PhD Course - Doctor of Philosophy Career Opportunities

PhD course prepare graduates for a variety of roles such as Researcher, Business Consultant, Strategy Agent, and so on. However, PhD jobs are mainly determined by the candidate's skills and field of study. PhD, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy, can lead to some of the highest-paying jobs in every industry and country. PhD graduates in the academic sector, can work as Research Assistants, Assistant Professors, and Scientific Writers/Editors. PhD candidates are employed by a variety of industries, including academic institutions/universities, both privately funded and government institutions. They can also work in government offices as Policy Analysts or Data Scientists.

By securing grants and funding, students can also conduct additional research in their chosen fields of expertise and interest. Both Research Fellowships and Postdoctoral Research are options available to them. They can gain more experience this way. PhD salary typically ranges between INR 6 LPA and INR 20 LPA. However, the individual's experience, skills, area of specialisation, and the city in which they work all affect their PhD salary. Candidates with higher education can find better-paying jobs both in India and abroad. 

Here are some highlights of PhD jobs that are available to candidates:

In terms of job opportunities, earning a doctorate in the chosen field of specialisation opens many doors for the candidates. The opportunities have grown significantly over time. PhD holders choose whether to pursue entrepreneurship, gain experience, and then return to academia, where their knowledge and skills can be used to great advantage. Candidates can choose from the PhD job profiles listed below, along with their descriptions. 

PhD graduates work not only in the private sector, but also in government. Candidates with a doctorate degree have numerous options, including chemical or pharmaceutical companies, the oil and gas industry, the research industry, NGOs, and so on. Salary structures differ in both the private and public sectors. Some of the top job profiles in the private and public sectors are discussed below.

PhD Jobs in Private Sector 

Specialisation is required for jobs in the private sector. PhD candidates have numerous opportunities in the private sector because they are employed in almost all sectors, but their recruitment is dependent on their area of specialisation. Private sector top recruiters include Deloitte, Infosys, Google, Microsoft, private universities, and others. The average salary is approximately INR 6.20 LPA. Some of the most popular job profiles are listed below for your convenience.

PhD Jobs in Government Sector

For PhD candidates, the government sector offers a wide range of opportunities, and the pay structure is also competitive with that of the private sector. Candidates may find work at government institutions such as government universities, Defence Research and Development Organisations, Hindustan Petroleum, GAIL, SAIL, etc. In the public sector, a PhD candidate makes an average salary of about INR 6.50 LPA. Some of the top job profiles in India's government sector are listed in the table below. 

The specialisation in which candidates have completed their doctoral studies also affects their PhD job options. Numerous specialisations, including PhDs in Management, PhD in Arts, PhD in Engineering, PhD in Medicine, and PhD in Legal Studies, are available with various job profiles. Let's talk about the PhD job profiles based on specialisation. 

Jobs after PhD in Computer Science 

There are numerous career options available for those with a PhD in Computer Science, including Software Engineer, Application Developer, Application Analyst, and many more. The following list includes some of the top Computer Science job positions:

Jobs after PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Chemistry candidates have a wide range of options to investigate, including working for industries, forensic labs, food packaging companies, etc. The table below includes some of the top PhD Chemistry profiles.

Jobs after PhD Legal Studies

This course provides numerous career options in the public and private sectors, including Law, the Judiciary, Teaching, etc. Below are some of the top PhD Legal Studies job profiles for your reference.

Jobs after PhD in Economics

The main topics covered in this PhD in Economics programme include Business Economics, Banking Economics, Agricultural Economics, and Financial Economics. Bank of India, Bharat Petroleum, Goldman Sachs, and others are some of the top employers looking for PhD economics candidates. Below are some of the PhD in Economics top profiles for your reference.

PhD is one of the highest academic degrees in the country. It is usually pursued in specialised subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Economics, etc. Career opportunities after a PhD can be found in numerous sectors such as Academic institutions, the government sector, the pharmaceutical industry, etc. 

We have given a list of the industries in both the private and the public sectors which hire candidates after their PhD: 

• Academic Institutions 
• Consulting Firms
• Government and Public Sector
• Information Technology and Software
• Research and Development Organizations
• Healthcare and Medical Research
• Manufacturing and Engineering
• Financial Services and Analytics
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Even though a PhD is one of the highest academic courses an individual can pursue, there are several academic courses available to candidates after completing their PhD. A PhD can provide candidates multiple opportunities in academia. 

Students can pursue several academic courses after completing their PhD Some of the most common paths are pursuing Postdoctoral Research and Research Fellowship which allows them to sharpen their skills before entering the work field.

Here is a list of top academic opportunities after PhD :

1. Postdoctoral Research: Many PhD grads pursue postdoctoral research positions in order to broaden their research knowledge, obtain more experience, and publish more research papers. Usually, universities, research institutions, and industry R&D facilities offer postdoctoral opportunities.
2. Research Fellowships: In India, a number of national and International research fellowships are offered. These grants give you the resources and freedom to pursue your research interests.

Candidates with a PhD degree are often sought after by various sectors and industries in the country. Here is a list of a few sectors along with the companies or organisations which hire them: 

Academic Institutions 

Most students after completing their PhD opt to work in academic institutions as Research Associates, Lecturers, Research Scientists, and Academic Professors. 

Here is a list of esteemed institutions candidates can apply to:

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)
• Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
• Indian Institutes of Science (IISc)

IT Sector 

Career opportunities after PhD can also be found in the IT sector, particularly in Research and Development specialized roles. They can be hired as Software Engineer, Computer Engineers,  Research Analysts, Technology Consultants, etc.  

Here is a list of companies that hire PhD holders:  

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Infosys, Wipro
• Microsoft Research India 

Consulting Firms 

Consulting firms in the private sector hire candidates on the basis of their PhD specialisation. They can be hired for the job roles of Data Analysts and Policy Scientists.

Companies that hire are: 

• McKinsey & Company
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
• Accenture