PhD Career Scope: Jobs, Placements, Salary 2024, Top Recruiters/Companies

According to the report published by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, India produces more than 20,000 PhD scholars every year. Another report based on the AISHE states that there has been a rise in the number of PhD degrees awarded by 60% between 2014-19. PhD is a popular choice and there has been a constant rush to pursue this course due to the better career opportunities and status it offers. Candidates can venture into various fields such as academia, research, consultancy after completing PhD. They learn various research techniques and provide solutions to existing problems in a particular research area.

Why Choose PhD?

PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is one of the highest attainable degree in any field of study which is awarded for research and academic pursuits. This course is for a period of three years and can be extended for a maximum period of six years. It can be pursued either in full-time or part-time mode but PhD in distance mode is prohibited as per the UGC guidelines. PhD is no less than a commitment to spend many years into researching on a particular area of study. Furthermore, it requires great patience, hard work and an ability to think creatively. PhD requires unique contribution to the literature which has not been done earlier. This makes PhD extremely popular even amongst working professionals who wish to upgrade their skills. PhD can be pursued in various subjects related to Engineering, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences etc.

Also Read: PhD Overview

Specialisation in PhD

PhD can be pursued under various specialisations in fields such as Social Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences. Some of the specialisations include:

• PhD in Natural Science: It is offered under various sub-disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Astrophysics etc. The programme revolves around two components: experimentation and recording the observations in a thesis.
• PhD in Commerce and Business Management: It is offered under sub-disciplines such as Commerce, Banking, Finance, Accountancy, Business Management, Labour Relations etc.
• PhD in Life Sciences: It is offered under sub-disciplines such as Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture etc.
• PhD in Social Sciences: It is related to sub-disciplines such as Geography, Sociology, History, Public Administration etc. Research deals with contribution to the existing literature and solving policy-related problems.
• PhD in Engineering and Technology: It deals with various branches of engineering and other allied fields such as Food Technology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology etc. The researcher conducts experimentations with the application of scientific methods and creates novel materials for human-use. Many colleges offer integrated M. Tech-Ph. D or MS- PhD courses which is a five-year course.

Read More: Top Entrance Exams for PhD

Top Careers in PhD

Earlier it was considered that the only career option after pursuing PhD is to enter into academics. Therefore, many professionals from industry never pursued either a master’s or doctorate degree. But with changing times and current employment scenario, doctorates are hired across various domains, even beyond academics. It’s versatility and cost-benefit value makes it a unique degree which is pursued even by those who have entered the industry. Even though a majority of academicians or researchers do possess a PhD, it is not necessary that every doctoral candidate enters academia after finishing the degree.

Some of the job opportunities one can grab after completing doctoral programme are as follows:

• Academics: Academics is one of the most typical career choice which is pursued by candidates who have completed doctoral programme. After completing higher education, candidates can enter into higher secondary or university teaching. The candidates are driven by a passion to study their subject in Master’s as well as doctoral level. In fact, PhD is an indispensable qualification for becoming an academic in India. It involves teaching assignments, lectures and seminars and various other administrative work related to the university.
• Consultancy: Various consultancy firms such as BCG, IBM, PwC, McKinsey Company, Bain and Company used to hire postgraduates such as MBAs or MTech as consultants. Nowadays, they are hiring doctorates who possess in-depth knowledge and technical background on the relevant area of study.
• Research and Development: Research in the concerned area of study is one of the major outcomes of PhD, wherein candidates engage in writing research papers or books and publishing papers in journals. They make scientific publications and contribute to the field of study. They hold key positions in various research departments in educational and research institutions.
• Industrial Laboratories: One of the most popular career choices after pursuing PhD is a job in Industrial Research and Development Laboratory. They engage in critical research activities related to drug development or novel product development. R&D labs offer higher salary to professionals with advanced skills and good command over the technical know-how.
• Mentorship: Many professionals who possess a PhD also work as mentors to various start-ups or other research organisations. They possess strong academic background and command over the technical knowledge of the subject. They advise on product development or business strategy and influence critical decisions of the institutes.
• Government Sector and Public Administration: Many government departments working in the field of public administration hire consultants or researchers or fellows who possess demonstrated experience in fields such as Water Conservation, Land Conservation, Agriculture, Military etc.

Career Scope with PhD in India

The popularity of PhD has increased manifolds which is visible by the increased number of enrolments every year. Candidates who wish to pursue PhD must clear a Research Entrance Test conducted by the concerned university or clear any state-level or national-level Research Test such as CSIR NET/UGC NET/GATE/JEST. PhD can be either self-funded or funded through any organisation under any fellowship. There are vast opportunities in India after completing PhD such as:

• Professor/Associate Professor: After completing PhD and possessing teaching experience of 5-10 years, one can work as an Assistant/Associate Professor across various universities. Desirous applicants must also possess research and teaching skills as well as published papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Consultant: Candidates who have completed PhD can work as consultants across various fields such as Business Management, Investment, Banking, Finance, Business Strategy, Product Development etc. They leverage their expertise and technical knowledge for critical decision making.
• Research Associate: Many professionals who possess PhD and relevant years of experience are hired as Research Associates across various government and not-for-profit research organisations. They contribute to the policy research and suggest measures for smooth functioning of the department or administration.
• Drug Developer: Drug Development or Industrial Research organisations also attract professionals who have completed PhD in their relevant field of study. Candidates from backgrounds such as Genetics, Molecular Medicine, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Life Sciences are hired in the drug development team.

Also Read: Syllabus for PhD

PhD Opportunities outside India

The recent trends also suggest that a majority of Indian students are enrolling in foreign institutions for doctoral or post-doctoral programmes. There are abundant opportunities outside India in the field of research and training. Many private organisations offer scholarships and fellowships to meritorious candidates who wish to pursue research from foreign institutions. Even the Government of India offers various scholarships in joint collaboration with various countries.

Average Salaries Based on Job Positions

The average salary offered to various job profiles depends on a number of years of experience and strong command over skills. It majorly depends on the research experience and contribution to the development and advancement of the field of study.

Top Recruiters for PhD Professionals

Some of the top recruiters of PhDs in India along with the associated job profiles include educational institutions (private or government), research institutions, consultancies, private companies, think-tanks.

Some of the top government research bodies hiring professionals with a PhD include:

• Central Forest Research Institute
• National Dairy Research Institute
• Indian Meteorological Observatory
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• Archaeological Survey of India
• Central Mining Research Institute

Some of the popular think-tanks hiring professionals having doctorate degree include:

• Centre for Asian Strategic Studies-India
• Centre for Civil Society
• Centre for Policy Research
• Centre for Science and Environment
• Council On Energy, Environment and Water
• PRS Legislative Research
• World Resources Institute India

Other recruiters include:

• Central and State Government - Professors, Public Prosecutors, Computer Engineers, Researchers, etc.
• Private Educational Institutes - Professors, Researchers, Counsellors, Administrators, etc.
• MNCs - Corporate Lawyers, Engineers, Counsellors, Researchers, etc.

Top Colleges for PhD

One of the major factors considered before deciding the college to pursue PhD is the availability of research facilities and guidance in the college. Some of the popular colleges for PhD courses are as follows:

Read More: Top Colleges for PhD

How to get Job After PhD?

After completing PhD, candidates can either apply for academic positions in top colleges and universities through open recruitment process. They can also apply for various scholarships or fellowships offered by government departments or private research organisations. Many professionals acquire academic experience and pursue post-doctoral research in reputed organisations. Candidates must demonstrate excellent problem solving and management skills and must think out-of-the box to produce results. They can also produce scholarly articles and contribute to the field of research.

Top Indian cities for lucrative jobs after completing PhD?

After completing PhD, one can find multiple job opportunities across various cities in India. Many top research organisations such as DRDO, ISRO, ICAR, ASI etc. are located in metro cities. They offer good remuneration and exposure to other allied research and academic organisations.

The below-mentioned table provides information about the average annual salary offered across various domains in different metro cities of India.