    Job description of a forensic psychologist. An example of a research position available for PhD graduates in a non-academic setting.

  • Clinical Neuropsychopharmacologist

    An account of a psychology PhD who transferred from a traditional research role upon graduation to a privately-owned pharmaceutical.