NPO advises Ph.D holders on alternative career pursuits

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Despite their academic credentials, many Ph.D. holders in science suffer from high levels of unemployment and live unstable lives. Many of them are applying their academic knowledge in professions and work environments unrelated to their research.

Based on this idea, a nonprofit organization comprising young researchers, Science Communication (SciCom) Japan, is providing online questionnaires to doctoral graduates who are already in nonscientific careers.

The questionnaires ask respondents how they use their knowledge in careers other than their research fields and what they wish they had known before pursuing their degrees. The answers are expected to advise young scientists who are, or are going to, pursue the same academic career.

Only 66 percent of science doctoral graduates were expected to have been employed this spring, down three percentage points from last spring. Employment rates within the private sector remain low.

SciCom Chairman Shin Yamamoto, 38, is a Ph.D. holder and currently works in a pharmaceutical company's sales promotion department.

"I believe there are many jobs where Ph.D holders can use their scientific knowledge and experience," Yamamoto said.

For details about the questionnaire go to http://scicom-carrier.heteml.jp/whats-new/post-17.html.