Post on 02-Nov-2014
description
Career Options After Your
Chemistry PhD
Charlie Cunningham (Senior Careers Consultant)
How Do You Feel?
Definite idea
Several career ideas
Vague Idea
No Idea
Objectives
Outline typical career options open to you after your
PhD.
Reflect on your own skills, strengths and what you enjoy
doing.
Plan simple steps you can take to move your own career
decision making forward.
Appreciate the importance of tailored applications.
Dr. Steve Margetts, Director, Keema Ltd
Where do PhDs Go…
Academia
Fewer than 1 in 6 go
into academic jobs
(HESA data 2011/12)
Industry/Other
Destinations after6 Months
Employed Further Study
Unemployed Work and Study
Other
In latest 3 surveys, Academic:
Research Assistant
(Engineering, Cardiff)
Post-Doctoral
Researcher, Warwick
Post-Doc Research
Fellow, U of Mons-
Hainault
Post Doctoral Resarch
Officer, U of Bath
Post-Doctoral
Researcher, Italian
National Research
Council
Post-Doctoral Research
Fellow, Nat. Autonomous
U of Mexico
Post-Doctoral
Researcher, University of
Texas
In latest 3 surveys, Non-Academic:
Technologist at Infineum (Petrol
additives)
Research Physicist at Shimadzu
(Analytical Instruments)
Research Scientist at Akzo Nobel
Chemistry Teacher – Joseph
Chamberlaine College
HPC Software Developer –
Numerical Algorithm Group
Account Executive – Bmore
Creative Advertising Agency
Consulting Analyst – Frost and
Sullivan (Research consultancy)
Director of Neschem (Contracted
synthesis of organic
intermediates)
Quality Control Manager, Reckitt
Benckiser
Research Engineer, Halma
Senior Research Scientist,
Signature Discover Ltd
Academic Jobsteaching in lectures and
seminars;
marking and assessing work;
writing up research and
publishing the findings;
applying for research grants;
analysing data and preparing
reports;
presenting work at
conferences and seminars;
administrative work.
“Because of assessments such as
the REF, institutions are working
in a more competitive
environment and are under
pressure to recruit the best
possible staff. In turn, this
increases the pressure on the
academic staff that are given jobs,
and many are set performance
targets which they are expected
to hit.” – From Prospects
It can take 5 years to secure a
permanent role. Success depends on:
Dedication to the subject
Resilience in face of tough job market
Confidence to deal with criticism
Stamina to face heavy demands in early
stages of career….
It can take 5 years to secure a
permanent role. Success depends on:
Building your research profile
Developing your research trajectory
Gaining Teaching Experience
Typical Salaries
research assistant: £20,000 to £25,000;
postdoctoral researcher: £30,000 to
£38,000;
higher education lecturer: £33,000 to
£46,000.
Increasing Your Chances
• Become knowledgeable about department
and research area you are interested in.
• Seek out people who can help you.
• Good publications record
• Experience of teaching
• Administration and supervision experience
• Knowledge of funding opportunities
Industrial Sponsorship
E.g. Lubrizol, BP (Rachel O’Reilly),
Infineum (Peter Scott)
Other SMEs/start ups
You can apply for Semi-Independent
Fellowships e.g. EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC,
Royal Commission of 1851
Useful Sites
Vitae – Researcher Career Development
Manchester Academic Careers
Jobs.ac.uk – Academic Jobs
Department Websites – Warwick
EPSRC – Industrial partnerships
Non-Academic Jobs
PHD Programme – Markets, Maths Finance..
https://myadvantage.warwick.ac.uk/ViewJob.chpx?id=389942
Research Chemist
http://www.lubrizol.com/Careers/Job-Search.html
Other Resources
See Websites for Career Ideas.
UK Science Parks
Company websites
Linkedin, Facebook for larger orgs
Careers and Skills
Your supervisors, colleagues.
Reflecting on Your Skills/Strengths
Researcher Development Framework
University of Reading Skills Transformer
Roosevelt Says:
“In any moment of decision, the best thing
you can do is the right thing, the next best
thing is the wrong thing, and the worst
thing you can do is nothing.”
So How Do You Decide?
American Chemical Society article for
chemistry PhDs – know your strengths,
follow your passion……
Further Resources
LDC page for Research Active Staff
American Chemical Society – Transferring
Your PhD
Google Hangouts – Job after your PhD
Manchester Academic Careers
Jobs on Toast
Top Tips for ApplicationsPrework
Research companies and
research groups
Underline key features of
the job advert
Reflect on your own
skills/qualities
Prioritise information.
Applications
Read instructions
carefully – speak with
people if unsure
Tailor to the role
Get it checked – Book at
appointments