Your PhD: Who employs PhDs

Don’t just think of major household names and multinationals. Large firms often outsource much of their work, so investigate small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who employ technical specialists, consultants and people who can provide a service.

General sources of employers

• Your contacts are a key resource for discovering suitable employers, especially if you want to be a research specialist or are looking to change career.
• Specialist websites which include jobs for PhDs - see contacts and resources for details.
• Careers services receive recruitment information from major and local employers which is usually accessible on their websites.
• General recruitment information on firms’ websites can be helpful. If the information seems to be for new graduates, it still pays to check it out. Employers usually welcome applications from PhDs even if they don’t explicitly say so.
• Vitae organises careers fairs for PhDs and other useful events may be arranged by your careers service, your department, a professional association or a commercial organisation. Fairs, presentations, courses and workshops are a great chance to talk to employers directly. Do your preparation and ask pertinent questions to make a strong impression. This is also a chance to test their attitude towards PhD holders. For a list of forthcoming careers fairs in your region or specialist area, refer to careers fairs.
• Business directories provide a lot of clues. Turn detective and think which types of products or services may use your area of knowledge. Refer to business directories such as Kompass, available in reference libraries and online. They won’t tell you whether an employer is recruiting but will alert you to potential employers you may have been unaware of.

Employers in your research field or a specific location

• Use contacts made through people in your department and at conferences to look for appropriate employers in your research field.
• Many professional bodies and trade associations hold membership lists available to the public on their websites. Some offer local networks, regional meetings and events, which can be an excellent way to make contacts in your field. Investigate whether they operate low cost ‘student membership’ and get networking!
• Internet news groups or mailing lists for your subject often have links to pages of jobs and employers in your subject.
• Your university library will have resources for researching employers. There are many directories and databases of who is researching, publishing, patenting or doing anything newsworthy in your subject area.
• If you are considering working in a specific location, check to find local employer information at Business Link. Local public libraries may also hold chambers of commerce and business directories containing employers’ contact details.
• Careers services may publish directories of local employers.
• If you are looking for a job using your specialism in a fast-moving commercial environment with a growing organisation, consider local science or business parks. Information on science parks is available from the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) and on technical contract research from the Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations (AIRTO). Your PhD may be ideal technically but you must demonstrate awareness of the commercial and operational aspects of the business.

	Written by higher education careers professionals	Date:  Spring 2008
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