Finding a research job outside of academia – live chat

The number of highly qualified researchers has soared over the last decade. In the five years leading up to 2013-14, there has been a 20% increase in the PhD graduates. But despite this rise, the pool of university jobs available to ambitious researchers has remained small. A recent survey by the Guardian suggests that most university staff (65%) believe it is becoming harder to forge a career in academia.

Only 23% of UK-domiciled PhDs found work as research staff in higher education institutions in the year following graduation, according to research carried out by Vitae in 2009. This was the case for only 14% for arts and humanities and graduates.

And the number securing long-term careers in the field is even smaller. Figures from the Royal Society suggest that only 3.5% of science PhD graduates do so.

Competition for jobs is so stiff that Athene Donald, head of a Royal Society working group, said universities should explicitly warn PhD students that they are “not walking into a job for life”.

But what jobs are available to researchers outside of academia? How does the work culture in industry and academia differ from university? And – if you do decide to make the transition – how can you ensure that your application stands out?

On Friday 22 May, we’ll be joined by a panel of experts including representatives from industry, careers advisers, former academics to discuss the opportunities for ambitious researchers, and the pros and cons of leaving higher education.

Panelists confirmed so far:

• Traci Wilson is HEI programme manager at Vitae, an organisation dedicated to the professional development of researchers. She joined Vitae from the University of Oxford where she was a Marie Curie researcher in electoral democracy. @Vitae_news

• Julia Wilkinson is a researcher development careers consultant at the University of Exeter.

• Samina Zaman is education officer the British Ecological Society.

• Donna Kridelbaugh is a strategic communications consultant and former scientist. She also freelance writes on career development topics. @science_mentor

• Chris Humphrey held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of York until 2000. Since leaving academia, he has worked as a project and programme manager in the private sector. In 2012 Chris founded Jobs on Toast, a blog dedicated to helping master’s students and doctoral graduates find fulfilling careers outside of academia.
  

• Afthab Hussain is a lecturer in cardiovascular pharmacology and physiology at Coventry University. After completing his postdoctoral studies he pursued an academic career. Currently, he supervises a number of PhD students within the field of cardiovascular research. He is an early career researcher and has published in a number of peer reviewed journals and presented his research at both national and international conferences.

• Jane Rudling is managing director at Marketing Sciences Unlimited, a market research company that specialises in research methods such as neuroscience and sensory testing. It recruits graduates with PhDs in neuroscience and sensory science. @mktingsciences

• Beth Lomax is head of recruitment at Researchers in Schools, a teacher training programme exclusive to postdoctoral researchers. RIS blends teacher training with research, aiming to increase subject expertise, promote research and widen access to university in non-selective state schools. @RISchools

If you’d like to join the panel, email rebecca.ratcliffe@theguardian.com

Join us this Friday, 22 May, from 12-2pm BST in the comments section below. The discussion is open to all and we encourage you to post questions and share your views on science research in the media. To take part, create a Guardian comment account.

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