PHD EMPLOYMENT DATA BOOK 2020

PHD EMPLOYMENT - DATA BOOK 2020
DATA BOOK 2020
1

PHD EMPLOYMENT DATA BOOK 2020
FOREWORD 5
SURVEY METHODOLOGY 7
PHD EMPLOYMENT 8
Ph.D employment: 1-2 years after 10
University and research sector 12
Private sector
14
Sector comparison
16
FOCUS BY AREA 18
Architecture 20
Design
24
Engineering
28
TREND ANALYSIS 34
Employment rate and salary
In detail
A gender view
36
38
40
WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
Ph.D and MSc graduates: a comparison 44
42

For many years in Italy and abroad, the Ph.D degree was seen only as the main gateway to join academic
research, but the real picture is quickly evolving. The change is triggered by the increasing awareness of the
industrial companies regarding the key role that innovation and research play in every economical sector. In
parallel, the academic institutions have performed a deep rethinking of the doctoral careers. This process is
clearly expressed by the Seven Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training, stated in 2011 by EU European
Research Area: doctoral careers must strive for research excellence, should benefit from attractive institutional
environments, be open to interdisciplinary research, allow for exposure to industry and other relevant
employment sectors, ensure international networking, provide transferable skills training, and enforce a quality
assurance of the whole process.
To monitor the evolution of our own doctoral education, Politecnico di Milano has implemented an employment
survey that is conducted every other year since 2016. This Book provides a detailed summary of the 2019-
2020 survey, focused on the Ph.Ds who graduated at Politecnico di Milano in 2017 and 2018. In it, you will
find a number of interesting results. To name just a few: up to 97% of our graduates are employed, out of which
over 50% found their job already before defending their Ph.D thesis; moreover, 43% of them are employed
in the private sector. We’re also glad to observe that the gender gap (the difference between female and male
graduates’ first stipend) is progressively closing: in the last two years it has been reduced by the 25-40%,
depending on the research topic.
As Dean of the Ph.D School I am specifically satisfied to observe that the great majority of our graduates declare
that they would go through our program again. At the Politecnico di Milano we indeed believe in the Ph.D School
as the main place where future researchers and innovators are nurtured. Their development and careers are
important to us and, for this reason, we will monitor their employment outcomes even 5 years from the end of
their studies.
I wish to thank both the companies who have chosen to invest in hiring a young Ph.D graduate and the Ph.D
graduates themselves, for answering our survey so numerously and for being, in fact, agents of innovation and
important connectors between universities and companies. Finally, my warmest thanks go to our Career Service,
the Politecnico di Milano unit that provides a continuous bridge between our institution and the companies
working around and with us. The individual placement programme they offer to each and every Ph.D candidate at
Politecnico di Milano is at the basis of many of the positive placement outcomes of their Ph.D careers. Last but
not least, they took care of conducting the employment survey here presented, and produced this very useful
Book.
Paolo Biscari
Dean, Ph.D School
Politecnico di Milano
4
5

SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Every two years Politecnico di Milano carries out an employment survey on Ph.D graduates respectively one
and two years after degree completion, in order to verify the effectiveness of their educational path in the
world of work and to address the right professional guidance purposes.
The present survey was conducted between the end of December 2019 and the beginning of January 2020
through mixed methodology (CAWI: online and CATI: phone). The Ph.Ds were asked to answer a multiple
-choice survey of about 20 questions.
Employement Survey on Ph.D
graduates 1-2 years after
degree completion
CAWI: online
CATI: by phone
20 QUESTION
SURVEY
ITALIAN
SAMPLE: PHD CLASS OF 2017/2018
INTERNATIONAL
455
Obtained their Ph.D in the two-year period
189
314
Answered the survey
94
69%
Response rate
50%
6
7

PHD EMPLOYMENT

PHD EMPLOYMENT: 1-2 YEARS AFTER
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
97% EMPLOYED*
*
Almost all Ph.Ds interviewed were employed within 1-2 years from degree
completion (97%) and over 50% were already working before the end of
the Ph.D program. The main job market is Italy, while 30% chose to go
abroad. Ph.Ds find their first employment in both the university sector
and the private sector (52% against 43%). 90% of the sample hold an
employment contract, while 10% are self-employed.
51%
WERE EMPLOYED BEFORE
DEGREE COMPLETION
90%
ARE EMPLOYEES
31% ABROAD
They go abroad:
ITALY
69%
WHERE DO
THEY WORK?
For a better salary 51%
For a lack of opportunities at home 48%
For better career prospects 44%
27%
FOUND A JOB IN LESS
THAN ONE MONTH
IN WHICH SECTOR?
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND NON
PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
5%
52% 43%
* PERCENTAGE CALCULATED ON THE ACTIVE POPULATION (EMPLOYED + UNEMPLOYED
IN SEARCH OF A NEW OR FIRST EMPLOYMENT)
10
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
11
PRIVATE SECTOR

PHD EMPLOYMENT: UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH SECTOR
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
52% 43%
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE SECTOR P.A.
5%
Politecnico di Milano is the main employer for those who work in universities and
research bodies (43%). Contracts in the university sector are less stable than the
private sector, although salaries reach 2,000 net euros per month. Satisfaction is
very high: 80% of Ph.Ds employed in universities and research institutes would enrol
in the program again; 92% say that their degree is necessary to perform their job.
39%
43%
WORK AT POLITECNICO
9%
80%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN
RESEARCH /
POST-DOC GRANT
34%
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
PROJECT - BASED
18%
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH
THEIR STUDIES
94%
FIXED-TERM
€2,006
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
PERMANENT
92%
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES
A PHD
12
13

PHD EMPLOYMENT: PRIVATE SECTOR
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
52% 43%
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE SECTOR P.A.
5%
The private sector offers stable contracts (91% hired permanently) and good salaries
to new Ph.Ds (monthly 200 euros more than in Research and University sector).
They tend to find employment either in small companies (42%) or big multinationals
(42%). Ph.D graduates are satisfied with their studies (72%), although only 30%
declare that a Ph.D is necessary for their job.
COMPANY SIZE
* (N° EMPLOYEES)
42%
(1-250*)
16%
(251-1.000*)
42%
(+ 1.000*)
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
€2,201
91%
PERMANENT
9%
FIXED-TERM
APPRENTICESHIP
PROJECT - BASED
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
72%
32%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH
THEIR STUDIES
87%
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES
A PHD
14
15

PHD EMPLOYMENT: SECTOR COMPARISON
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
52%
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH
INSTITUTES
43%
PRIVATE SECTOR
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
39%
POST-DOC
RESEARCH /
GRANT
34%
FIXED
- TERM
91% PERMANENT
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
€2,006
€2,201
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO
THEIR PHD AGAIN
80%
72%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO
THEIR PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS
WITH THEIR STUDIES
94%
87%
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS
WITH THEIR STUDIES
HAVE A JOB THAT
REQUIRES A PHD
92%
32%
HAVE A JOB THAT
REQUIRES A PHD
16
17

FOCUS BY AREA
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
ENGINEERING

ARCHITECTURE
PHD COURSES
Architecture built environment and construction engineering
Architectural, urban and interior design
Preservation of the architectural heritage
Urban planning, design and policy

ARCHITECTURE: UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH SECTOR
97% EMPLOYMENT
71%
19% 10%
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
Most Ph.Ds in the Architectural Area work in Universities or Research Bodies (of
which 40% at the Politecnico) in Italy (67%). Their contracts are not as stable and
salaries lower than the average of the total population interviewed in the present
survey. They are generally satisfied with their path: 67% would enrol in the
program again and 90% declare that a Ph.D is necessary for their work.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
PRIVATE SECTOR
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND NON
PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
40%
RESEARCH /
POST-DOC GRANT
37%
FIXED - TERM
67%
ITALY
33%
ABROAD
WHERE DO
THEY WORK?
67%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH
THEIR STUDIES
87%
€1,693
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
90%
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES
A PHD
SAMPLE FOR ARCHITECTURE: 62 people interviewed, of which 58 employed.
22
23

DESIGN
PHD COURSES
Design

DESIGN: PRIVATE SECTOR
100% EMPLOYMENT
18%
73%
9%
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
The sample of people who obtained a Ph.D in Design is quite small. They mainly work
in Italy (87%) in the private sector (72%) with a very good contract (permanent
contract for 62%). 62% of the interviewed would do the Ph.D again, although their
post-graduate degree is often not required for their work and few (37%) state that
their job is consistent with their studies.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
PRIVATE SECTOR
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND NON
PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
62%
PERMANENT
87%
ITALY
13%
ABROAD
WHERE DO
THEY WORK?
62%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH
THEIR STUDIES
37%
€1,625
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
12%
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES
A PHD
SAMPLE FOR DESIGN: 15 people interviewed, of which 15 employed.
26
27

ENGINEERING
PHD COURSES
Aerospace engineering
Bioengineering
Electrical engineering
Energy and nuclear science and technology
Environmental and infrastructure engineering
Industrial chemistry and chemical engineering
Information technology
Management engineering
Materials engineering
Mathematical models and methods in engineering
Mechanical engineering
Physics
Structural seismic and geotechnical engineering

ENGINEERING: UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH SECTOR
97% EMPLOYMENT
50% 46% 4%
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
PRIVATE SECTOR
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND NON
PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
97% of Ph.D graduates in engineering disciplines find employment, equally spread
in the university and research sector and in the private sector. In Universities and
Research Bodies, although contracts are less stable, Ph.Ds are very satisfied with
the professional outcome and studies. In the private sector contractual conditions
are better (permanent contract for 93%) and salaries are higher (183 euros more
per month).
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
38%
RESEARCH /
POST-DOC GRANT
34%
FIXED - TERM
68%
ITALY
32%
ABROAD
WHERE DO
THEY WORK?
82%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH
THEIR STUDIES
95%
€2,073
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
92%
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES
A PHD
SAMPLE FOR ENGINEERING: 331 people interviewed, of which 314 employed. 149 are employed in the university and research sector.
30
31

ENGINEERING: PRIVATE SECTOR
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
97% EMPLOYMENT
50% 46% 4%
COMPANY SIZE
41%
(1-250*)
* (N° EMPLOYEES)
14%
(251-1.000*)
45%
(+ 1.000*)
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
PRIVATE SECTOR
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND NON
PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
TYPE OF
CONTRACT
93%
PERMANENT
68%
ITALY
32%
ABROAD
WHERE DO
THEY WORK?
74%
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH
THEIR STUDIES
90%
€2,256
MONTHLY NET
SALARY
32%
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES
A PHD
SAMPLE FOR ENGINEERING: 331 people interviewed, of which 314 employed. 135 are employed in the private sector.
32
33

TREND ANALYSIS

TREND ANALYSIS: EMPLOYMENT RATE AND SALARY
For three consecutive surveys, the employment rate of Politecnico
Ph.D graduates has risen, gaining 5 percentage points since the first
survey in 2016 and reaching a record high of 97% Ph.Ds employed
within 1-2 years from degree completion. This very positive trend is
accompanied also by a slight salary increase (+62 euros). In the next
two pages, we can observe a closer comparison between the present
survey and the previous one: the number of employees has risen
compared to those who are self-employed (+10 points), permanent
contracts are much more common in the private sector (+19 points),
while satisfaction has slightly decreased. Finally, the gender gap is
shrinking: the employment rates of men and women are equal in the
present survey. Differences in salaries remain, although the gender pay
gap has narrowed significantly for all disciplines.
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
2016 2018 2020
Ph.D 13/14
92%
Ph.D 15/16
95%
Ph.D 17/18
97%
€1,990
€1,992
€2,052
% EMPLOYMENT RATE € MONTHLY NET SALARY
36
37

TREND ANALYSIS: IN DETAIL
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
2018 VS
2020
2018 VS
2020
95%
EMPLOYMENT
97%
72%
WORK IN ITALY
69%
48%
Universities and
Research institutes
52%
80%
EMPLOYEES
90%
44%
Private sector
43%
PERMANENT CONTRACT
72% IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR 91%
8%
Public authorities and Non
Profit organizations
5%
€1,992
MONTHLY NET
SALARY €2,052
38
39

TREND ANALYSIS: A GENDER VIEW
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
2018
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ENGINEERING
EMPLOYMENT
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ENGINEERING
2020
EMPLOYMENT
M
95%
100%
96%
96%
100%*
96%
M
F
82%
82%
99%
97%
100%
97%
F
MONTHLY NET SALARY
MONTHLY NET SALARY
M
€1,853
€1,750
€2,169
€1,946
€1,000*
€2,177
M
F
€1,396
€1,611
€1,916
€1,592
€1,658
€2,018
F
40
* Only 3 respondents who represent 50% of the initial target. The sample is too small for this data to be considered representative.
41

WHO ARE THE PHD
GRADUATES ?

PHD AND MSC GRADUATES: A COMPARISON
PHD EMPLOYMENT FOCUS BY AREA TREND ANALYSIS
WHO ARE THE PHD GRADUATES?
644
Ph.D GRADUATES IN 2017 - 2018 MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATES IN 2017*
3,923
EMPLOYMENT
RATE 97%
93%
EMPLOYMENT
RATE
PERMANENT CONTRACT
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR 91%
53%
PERMANENT CONTRACT
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
MONTHLY NET
MONTHLY NET
67% 33% SALARY
64% 36%
SALARY €2,052 €1,516
41,5% INTERNATIONAL
44
45
* Data relative to Italian
graduates only

2020 Employment Survey on Ph.Ds who graduated at Politecnico di Milano in 2017 and 2018. The survey is carried out by the
Career Service in collaboration with the Statistical Analysis, Evaluation and Accreditation Support Office and the Alumni Association
of Politecnico di Milano.

April 2020