what to do after 12 for phd

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Finished your PhD? Six questions to ask yourself about what’s next

There is no single path to success, so here's a plan to help you choose.

Natalie Parletta

Credit: z_wei/Getty Images

13 October 2020

z_wei/Getty Images

Early career researchers can find it challenging to decide what to do next after dedicating years to their PhD.

There are many different paths that can lead to a successful career, from increasing your publication numbers or transitioning to a different lab or institution to acknowledging that what you really need is a break.

Nature Index asked five researchers for their insights on what to do after completing a PhD.

1. Pursue your passion project – even if it’s niche

“I can’t emphasise enough that science has to be something you love doing,” says biologist Aaron MacNeil from Dalhousie University in Canada, who studies marine conservation, focussing on species such as reef sharks and monkfish.

Aaron MacNeil

But what if you’ve been researching a niche topic that will only ever have small amounts of funding and a small pool of collaborators?

To balance passion and productivity, geneticist Marguerite Evans-Galea from Australia’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute suggests running two projects in parallel, even if one is an offshoot of the other. She notes, for example, that some of the greatest techniques in conservation were borrowed from economics.

Pursuing a research area that’s more advanced and can garner more funding gives you the opportunity to continue working on your niche area where time permits.

Ask yourself : Now that you no longer have the structure of a PhD program in place to support your passion project, do you have the right collaborators to help keep the momentum up?

Alessandro Ossola

2. Move to a different lab or institution

“To grow academically and personally, you need exposure to new ideas, people and places,” says Alessandro Ossola, an urban ecology researcher at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

Ossola made several unsuccessful postdoc applications towards the end of his PhD before winning a fellowship with the United States’ National Research Council (NRC). Ossola says his experience working with the NRC gave him a better understanding of government procedures, which has helped him pursue research that can make a tangible difference to people’s lives.

Moving cities or even countries can be an excellent career decision to gain new skills and a wider network of collaborators.

While the pandemic may prevent such moves just now, Terry Ord, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, recommends that new PhD graduates use this time to research the labs and institutes that interest them, connecting with their researchers via Zoom.

Ask yourself : What preparation work can I do now to ensure that I’m in a good place to make a move once travel restrictions are lifted?

Trisha Atwood. Credit: Edd Hammill

3. Switch fields and work your way up again

Some researchers may consider switching fields. The competitive research environment can make it difficult to catch up, but not impossible.

After completing her PhD, Trisha Atwood, assistant professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences and the Ecology Center at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, left the US to do a postdoc on an unfamiliar research topic (carbon storage in marine systems) at Australia’s University of Queensland.

“That opportunity reshaped my research and catapulted my career,” she says. “I got to work with some of the most productive, creative, and nicest people I’ve ever met in research.”

Although working your way back up in a new field may be daunting, Atwood says there are advantages. “If you can integrate aspects of your past field with your current one, you may be able to do something truly transformational.”

Ask yourself : Are you ready to ‘start again’ in a new field and work your way up, and do you have a supportive environment to get you through the initial challenges?

4. Stay the course and focus on publishing

Publications are important, but it’s not just a numbers game, says Evans-Galea. “To compete on the international stage, you need to be publishing quality over quantity, driving change and making a difference.”

Evans-Galea recommends reading often , which can deepen and broaden your knowledge base and make you a better and more productive writer.

Marguerite Evans-Galea

And while you can’t always be publishing ground-breaking work, Ord recommends that young researchers challenge themselves to turn an average paper into something better, by packaging it with a meta-analysis, for instance, or using a null finding to challenge an accepted paradigm.

Ask yourself: Which papers do I truly admire, and what elements can I take from those to improve my own manuscripts?

5. Consider an industry role

A PhD can be a distinct advantage when pursuing an industry role. If this appeals to you, investigate what industries relevant to you are looking for, as corporate organizations tend to value expertise differently to academic institutions.

Some industries value communication and teamwork skills more highly than individual achievement, for example.

Networking can be the key to gaining a good position with industry. Isaiah Hankel , a business consultant and author, contacted employers on LinkedIn after completing his PhD in anatomy and cell biology at the University of Iowa. He attended networking events and organized chats and site visits with prospective employers before being hired as an application scientist at biosciences company FlowJo.

Ask yourself : Am I comfortable leaving academia for at least the next few years, to further my career?

6. Take time off, but keep up your connections

If you’re not ready to make a decision on next steps, you may be able to step away for a while.

This can be especially useful if you’re yet to publish a paper. MacNeil suggests taking on a part-time job if possible and using your spare time to write up and publish papers based on your thesis work.

It’s important to treat your break as a breather – not a holiday – so you don’t feel too far behind once you’re ready to return to research. Keep up connections and volunteer at conferences while working on publications. You could also take writing courses or create an academic blog.

Ask yourself : Are you ready to jump straight into another high-pressure environment, or would you be better off taking some time to recoup, publish, and explore your options?

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Life after phd: what are your options, published by steve tippins on april 20, 2019 april 20, 2019.

Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 04:35 am

Congratulations, you completed your doctoral degree. It has been years in the making and now you are there. This is a time to relish what you have done and congratulate yourself. It’s also a time to consider what your next steps are.

While you may have started your PhD program with future goals in mind, chances are you forgot that life after PhD existed. But now you’re here, and it’s time to consider what to do. So what are your next steps? What comes after you get your PhD?

Personal Life After PhD

I deliberately put this section first. Mostly because, while pursuing a PhD, many people forget that they can have a personal life. Now that you’ve completed your PhD, it’s time to consider what you want your life to look like. Unless you want it to look the same as it did during your PhD program, I recommend taking some time to find yourself again as a whole person, separate from your PhD program. Here are my recommendations.

You did it. This goal has probably been on the horizon for years. Many people think about completing a doctorate well before they enter a program. Then there is coursework and a dissertation to write. You have sacrificed a great deal to get to this point. Take some time for you now to celebrate.  

Thank those who helped you get here . Take yourself and those who were part of the journey out for a celebratory meal. Perhaps there is a trip that you have been putting off until this moment? I have seen a lot of t-shirts lately that say “Phinished.” Let your pride show.

You have been hard at work on this degree for years. Once you have celebrated, it’s time to take stock of where you are and what you want to do. It may be much different than when you entered your program.

So, take a moment to breathe. Look around you (literally and figuratively) to see what things look like now. Learn to take time to do nothing. This can be very challenging for people who have been so dedicated to the accomplishment of a goal, but it is essential if you are to have space to figure out your next steps.

Find Yourself Again

Remember how you used to like to  _______ (insert your favorite activities here)? Now you can go back and find these things again and maybe get involved in new things. No need to feel guilty any longer for taking time for yourself.

Professional Life After PhD

After you have paused to congratulate yourself and breathe a little I encourage you to jump into the possibilities that await you. Not only have you accomplished a major milestone, you have used and developed many skills to get here. Use everything that you have learned to show the world what you can do. How do you do this? Here are some of your options.

You wrote a dissertation, let people know what you found. Make your document into at least one publication. Not only did your dissertation get you across the finish line, but it is also an asset. You worked hard to create a solid document. Make the most of it and add to your academic credibility by publishing in an academic journal.

Also, start pursuing some of the other research areas that interest you. While working on your degree you probably came across a number of interesting ideas that you had to put aside to reach your goal. Now that you have achieved your goal, you can explore. Dig into those topics that piqued your interest. Use those academic chops, flex your research muscles. Life after PhD doesn’t necessarily have to be any less academically rigorous if that’s what you enjoy.

Teaching can be a rewarding profession. If you feel this is your calling, consider the following questions: Do you want to teach full time or part time? Would you rather teach online or in a classroom? Are you committed to one geographic location or are you able to relocate? Each area offers various opportunities.

If this is the path you want to pursue, work on creating a CV (curriculum vitae) that fits the standards of your discipline. You will also usually submit documents covering your teaching philosophy, a list of references, research agenda, and copies of teaching reviews. If you get a campus visit interview, you will most likely need to prepare a presentation about your research and may be asked to teach a class. Tip: you can base your presentation on your dissertation defense.

Remember to ask for advice from those who have been there before. Get acquainted with norms. Your professors and advisors are an excellent resource to help you prepare for this, as are my career coaching services .

To find a teaching job, take a look at the Chronicle of Higher Education . The Chronicle posts academic jobs every day. You can also check out HigherEdJobs which has jobs that may not make it to the Chronicle.

If you’re interested in teaching online, take a look at my article about where to find online professor jobs , which includes a list of online universities that are currently hiring.

Jobs Outside of Academia

There may be alternatives to teaching or working in academia. Speaking at conferences, consulting, and getting a promotion or a new job all may be options you want to pursue. Having a PhD means you are part of a small and coveted group outside of academia–use this to your advantage.

If this is the path you want to take, you will need to have a resume and to be ready to answer all kinds of questions. Take the time to update your resume after finishing your PhD, adding relevant new accomplishments and experience besides the degree itself.

Remember to highlight the unique strengths and skills that completing your PhD program demonstrates you have. Remember that you are a member of a small group of people with an exceptionally useful skill set, and a degree to prove it. You have proven your capacity to innovate, learn, work with others, and work hard. Consider what lessons you learned from your PhD program that can apply to any professional setting, and highlight those.

Life After PhD: Summary

You have been through a lot. Late nights, a few tears, lots of work, and maybe even a few laughs. Now you have finished and have completed your doctorate. Congratulate yourself and thank those who helped you.

Take a little time to savor your accomplishment and then chart a path forward. During your journey you planted many seeds, now it is time to let all of them grow. Life after PhD may be even more rewarding than you imagined.

PS. Need some help figuring out life after PhD? I offer career coaching services for postdoctoral graduates.

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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Ask the Expert: What should I do after getting a PhD?

One thing you may have realized — or learned from Charles Craik’s keynote lecture, if you attended the U.S. Symposium — is that tenure-track positions in academia are hard to come by.  Although academic research positions have historically been thought of the “default” career path for a PhD in science, they’re now considered anything but.

Instead, as Craik explained, there are a lot of exciting career options available to PhDs and a great need for PhDs across multiple fields, including law, communication, education, and business.

What do you choose? Or, at the very least, how can you learn more about your options? We posed these questions to Natalie Lundsteen, PhD, director of Graduate Career Development at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences . She specializes in working with graduate students undertaking PhDs, on a range of activities from career planning to negotiating job offers. Here are her (edited) responses.

Do graduate students come to your office interested in securing a postdoc?

NL: What I’m seeing now is students coming in, saying, ‘I’d prefer to go the academic track, but I know that option might not be open to me even if I choose that.’

The job market right now in academia is intensely competitive. Even students who want postdocs and academic careers aren’t assured of getting a position. There’s a logjam of postdocs for the past three years who are still trying to get tenure-track positions. So currently, graduating students are competing against postdocs for postdoc positions and academic positions.

When should someone start planning for the next steps beyond graduate school?

NL: As soon as possible. I’ve had students in this summer who are very active in looking ahead. They’re asking, ‘What can I do during my time here to be most competitive for an academic career as well as any other options I might choose?’

What do you tell them?

NL: The first thing is to identify and make use of all the resources at the university.

• The first place is in the department — looking to their adviser, other faculty, or postdocs as potential [career] mentors. Departments usually have an administrator or academic officer of some kind. That person is a good resource for career options too. They run the department announcements or listserv.
• Then there’s the career center. Usually, one person there works specifically with graduate students and PhDs.
• Most universities also have a teaching and learning center, which helps grad students get a teaching certificate. Or in some cases, they are a good resource for writing a teaching statement required for an academic application.
• Offices of technology transfer or research/community outreach might help graduates find places in industry that can use their expertise. Some of these offices even offer internships for PhD students.
• Reaching out to all these resources helps students create a network from the get-go, but it’s also important to just be aware of what’s available.
• Something that also goes along with the academic department is joining professional societies or organizations. That happens during the course of the PhD but it’s important to get involved early.

These are all things that a person can do right away?

NL: Absolutely. You don’t necessarily need to or want to because you have a lot going on. But it’s good to be thinking about it. After that first semester, you’re settling in, learning how to become an academic researcher. It’s kind of hard to think about the end game, but you should.

What steps can PhD students take to broaden their career options, before they’ve decided exactly what to do?

NL: Grab any opportunities you can. Teach. Universities always offer training for new teaching assistants. But if there’s any kind of certification you can get, it’s important to do that.

Along the way, too, if you’re considering a career in industry, be open to opportunities like internships or externships that will expose you to industry, even if it’s just attending panels with alumni who come back and talk about their jobs or going to any professional or trade industry events in your region to listen and learn.

Whether or not you’re going for the academic route, serve on committees. Manage activities and projects — even small ones. For example, you might be a peer mentor who helps younger students learn the ropes. Take those opportunities if you can because they can demonstrate a lot to employers both academic and other.

What about students who are toward the end of their PhDs? Does planning make all the difference?

NL: It’ll really depend on the individual, but just be aware of what your options are. Even students who have been planning throughout their doctorates to go into academia may not be successful, and this might happen at the very end of their PhD. They could be in the same position as someone who has done no planning whatsoever. But, emphasizing the activities I mentioned, like serving on committees, getting involved with extracurriculars, getting a teaching certificate, perhaps doing a mini externship or mini-project of some kind — those can still serve them well in applying to a non-academic job.

How can students research the career options available to them?

NL: The number one thing, no matter where you are, is to look at those who have gone before you. Think of it as a research question. Where have the PhD students with your same degree and at your same institutions ended up? Every university — not just in the US but I know we had it at Oxford where I worked before — has databases where you can look at what alumni have done. Your network of Amgen Scholar alumni is another option.

That’s “stage one” of the research — figuring out where the people are and how many of them are in academia or other industries. Stage two is contacting those people and having a chat with them, to learn what it means to be a principal manager, analyst, a consultant, or whatever the title might be. You will learn so much more valuable information about what a career is all about from the people who are doing those jobs.

Talking to people about what they do (and if they like it or not) is no different than gathering data about anything else. And this research helps calm a lot of people because, for example, they can see that there are hundreds or thousands of people who have gone out into the world and have jobs.

Recommended links:

My IDP (individual development plan).

Myidp.sciencecareers.org    

Helps scientists-in-training explore different career trajectories in science and set specific professional goals. Free for all users.

The Versatile PhD

Versatilephd.com

A community and resource for graduate students who are exploring or preparing for non-academic careers. Access to the community is free. Users must pay a subscription fee to access premium content. (See whether you belong to a subscribing university here.)

Bio Careers

Biocareers.com

Online career resources and job postings, aimed at expanding professional options for life science PhDs and MDs. You’ll need to pay to access this resource, but you might attend a member institution, which pays for access on behalf of its degree candidates, postdocs, and alumni. Caltech, Columbia, UCLA, Stanford and WUSTL are all members.

Amgen Scholars is an international program funded by the Amgen Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by Harvard University .

What to Do After PhD? – Pros and Cons of Pursuing Postdoc

“Received my PhD. Where do I go from here? What to do after PhD?”—is one of the most common challenges for students who have recently graduated. So if you’re stuck at this point of deciding whether to go ahead with academia or switch to a non-academic career, you’re not alone! How do you plan on taking what you have learned in your PhD and capitalize on it? How do you start your new career or use your PhD to take the next step in your existing one?

What to Do After PhD?

After having spent endless hours conducting your research and passing up enjoyable opportunities to complete your dissertation, you have finally attained the coveted doctorate degree. It’s a remarkable feat! But one struggle that holds on to you is—what do you do now that you’ve finished your PhD?

Be it from your seniors at the university or just having heard it from scholars in your field, one thing you may have realized is that tenure-track positions in academia are hard to come by.  Despite the “default” propensity of PhD graduates pursuing academic research positions, they’re now moving beyond it. Additionally, an uncertain future in academia is a factor of concern amongst all. Here we shall discuss what to do after PhD?—and focus on the pros and cons of pursuing postdoc to make a calculated decision.

Should I Pursue Postdoc?

Navigating through the career waters after PhD can be quite treacherous. Moreover, with the job market in academia being intensely competitive, even students with excellent academic caliber aren’t assured of getting a position.

While the competition is persistent, doing a postdoc is becoming a prerequisite for a successful career. However, your zeal and confidence of wanting to stay in academia can take you a long way. The preliminary postdoc benefits to consider while applying for postdoc are:

• Additional time to expand your research through funding.
• Publish more research work to support or expand your research conducted during Phd.
• More opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Pros of Pursuing Postdoc

While the answer to “What to do after postdoc?” can vary for every researcher depending on their interests, the undeniable benefits of a postdoc position can’t be overseen.

1. Career Development Prospects:

Pursuing career as a postdoc fellow allows you an extended period to work on your research after your PhD. Furthermore, it offers you more flexible opportunities to leverage laboratory facilities than you could during your PhD. It allows you to travel freely for conferences, which lead to meeting scholars from your field and making newer professional connections. Additionally, a postdoc fellow gets opportunity to upskill themselves in their research field and allied domains.

2. Advanced Research Opportunities:

Given the immense value that a postdoc position poses, it opens doors to newer research opportunities. This is not just restricted to independent research but also to collaborative research. Consequently, due to lesser teaching and administrative responsibilities, it will provide you with time to publish more research work. Additionally, it allows you to revise your project cycle, begin a new project, and gain expertise in a given subject. Furthermore, it lets you collaborate with international researchers to work on similar projects. More importantly, as a postdoc your chances of receiving grants increases based on your success as a researcher during PhD.

 3. Technique Development Opportunities :

As a postdoc fellow, you have more time to acquire new technology and research skills. In addition, it lets you gain experience in allied fields that you work in with your colleagues. This leads to an excellent opportunity to perfect your distinctive set of skills and learn advanced techniques in growing times.

4. Intellectual Development:

A postdoc fellowship is a distinguished phase in your career to focus exclusively on your intellectual development. Moreover, it is an important and most influential part of your research training. Therefore, choosing a postdoc can bolster your ability to pursue an advanced and successful research career.

Cons of Pursuing Postdoc

Despite the impressive benefits, considering the flip side of pursuing a postdoc position is imperative before taking the big decision.

1. No Tenure-track Guarantee

The uncertain career prospects in academia does not guarantee a tenure-track position even after completing your postdoc. According to a survey, only 30% of postdocs in the United States, and 20% postdocs in the United Kingdom succeed in acquiring a long term academic position. Moreover, some even have to climb through a series of postdoc positions before reaching a stable academic position. This predicament often leads many postdocs to quit academia and move to an industrial career.

2. Lack of Support

As postdocs are expected to work as an independent researcher, they often receive little to no professional advice or training from experienced researchers at the university. On the contrary, some institutions take advantages of the postdoc fellow as a teaching or researching captive. Furthermore, you may also experience poor working conditions as a result of being neglected by your department and surviving postdoc position becomes difficult.

3. Monetary Challenges

One of the major disadvantages of pursuing a postdoc position is meager salaries. The financial situation of postdoc fellows is so critical that an assistant professor is paid more than them, although fractionally, but yes!

4. Over-qualification

After struggling to acquire a stable academic position, postdocs often try to switch to industrial jobs. In this process, it is found that postdocs are over-qualified for industrial jobs and have to begin from scratch in the new field.

It’s undoubtedly a great feat to have successfully defended your PhD dissertation. How do you decide? What to do after PhD? What do you choose? Let these pros and cons help you in taking a well thought out decision. Tell us how this article helped you in the comments section below! You can also visit our Q&A forum for frequently asked questions related to different aspects of research writing and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.

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• Postdocs: The Definitive Guide
• After a PhD

As soon as you step outside the world of academia, the number of people who know what a postdoctorate is, what they involve and how to secure one quickly plummets. Given that a postdoctorate can be a popular option, especially for Science and Technology-related PhD graduates, it’s essential to address this current gap in knowledge.

What Is a Postdoc?

A postdoc is only one of many paths you can take after having completed your PhD. A postdoc (also referred to as a postdoc or postdoctoral) can be best thought as a temporary position designed to refine your research and teaching skills while undertaking practical research work. Because of this, most regard a postdoc position as a temporary stepping stone for developing a career in a more permanent position.

There’s a common misconception that a postdoctorate is an advanced doctoral degree that is undertaken after having completed a PhD. This misconception arises from individuals associating the word “post” in “postdoctorate” with the word “after”. While you will learn a lot during your time in a postdoc position, it is nothing like a degree. There are no fees, coursework, exams or vivas to deliver (thankfully!). A postdoc is, in fact, a job, and as someone in a postdoc position, you will be considered an ‘employee’. And just like any other job, the position will come with its own salary, responsibilities, training and employers.

Most postdocs are awarded by universities or research institutes as temporary contracts. However, they can also be undertaken in private companies, non-profit charities or government bodies.

What Is The Purpose Of A Postdoc?

As mentioned above, the primary purpose of a postdoc is to help bridge the gap between your current skills and your current level of experience. Due to this, postdoctoral positions are popular amongst those who have recently obtained their PhD. This is especially true for individuals who which to pursue a career in academia or research but don’t yet have adequate experience in teaching or publishing.

For the ‘learning’ nature of this role, postdocs provide an excellent option for those to continue their self-development while pursuing research in a field they’re interested in.

What Does a Postdoc Do?

A postdoc works under the supervision of an experienced researcher known as a postdoctoral advisor. What you will do on a day-to-day basis will, therefore, depend on what they require support on at any given time.

While your responsibilities will depend on your postdoctoral advisor, you can expect the following duties as part of your role:

• Contribute to the supervision of PhD students who are undertaking research projects in a closely related field.
• Supporting the research team in managerial tasks related to planning, organisation and administration.
• Undertake research, including but not limited to: qualitative data collection, data analysis and data and lab management.
• Contribute to the production, review and dissemination of academic and non-academic writing, including publications.

Your responsibilities will also depend on who your postdoc position is with. Positions offered by universities will often place a high emphasis on the academic aspects of the role. This involves aspects such as working more independently, developing your supervisory and teaching capabilities, and improving your communication skills through participation in seminars and conferences. In doing so, they’re helping you to become an individual capable of both conducting research and transferring knowledge – in other words, a university lecturer!

The opposite is true for postdoc positions held in industry, such as a private organisation or government body. As you can expect, these roles will place almost all of its emphasis on conducting research and advancing projects forward, with little focus on anything that falls outside of this.

How Long Should I Be A Postdoc For?

There is no set rule for how long you should remain in a postdoc position. Regardless of this, most individuals stay within a postdoc position for between 2 to 4 years. During this period, it’s not uncommon to move between one or two postdoc positions, with one position being abroad for a more rounded experience.

The time you may choose to spend in a given postdoctoral position will depend on several factors. The most influential of these will be:

• The size of the research project’s scope,
• The support needs of the principal investigator/postdoc advisor,
• The amount of funding available.

Although you could undertake a postdoctorate for a year or less, most will advise against this. This is simply because you will likely not have enough time to gain valuable experience associated with producing publications, writing research grant proposals and speaking at conferences. Although it may be possible to complete these within a single year, most researchers will opt for a minimum of two years for a single position. This will provide them with ample opportunity to contribute a significant amount to a project, publish a handful of papers and attend several conferences. On top of this, it will allow you to develop a deeper relationship with the students you help teach or supervise. This will prove invaluable experience should you plan on becoming a university lecturer .

How Are Postdoc Positions Funded?

Postdocs are usually funded in one of three ways:

• The postdoc secures the funding themselves . This can be achieved in several ways, with the most common being applying to opportunities put out by government, research or charity bodies. Examples of these opportunities include the  NWO Talent Programme Veni  and the  Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship . Securing funding under any of these schemes will provide you with a ‘stipend’ (which acts as your salary), and ‘’research funds’ for enabling the project. It’s worth noting that if you secure funding in this way, you won’t typically be restricted to any one university. Although when applying to these opportunities you’ll be required to indicate where you intended to undertake your research, if successful, you can take your funding and associated research project to any university or research institution of your choice.
• A Principal Investigator (PI) secures a research grant  for a project, part of which will go towards hiring one or more postdoctoral assistants. In these scenarios, the university will employ you to work on the project they gained funding for.
• A research body hires postdoctoral assistants irrespective of any new funding . In these scenarios, the researching body, who could be anyone from universities to research centres, charities and private organisations, may put aside their own funds to secure a postdoc assistant as a regular salaried employee.

What is the Average Postdoc Salary?

It goes without saying that the average salary for a postdoc will vary from role to role, with factors such as your country, your employer and your level of experience being influential factors.

If working as a university employee, your salary as a postdoc will be determined via a set pay scale known as the “ HE single pay spine “. Under this pay spine, a postdoc can expect to earn an average of £31,000 per year, though, in reality, a postdoc’s salary can range between £29,000 to £34,800.

On the other hand, the stipend (which will act as your postdoc salary) associated with the funding you have secured yourself will directly depend on the opportunity you acquire. Because of the wide range of possibilities, your potential stipend can vary considerably. As well as having a high variance, they also tend to have a higher ceiling compared to the salaries associated with a PI’s research grant or a research body’s employment. For example, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship can be worth over £50,000 per year. However, these types of fellowships are not only highly competitive but are also not an entirely fair comparison to postdoc assistant roles. This is due to the fact that a research fellow will be expected to have a greater amount of experience and to assume a higher level of responsibility than a regular postdoctoral researcher.

In case you’re thinking of working abroad, it would be useful to know that the median salary of a postdoctoral researcher in the United States is approximately $42,000 (£33,000 at the time of writing) per year.

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Q&A best bits: Life after a PhD

Martin paul eve, doctoral researcher and associate tutor, school of english, university of sussex.

Have realistic expectations: The number of PhDs vastly outnumber demand for postdocs and permanent contracts. The climate is harsh - publish or perish. Yet some of the greatest minds of the twentieth century, for instance Ludwig Wittgenstein, published extremely infrequently. I have a separate skill set as a computer programmer. I intend, when I complete, to constantly apply for academic positions and to keep researching and publishing. That said, I will probably have to fall back on my other life to support myself financially while continuing this process.

Having a clear idea of why you want a PhD will motivate and help you decide on what to do after: It is important to ask yourself: "Do I need a PhD for a specific job?" and "Do I want to do a PhD because I love the subject?". If you answer yes to only one, you could be in for a difficult journey.

Take advantage of opportunities to network outside of your discipline: Disciplines are artificial constraints that are used to validate your work against existing standards. If you stick wholly within this area, it can become a bit of an echo chamber. Twitter is an invaluable tool for finding interesting people who are outside one's usual comfort zone.

Start applying for jobs as soon as you get your viva date: A head of department told me that he receives too many applications that say they are on the verge of completing, with no evidence. Having a date for a viva specified in the application is reassurance against this.

Create a blog to support your job application: It has also been suggested that blogs written with an academic tone, properly referenced, could be cited in support of a job application. You could also include metrics from, say, Google Analytics, indicating page views and unique visitors. I certainly cited my 16,000 page views a month on a recent application.

Tennie Videler, programme manager, Vitae , an organisation set up to support postgraduate researchers and research staff.

Network to get your first post-doc post: There are also other approaches to careers, such as ' creating luck ' which mainly involves a lot of networking. You will know people in your chosen field who may know where there are posts. Supervisors are an obvious first port of call, but it is a good idea to cast the net wider. If you want to network by increasing your online profile, Vitae are running a training day on 12 May.

Get career savvy: Researchers frequently undersell themselves so one good way of getting a feeling for the skills you have already mastered is to have a look at the ' researcher development framework ' which spells out attributes of researchers and may help you explain them to potential researchers. Check out the nine attributes of a career savvy researcher . Also, see this link for some ideas on how to tell employers about your skills.

Invent their own new subject if they want an academic position: Getting a lectureship is easier if your research focus is a new or newly academic subject. For example in ' what do researchers do? ' we found that a large proportion of nursing doctoral graduates went straight into lectureships, and in many cases had been appointed before finishing or even embarking on their doctorate.

The market needs highly-skilled graduates; you just have to convince employers that you have the skills they are looking for: There are more post-doc positions in the sciences than in the arts and humanities but as the Vitae report What do researchers do? shows many have found that the experience of doing a PhD is in itself useful. So I don't think the question really is "what industries are actively looking for Eng Lit/Arts PhD students?". To an extent it is up to you to convince employers that you have the skills (to a superior level) they are looking for.

Advice for arts and humanities PhDs: Check the ASHPIT project. They describe themselves as "a collaborative, cross-institutional and discipline-specific think tank which will enhance the ability of researcher developers to deliver innovative, discipline-appropriate training and support to researchers in the arts, social sciences and humanities."

Dr Fiona Denney, head of Graduate Development, King's College London

Do not underestimate the skills you develop while studying for a PhD: In order to write a thesis of around 80,000 words and defend it in a viva, you have to have a huge range of highly developed skills that are transferable to a range of different jobs. It's not just about knowing your subject area intimately but about being able to communicate that well to a variety of people who may not all be specialists (among many other things!). It's also about resilience, tenacity, networking, teamworking, dealing with difficult people, presentation skills and so on - all at a high level. Don't forget it's not just about your academic achievements.

Speak to your careers adviser: While it may seem natural to discuss your options after your PhD with your supervisor, they are often ill-equipped to have conversations about life outside of academia as their own experiences may be limited. I talk to supervisors a lot and they usually have an expression of mixed fear and panic on their faces when I suggest that PhD students might want to discuss other career options than academia.

Deciding when to apply for post-doc jobs depends on several factors: These are: what stage of your research you're at, what your personal circumstances are and how you are funded. Clearly some students have to find a job when their funding runs out but they might not yet have finished their PhD. The general advice is not to take a full-time job before you finish your PhD, but I did and still managed to complete. There is no doubt that it makes it very difficult though.

Daniel Colegate, managing director, LinkHigher, postgraduate careers portal

Always remember how many options you have: Life after a PhD can be whatever you make it - provided you are willing to learn how to articulate the skills your PhD helped you to develop. It is easy as a PhD student, surrounded by senior academics in the academic world, to forget how transferable PhD skills are. You could get a job outside of academia or start your own business . A great place to start is to join the LinkedIn group, PhD careers outside of academia, to find out what others have gone on to.

Where to find post-doctoral posts: In the UK you can go to jobs.ac.uk for academic jobs and for non-academic jobs you need to think about which companies you want to approach. We are finding a very high demand for the transferable skills PhDs bring so trying to bring together non-academic postgraduate focused companies on LinkHigher . If you are considering moving within Europe for a research post, Euraxess promote and support researchers moving within Europe.

Use digital media to raise your profile but beware - it's a double-edged sword: Using Twitter can be a great outlet and certainly raises your profile, but because of that you do have to bear in mind that people will see it when you are searching for a job. Here are some simple tips to get started.

If you are a PhD student and want an enterprising career, Enterprise Fellowships are a good start: These fellowships help doctoral students exploit their ideas that have commercial potential

Charlotte Frost, broadcaster, academic and founder of PhD2Published, a site providing academic book publishing advice for first timers

One way to remain in academia is to set up projects for yourself: If you have ideas, take them to the heads of departments you like to work with and have a discussion about what's feasible. Obviously money is nowhere to be seen right now but if it's a good idea, and the department head likes you, then something might well be possible. It's a ridiculously difficult route and obviously you have to find the means to support yourself, but I feel that if you want to do something they you should try at least to make it happen. But don't over-promise. Apparently the worst thing you can do is look like you'll remake the world because it's glaringly obvious to the selection panel that you can't or won't!

Think what career you want: Talk to friends and family about what you've always been good at because, simple as this sounds, sometimes things pop up that you'd put to the back of your mind. I find mind-mapping tools are a great way to splurge out lots of different strands of thoughts and then see how they collect together. Once you see a trend - it might take a few maps and discussions - talk to a careers adviser about how they might be mapped onto a job profile.

Owen Gower, senior fellow, Cumberland Lodge , educational charity and a unique conference centre

Understand the perception of a PhD outside academia: It is worthwhile to know what value non-academic organisations place on a PhD. In a podcast for the Cumberland Lodge, Douglas Board, founder of the careers advice business Maslow's Attic, offers advice to early career researchers on the perception of academic researchers outside academia.

A good way to retain academic affiliation if money is not a difficulty is to apply for non-stipendary fellowships and honorary research associateships.

Dr Sarah-Louise Quinnell, PhD graduate and managing editor of the site Phd2published.com , a site providing academic book publishing advice for first timers

Research communication is just as important as actually doing the work: While you are still undertaking your PhD, learn how to market yourself and your research. It will be vital afterwards and you can feed it back into the PhD training process.

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What to expect from a phd schedule.

Take a look at a current student’s schedule and get the insider perspective from doctoral students and coordinators on what to expect from a PhD schedule.

The life of a PhD candidate can be stressful as you adjust to a rigorous academic and research schedule. Penn and Wharton offer a variety of resources to help support you in the transition to PhD life.

Wharton’s sense of community offers a level of comfort when reaching out to faculty as well as fellow students to help solve problems. Doctoral students and coordinators give the insider view on what to expect from a PhD schedule.

Class and Research First

The first two years of a PhD program are mainly made up of classes and the beginning stages of research. Deborah Small , the doctoral coordinator for the Marketing program , said, “It starts with heavy duty coursework and a lot of specific requirements. At the end of your first year, there are qualifying exams on all the core marketing courses. Second year they still have a lot of coursework to do, but more of that is elective with a focus more on their interests. During those years they’re expected to get started on research.”

In addition to taking classes and getting started with research, the Marketing program requires students to write two papers. The first research paper is due at the end of the second year, the other is due at the end of the third year.

The Real Estate and Business Economics and Public Policy programs run like the Marketing program. Fernando Ferreira , coordinator for the programs, said, “During the first year they complete six core courses. In the second year, the focus shifts to field courses and to independent research. They have two professors advising them in that year.”

After completing the main courses, students shift to conducting independent research. For REAL and BEPP students this means writing three dissertation chapters during the third and fourth years.

Time for Conferences and Seminars

Because coursework is usually completed by the second half of the program, there’s time for students to attend lectures and seminars. Andrea Contigiani , a fifth year student in the Management program, said, “In my fourth year, I usually attended a seminar around lunchtime. Wharton has an incredible seminar series throughout the year, with a good seminar happening almost everyday. Occasionally, I attended other events, like MBA events or speaker series. I then go back to research for most of the afternoon.”

Prof. Small said, “Students are expected to actively participate in seminars and activities. They’re also encouraged to go to academic conferences and try to present their work at those conferences. It is similar to the expectations of being a faculty member, minus teaching.”

Classes take up the majority of the first two years of the programs. When the focus then switches to research, you’re expected to work independently. Sometimes that can be intimidating. You become your own boss, which is an adjustment from being told what to do and when to do it.

So how do you manage it? Get advice from students and coordinators.

Posted: August 4, 2017

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Doctoral Programs

Matthew caulfield.

Hometown Ocean City, New Jersey

Concentration Management and Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Doctoral Stage Second Year

Typical Day at a Glance

8:30 am Wake up and get ready for the day

9:15 am Get to PhD Offices, respond to emails, check philosophy blogs and read news

10:30 am Journal article readings

11:30 am Meet with advisor

12:00 pm Attend departmental seminar speaker and lunch

1:30 pm Attend Wharton Social Impact Doctoral Community meeting

3:00 pm Attend business ethics seminar

5:00 pm Read for class

7:00 pm Meet with nonparametric statistics study group

8:00 pm Complete homework

12:00 am Go home

1:00 am Bedtime

What is your favorite part about Wharton?

First, the faculty are excellent. They are often leading experts in their fields, and they can offer advice that would be hard to find elsewhere.

Second, the other PhD students are just as passionate about research as you would hope. A huge part of my scholarly development has been due to the discussions I have had with other graduate students.

Third, the Wharton name can offer you serious advantages. In the course of research, I think industry practitioners as well as other academics have been more willing to talk or correspond with me because I am a graduate student at Wharton.

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Post PhD, Where Do I Go From Here?

This article focuses on a difficult time in every academic’s career: what to do post PhD.

Congratulations, you have had your viva and your PhD has been awarded, it feels as though you are at the end of a huge journey . However, it is also a time of uncertain futures. There are many paths open to you post PhD, and decisions made at this stage could shape the pattern of your life over the next thirty or forty years so it is vital to take time to consider all your options. Here are some suggestions on how to cope.

Non-Academic Options

While doing your postgraduate work perhaps you decided that going into an academic career based at a university was not for you. You might want to leave your subject and scholarly study behind forever. This doesn’t mean that the skills and knowledge you have acquired in the last seven or so years of study are irrelevant to your future.

You now have to show employers how adaptable you are. Finding a job is challenging, especially if you have gone straight through from school to postgraduate work without years out and have little actual work experience. So, you have to sell your skills by tailoring them to a particular job. You may not know it, but your PhD means that you are:

• self- driven
• a great time keeper
• able to do sustained project design and development

and that you can:

• work within a team
• communicate your ideas at a high level to your peers
• perhaps even manage small budgets

These skills are vital in the workplace of whichever industry and role you decide to go into.

You will also have an intimate knowledge of the university sector itself so do consider going into a non-academic role at universities ; there is a huge variety of these and there are several articles on this site that explain in more detail how to pursue them. However, the commercial sector is increasingly welcoming such highly educated post phd staff so, if that attracts you, then chances are you will be able to land a great job.

Teaching at your institution

If you have decided to stay in academia it can be challenging to make the transition from student to member of staff, but many scholars do find that their institution is able to offer them part-time teaching to build their experience while they find a more permanent academic position. It is a good option because you will be familiar with the department and the way things are done;  perhaps will already have teaching experience there, and so will have less to prepare initially. Because people there know you, they are more likely to help you to make up a portfolio career, for example doing some teaching while working for a permanent member of staff as a research assistant.

On the downside, staying at the same institution can be restrictive for your career. It will mean that your range of experience is narrower; you will only know how things work at that one institution and you will only have experience of teaching on a limited number of courses. It is also easy to get into a comfort zone, which is hard to get out of because it is hard to break out of familiar territory and set off on something new.

If it doesn’t look as though a more permanent and secure job is going to come up at your institution any time soon, it is worth making the break to move the next step up the career ladder.

Part-time temporary teaching elsewhere

If there are no full-time, permanent positions around then it’s worth looking for part-time work in other universities. Your supervisor can help with this because academics often contact each other looking for temporary staff to help out for short periods of time, and often these positions are not advertised publicly if they are to be hourly paid. You may have responsibility for only one unit or class but it will still allow you to present a broader CV to future employers and you will learn a great deal from working with new colleagues and seeing how administrative and management matters work at a different institution.

Taking on roles such as this one can result in practical difficulties such as travelling to and from another institution, often at some distance from your home. It can seem as though you are spending a lot of money getting this job and earning very little, but it will pay off in the end in terms of career development even though financially it may not be hugely beneficial and may actually be somewhat challenging.

Of course, if you can get a postdoctoral research fellowship somewhere this is an ideal first job: it gives you the chance to boost the research and publications side of your CV while working alongside researchers at the top of their game. It also gives you some measure of financial security, for a few years at least.

However, post-doctoral fellowships are extremely competitive, sometimes with hundreds of applicants from across the world applying for one position. Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) at Oxford and Cambridge regularly come up but these are the most difficult to get as they are the most sought after.

If you had external funding for your PhD and have had a flawless record of submitting your PhD on time, and already have some publications to your name then you have more chance of being considered. If you and your supervisor have been experts at networking then you also might stand a good chance at this stage. If the researcher seeking a postdoc knows you and your work then he or she is more likely to give the position to you than someone approaching them totally out of the blue. If you are able to travel a long way to get this position and will even consider moving overseas then this also improves your chances.

If your aim is to win a postdoc position then it’s important to have a ‘plan B’ as well. It might take you months of waiting before you do land that position.

CV building for the future

Having finished your PhD and passed the viva the last thing you want to do is immediately get down to more research. It used to be possible to take a break after your PhD before coming back to it with fresh eyes later. However, in today’s competitive climate that really isn’t the case.

You need to start work on publications and future plans straight away. Perhaps your PhD would make a great book; if so, start looking around for publishers immediately. If not, then think about breaking it down into articles or smaller reports. You also need to think about going to conferences to keep your research profile high.

Being successful at this stage of your career is all about having the drive to push forward even during times when you may be struggling financially or when permanent, secure jobs are not available. Realistically it may take you several years before you land that dream post PhD job and so don’t let those years slip by while being unproductive. Make sure you can show an employer that you have been building your CV, doing research, publishing and developing your teaching portfolio, even while maybe struggling to make ends meet.

Find your post PhD role here .

For more advice see:

• Career Planning for PhDs
• Getting your post-PhD job during COVID-19
• Turning Your PhD into a Book
• Become a Researcher – 5 Skills You Need

What did you think of our article? - please rate

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Lucie Johnston

Lucie Johnston has worked as a Careers Adviser in Higher Education since 2004 following a successful career running a graduate training scheme. She has particular interests in enterprise within industry, portfolio careers and career changers. Lucie has been published in Prospects and also writes for national features magazines as part of her own portfolio career.

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29th August 2023 at 7:19 am

I need to do Post-doc in Education. And require a job in university.

14th October 2023 at 6:41 pm

I have interesting to study a Ph.D

14th October 2023 at 6:42 pm

11th November 2023 at 8:22 pm

Dear Sir/Madam, I am a university lecturer and looking for a Post-doc fellowship in Public Health or Environmental Health or Public Health and Environmental Health Sciences at any university in the UK. I am looking also for a job at a university such as; teaching at the university.

2nd February 2024 at 1:38 am

I have interesting to work with. I have Phd in Computer Software.

18th February 2024 at 1:27 pm

I will like to start a PHD program. These articles published are really helpful. Thank you

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Teen walks at graduation after completing doctoral degree at 17

A teenager from Chicago walked in her graduation ceremony this month after earning her doctoral degree at 17.

Dorothy Jean Tillman II told " Good Morning America " that she was homeschooled in her early years before entering college at age 10.

In 2020, she said she earned a Master of Science degree, and then, one year later, at age 15, was accepted into the Doctorate of Behavioral Health Management program at Arizona State University.

In December 2023, at 17, Tillman successfully defended her dissertation to earn her doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from ASU's College of Health Solutions.

On May 6, she walked at ASU's spring commencement ceremony.

Tillman told "GMA" she has always held education in such high regard in part due to her family's background.

"People in my life like my grandmother, who was part of the Civil Rights movement, she of course harped on the importance of education and consistently learning something always," Tillman said. "But the way I always held education so high on my own, aside from being raised that way, was finding different things to be educated about."

She continued, "I feel like that urge to learn something new just never didn't exist for me."

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Dr. Lesley Manson, a clinical associate professor at ASU, told "GMA" that Tillman is the youngest person in school history to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health.

Manson said she oversaw Tillman's dissertation for the doctoral program offered through ASU Online.

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During her studies, Tillman wrote a journal article of her dissertation and completed an internship at a university student health center, according to Manson.

"She really led change and worked on different forms of management to really reduce healthcare stigma and improve that student population there to be able to enter and accept student health services," she said of Tillman. "It was wonderful to see her and help her navigate some of those personal and professional interactions and grow through those experiences."

Manson described Tillman as an "inquisitive" and "innovative" student, and emphasized just how rare it is to accomplish what she has so far.

"It's a wonderful celebration ... but this is still something so rare and unique," she said. "She has innovative ideas and motivation, which is wonderful, and truly, I think what is inspiring is that she embodies that meaning of being a true leader."

Manson said she hopes Tillman continues to inspire people with her love of learning, saying, "That curiosity is always there, and I think all learners come with that, but it's great to be able to see it in someone so young as well."

Her inspiration and how she gives back to community

Tillman said her own journey wouldn't be possible without the support of her mom, who she said is one of her biggest motivators.

"Seeing my mother consistently work so hard to continuously uphold our family's legacy, and be that person that everyone was able to go to, if they needed anything ... always seeing [her] like [a] 'wonder woman' definitely made me want to grow up [into] an accomplished person," she said.

An advocate for education, Tillman is also the founder and CEO of a leadership institute that emphasizes the arts and STEM.

"I feel like adding art and putting a focus on it throughout science, technology, engineering and math makes the kids excited to learn all those things," she said. "And it opens them up to all of the possibilities and all the knowledge provided in that area of just STEM."

'Super dad' graduates with master's while working 3 jobs

As for her plans after graduation, Tillman said she is "just like any other teenager, still figuring out what my specific dreams and goals are."

"I'm really just grateful that the world is my oyster, and that I've done so much so young," she said. "And I have time to kind of think that through."

Tillman added that she hopes young people will take away from her story that it's OK to continually figure out what you want to do in life.

"Always remember that everyone has points in their life where they feel like they're figuring it out," she said. "And so figuring things out, not knowing what you want isn't a bad thing. But making the choice not to sit down and try to figure it out is."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional quotes from Tillman since its original publish date of May 13, 2024.

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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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What To Do After You Graduate College: 10 Awesome Ideas

May 14, 2024 | Alumni , Blog

Graduating college is an exciting and daunting milestone. After years of late nights studying, endless assignments, you did it! You are now a college graduate and you’re finally ready to start the next chapter. But now the question looms…what now? The possibilities are endless for new graduates, which can make the path forward seem unclear. To help provide some inspiration, here are 10 awesome ideas for what to do after walking across that stage. 

1. Pursue a Passion Project

You finally have the flexibility to devote quality time and energy to that creative passion project you’ve been dreaming about. Whether it’s writing a novel, launching a podcast, developing an app, or some other artistic endeavor, you can now fully devote yourself in bringing your vision to life.

2. Go on a Mission Trip

Broaden your perspectives and deepen your faith by going on a short-term or long-term mission trip. These experiences provide incredible opportunities to share the Gospel while being stretched spiritually, culturally, and personally through service in communities around the globe. From teaching English to supporting humanitarian efforts to engaging in evangelism, mission trips allow you to tangibly live as a courageous ambassador for Christ.  

3. Continue Your Education

If your career goals require a specialized area of expertise, the natural next step may be to continue your academic journey by enrolling in a graduate program. An advanced education allows you to gain deeper subject knowledge and qualifications that can significantly elevate your earning potential. Plus, graduate studies often open doors to new professional prospects you may not have access to otherwise. Research programs that align with your objectives. 

4. Take Some Time Off

The transition from life as a student to joining the workforce can feel overwhelming after years of tireless studying. If you’re emotionally or mentally drained from the intensity of college, give yourself grace by taking an intentional break before determining your future direction. Use this pause to recuperate, rest, and recharge. Recharging allows you to approach life’s next phase with renewed clarity and energy.

5. Launch Your Ministry Passion

Have you felt God’s unmistakable calling to launch a specific ministry or religious initiative? Perhaps you have a vision for an innovative way to spread the Gospel. serve a particular community, or meet a spiritual need. If so, then this season after graduation may be the ideal time to step out in faithfulness and turn your God-given passion into reality. Though it requires immense courage, obediently following where God leads can unlock incredible opportunities for eternal impact. Prayerfully pursue the next steps.

6. Learn a New Skill

In today’s rapidly evolving career landscape, well-rounded professionals who are continuous learners have a competitive edge. Use this transitional period to develop a new proficiency that can increase your marketability and open up additional pathways. Possible options include learning to code, mastering digital marketing tactics, honing data analysis skills, or becoming conversant in a foreign language. Even if the skill is unrelated to your primary field of study, adding it to your repertoire demonstrates initiative, commitment to growth, and adaptability as you launch into the workforce.

7. Disciple the Next Generation

One of the most meaningful callings is to spiritually invest in the lives of young people by nurturing their relationship with Christ. Consider roles at Christian schools, campus ministries, summer camps, youth organizations, or church programs specifically focused on mentorship and discipleship. In these positions, you have the incredible opportunity to shape the spiritual journeys of kids, students, and young adults by sharing the wisdom and lessons you’ve learned while modeling an authentic faith walk. Positions may involve teaching, counseling, leading small groups or activities, and more.

8. Travel the World

Before the inevitable commitments of career and family increase, take advantage of this flexible period. After all, it’s a great time to explore the world. From weekend road trips to backpacking across Europe to volunteering overseas, immersing yourself in new cultures provides eye-opening experiences. These perspectives will shape your worldview for years to come. Additionally, traveling allows you to step outside your comfort zone. It also helps you gain independence and self-confidence, you’ll create lifelong memories and develop a deeper appreciation for humanity’s diversity.

9. Volunteer or Join a Service Program

Alternatively, giving back to communities in need through volunteering or service programs is incredibly rewarding. Organizations like AmeriCorps , Peace Corps, Samaritan’s Purse and countless non-profits offer opportunities. These allow you to donate your time and talents for society’s betterment. Furthermore, these roles let you tangibly live out your values. They also help build empathy and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, you can expand your networks and even explore different career paths. Most importantly, you’ll leave a positive impact.

10. Start Your Own Business

On the other hand, if you have an incredible business idea or an entrepreneurial spirit, after graduation is opportune. Take the leap and launch your own company or venture. Though undoubtedly challenging, entrepreneurship provides invaluable firsthand experience. This includes aspects like project management, marketing, budgeting and operations. Consequently, you’ll rapidly cultivate a diverse arsenal of versatile business skills. Even if your first venture doesn’t succeed, the process equips you with real-world competencies. These accelerate your professional development.

As you transition from college to the next phase, Grace Christian University stands ready to support you. We can help you discern your path, whether through further education, missions, ministry, entrepreneurship, or other endeavors. With a foundation rooted in faith and equipped with knowledge and skills, graduates are encouraged to trust in God’s plan. We emphasize the importance of prayerful consideration and reliance on God’s wisdom. We urge you to step boldly into the future, trusting in God’s provision in your life.

Learn more about life after Grace. 

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What to Know About COVID FLiRT Variants

Virologists are keeping an eye on several COVID variants that have all picked up the same set of mutations. Here’s what that means.

Aliza Rosen

At the end of March, the KP.2 variant was causing about 4% of infections in the U.S.,  according to the CDC , while its parental strain, JN.1, was causing over 50% of infections at that time. As of early May, KP.2 makes up about 28% of infections, overtaking JN.1 as the dominant variant.

KP.2 is one of several variants being referred to as “FLiRT variants,” named after the technical names for their mutations. The prevalence of these variants comes at a critical time, when experts are deciding how to formulate the fall COVID vaccine.

In this Q&A,  Andy Pekosz , PhD, a professor in  Molecular Microbiology and Immunology , explains what virologists like him are seeing, whether these variants might cause a summer wave of infections, and how people can protect themselves.

What are these “FLiRT variants”?

This is the term being used to describe a whole family of different variants—including KP.2, JN.1.7, and any other variants starting with KP or JN—that appear to have independently picked up the same set of mutations. This is called convergent evolution. They are all descendants of the  JN.1 variant that has been dominant in the U.S. for the past several months.

The particular mutations that people refer to as “FLiRT”s or “FLip”s refer to specific positions in the spike protein—in this case, positions 456, 346, and 572.

Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 mutate frequently, and when they mutate to evade recognition by antibodies, this often weakens their ability to bind to the cells they want to infect. We then see mutations appear that improve that binding ability. This is a cycle we have seen many times with SARS-CoV-2. The fact that these different variants are picking up the same mutations tells virologists that this combination of mutations is helping the virus accomplish these goals most efficiently.

How do these mutations help the virus bind to cells while evading antibodies?

Two of these mutations—456 and 346—eliminate binding sites for antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2. However, those same antibody binding sites are also important for the virus to bind to and enter cells. So in evading antibodies, these FLiRT variants may have also lost some ability to bind to their receptor. At the same time, the 572 mutation appears to allow the virus to more tightly bind to cells and ultimately cause an infection.

Do people who recently had COVID have any protection against infection from FLiRT variants?

A JN.1 infection should provide pretty strong protection against all the FLiRT variants. The difference between JN.1 and these variants is only one or two amino acid changes, so there are still a lot of other places antibodies can bind to. Infection from a variant older than JN.1 is less likely to offer as much protection.

Do we know yet how well the current COVID-19 vaccines work against the FLiRT variants?

Against JN.1, the vaccine designed around XBB.1.5 does generate some cross-reactive antibodies. Studies have not been yet done with some of these newer variants, but those are likely to be a little less cross-reactive. It’s also been several months since many people received their last dose of the vaccine, and that immunity wanes over time.

Back in February, the CDC recommended  an additional dose of the current COVID vaccine for adults 65 and older who received theirs in the fall. There is a question now of what the guidance will be going into the summer. We’ve seen fairly low uptake of these additional boosters when they’re recommended, even in high risk populations, so it’s unclear whether a third dose of the current vaccine will be recommended. If case numbers remain relatively low, it may not be necessary.

Should we anticipate these variants to drive a surge in cases this summer?

It’s certainly possible. The FLiRT variants would be high on my list of viruses that could cause another wave of infections in the U.S. That said, our definition of a wave has changed; while we still see case rates rise and fall throughout the year, we see much lower numbers of cases of hospitalizations or deaths than we saw in the first couple years of the pandemic.

And yet, while these waves are becoming smaller, they are still having the greatest impact on our susceptible populations: the elderly, people who are immunocompromised and those with other secondary medical conditions. Everyone can play a role in protecting those populations that remain the highest-risk when new variants cause an uptick in cases.

How might these variants impact plans for the COVID vaccine formula that gets updated for the fall?

This is the time of year when governing bodies like the WHO and FDA recommend a formulation for updated COVID vaccines that will roll out in early fall. Last year, the  vaccines were based on the XBB.1.5 variant , and only a few months later, the  JN.1 variant became the dominant variant in the U.S.

At the end of April, the  WHO announced that their COVID vaccine advisory group advises using the JN.1 lineage as the antigen for the upcoming formulations of the vaccine. All of these FLiRT variants are within the JN.1 family of variants.

Here in the U.S.,  the FDA has postponed its meeting to determine the fall 2024 COVID vaccine from mid-May to early June. That gives them more time to see which of the FLiRT variants is becoming the dominant one so they can fine-tune the WHO recommendation to what they anticipate will be most prominent in the fall.

New COVID variants are likely to crop up after a decision is made— just as it did last summer —but the goal remains to select a formulation that, come fall, will match the circulating variants as closely as possible.

What are the usual symptoms and transmission timeline for FLiRT variants?

When it comes to symptoms, we’re not seeing anything new or different with these variants. We continue to see more mild disease, but that’s likely not because the virus is milder, but because our immunity is so much stronger now. After years of vaccinations and infections, most of the population is better able to fight off an infection without as much concern for severe disease.

The period of infectiousness for these FLiRT variants remains the same as with JN.1 and previous omicron variants: After exposure, it may take five or more days before you develop symptoms, though symptoms may appear sooner. You are contagious one to two days before you experience symptoms and a few days after symptoms subside. And as with previous variants, some people may have detectable live virus for up to a week after their symptoms begin, and some may experience  rebound symptoms .

At-home testing remains a really important tool for knowing whether you could potentially infect others.

Are antivirals like Paxlovid effective against FLiRT variants? 

Yes, the good news is that  Paxlovid is still recommended for high risk individuals . It still works against variants up to JN.1, and based on the sequencing of the FLiRT variants, they should still be susceptible to Paxlovid, as well as to antiviral drugs like molnupiravir and remdesivir. The companies that produce these drugs are always testing them against new variants to ensure they continue to be effective.

How can people protect themselves and their loved ones as we head into summer?

As with any respiratory virus, even when case rates nationally are low, it’s common to see infections increase in one area of the country but not another. Keep an eye on case rates in your region or anywhere you plan to travel, to know whether you should take additional precautions, like wearing a mask or gathering in well-ventilated areas. Some local health departments report on virus levels in wastewater, which can signal an upcoming rise in cases. This is particularly helpful as people experience more mild illness; those cases may not require hospitalization, but they’ll still be detected in wastewater data.

It’s always a good idea to keep a few COVID tests around the house in case you start to  feel sick. Testing—whether at home or in a health care setting—will make sure you know what you're infected with, which can inform the best treatment plan if you are in a high risk group or your symptoms progress to more severe illness.

If you do feel sick, follow the CDC’s  simplified guidance for respiratory illnesses . This is especially important if you plan to spend time with friends or family who are at higher risk of severe illness.

Aliza Rosen is a digital content strategist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• Understanding the CDC’s Updated COVID Isolation Guidance
• COVID Rebound Can Happen Whether or Not You Take Paxlovid
• More Americans Could Benefit from Paxlovid for COVID Infection

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As someone who left an abusive relationship, I was asked many questions. Here's what helps, and what doesn't

Analysis As someone who left an abusive relationship, I was asked many questions. Here's what helps, and what doesn't

As Australia grapples with the rate of women dying at the hands of an intimate partner, you might wonder if you know someone who has experienced abuse in a relationship.

But for me, the more important question is — do you know what you would say to them, if they shared their story with you?

As someone who has left an abusive relationship, I suspect you don't.

In the wake of telling my story to well-meaning friends and family, I was met with a variety of responses.

Some of them were echoes of what we've heard before, such as "why didn't you leave?"

While that may have once been a common phrase, we are now far better educated — we know that it is very difficult for people to leave abusive relationships, and in some cases, attempting to do so can be fatal.

Other questions were less accusatory, but still caused me pain — "why didn't you call me?" and "how did it happen?" among them.

However good the intention, these questions can often make the guilt and shame more palpable, and force you to once again question your own actions and responses to the abuse.

As the country reckons with its rates of gender-based violence, we have been encouraging women to tell their stories, and to reach out for help.

What to say when you are on the other side of that conversation is talked about less, but it is something we need to address.

Everyone's different, and I don't have all the answers.

But I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help you know what to say.

The constant feeling of shame and regret

It took me a long time to leave my abusive relationship and by the time I did, my self-confidence was low.

I had friends and family who I loved but I'd pulled back, I'd withdrawn. I had children who loved their dad.

My constant pals were fear, sadness, shame, and regret.

The shame and regret are still with me; the others come and go.

I constantly feel guilty that I stayed for as long as I did, and shame about what my children experienced during that time.

The psychologist I see specialises in trauma, and I have been told that these feelings are common for people going through abusive relationships.

So when my closest friends and family asked those questions, with the best of intentions, I was quick to feel that guilt and regret all over again.

Even questions like "why did he do that?" and "how long has it been going on?" could bring it back up again.

The message I hear implied in these questions is that I could have or should have, seen it coming.

That I should have left sooner and got help.

But what I've come to realise is that people are asking these questions because they want to understand it and why it happened.

And why it's happened to someone they thought they knew, a couple or a family they'd admired.

The shattering of that illusion can be hard.

Then there are the questions women face from the police, the courts, the lawyers, from Legal Aid.

Their questions are more clinical, less emotional. They get straight to the point.

"Where is he now?"

"What happened?"

"Do you want to take this further?"

"Can you stay with friends or family for a while?"

The challenge of navigating the court system

Here is what I've learnt as an ABC journalist, as someone who speaks and asks questions for a living, and as someone who knows how to use language and who has a good support network.

It's really hard to speak up.

It becomes real. And you become a victim or a survivor — both terms that I don't relate to, that I'm uncomfortable using.

It's hard to admit that the relationship you built up is damaged, broken, and dangerous.

You soon realise the police aren't always going to come when you call, that they might tell you not to worry, that he probably won't come back.

You have to know what to say to get them there. You have to tell them to come, to take a statement, to make an incident number.

This sort of conversation seems easy to approach if you are not traumatised, living in fear. In that state of mind, every conversation becomes difficult to navigate.

And once your case progresses, the court system is cold and impersonal.

You have to be able to advocate for yourself, to hold in your emotions.

Getting a protection order is not easy.

You get a ticket, you fill out a form like you are applying for a driver's licence, while you sit surrounded by other shattered, broken people.

You sit outside a courtroom and wait to be called.

Then you are sat before a judge, where you swear to tell the truth.

And then you recount your whole sorry tale. Again.

You try to remember everything. The judge asks you questions you're not sure you have the answers to.

'It's unclear what a legal win looks like'

It is strange hearing your story matched to a precedent, to previous cases that have passed through, and to hear it validated in a court of law.

To realise other women and children have been here before and one will come in straight after you.

Then the judge explains the police will serve a protection order.

This can take some time — sometimes the person who abused you has fled or gone underground.

This is when you are told to lay low — the order isn't valid until it's served.

I wasn't prepared for what happens next — proving you are telling the truth and, in a way, negotiating your freedom.

Weeks later you return to the court and, depending on where this is, you'll probably have to walk through the same metal detectors and wait in the same foyer as the person who is accused of the violence.

The person with whom you once shared a life. A person you probably never thought you'd cower from behind a pillar in a court foyer.

In my case, the parties were led to separate rooms with their lawyers.

Some people can afford to pay a lawyer, some are represented by Legal Aid. Others are alone.

A court-appointed mediator goes between the two rooms to help the parties come to an agreement, like it's a property or contract negotiation.

And so begins the cycle of orders.

It's unclear what a legal win looks like.

Supporting a friend can take different forms

You leave the courthouse and so begins a new cycle of questions from family and friends.

"What now?"

"What happens if he breaks the order?"

"Should you get a dog?"

"Do you have security cameras?"

There's also the heart-breaking question from children: "Do I have to see daddy again?"

Once again, all of these are natural questions to ask in such a situation. They come from the best place, a place of caring and concern.

But I hope that by sharing my story, I can contribute to the calls for change we are hearing from so many corners.

Calls for police who are trained to understand when they need to stop by, and that they need to act to prevent more violence.

Support services that don't have long waiting lists and that are trauma-informed.

In the meantime, I urge you to consider asking other questions when confronted by the horror of a loved one who has been abused.

They are questions that may help you achieve more quickly what you're hoping for.

"Is there anything you need?"

"What can I do to help you feel safe?"

Or perhaps there's no question needed at all — just a hug, or a casserole left at the door, or a joke to make them smile.

The author of this article is an ABC journalist but has chosen to be anonymous to protect herself and her family.

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• Domestic Violence

'American Idol' recap: Emmy Russell and Triston Harper are sent home, revealing the Top 3

The " American Idol " Season 22 contestant pool is officially down to its Top 3.

With the "Idol" champion's crowning only a week away, on Sunday night it was time to whittle down the finalists in the penultimate audience vote. Graciously, the Disney-owned network also let the Top 5 have some family fun at the Walt Disney Resort with their moms and provide some additional free advertising for the House of Mouse before they were potentially sent home.

Yes, we've made it to Disney week, and the five finalists sang songs from the Disney, Pixar and Marvel repertoire of original and licensed music to create some brand synergy and make viewers nostalgic about the movies they couldn't stop re-watching as children. Judges Lionel Richie ,  Katy Perry  and  Luke Bryan  also got in on the fun, with the ever-theatrical Perry in full Cinderella get-up, Gus Gus accompaniment and all.

Abi Carter , Emmy Russell , Jack Blocker , Triston Harper and Will Moseley took the stage with two songs each to convince America to take them to the top three, and as the two-hour episode concluded two beloved contestants were sent home.

Here's what everyone performed and who was eliminated in Episode 17.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

What happened last week? Top 7 singer makes Katy Perry 'scared for my job,' and two more go home

Which Disney songs did the 'American Idol' Top 5 sing?

• Abi Carter : "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid" and "The Chain" from "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
• Emmy Russell : "The Climb" from "Hannah Montana: The Movie" and "Carried Me with You" from "Onward"
• Jack Blocker : "Nobody’s Fool" from "Cars 2" and "Space Oddity" from "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"
• Triston Harper : "Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog" and "Life is a Highway" from "Cars"
• Will Moseley : "Ballad of a Lonesome Cowboy" from "Toy Story 4" and "Born to Be Wild" "D3: The Mighty Ducks"

Who was eliminated from 'American Idol'?

The charming Triston Harper winked and boot-scooted, and fan favorite Emmy Russell made a valiant effort with her stage presence, but neither earned enough votes to stay in the competition.

'I look them up on Instagram': Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan spill show secrets

Who's in the 'American Idol' 2024 Top 3?

• Will Moseley
• Jack Blocker