Ph.D Jobs: Jobs, Scope, Careers, Government Jobs

Ahana Bhaduri's profile photo

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer

As per All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) report from 2019, the number of PhD degrees awarded has increased by 60% in the last five years. The total admission increased from 1,24,451 to 2,02,5520 in 2019-20. It was also revealed that more than 2.02 lakh students enrolled for PhD programs. 

PhD also known as Doctor of Philosophy is one of the highest degrees awarded to a candidate who wants to pursue a career in research related fields. The duration of the course is usually 3 - 6 years. In order to get admission for any PhD courses, candidates must possess a masters degree in any discipline. However, it is advisable that the candidate must pursue a doctorate according to the course pursued in Masters. 

PhD Admissions are usually done on the basis of entrance exams such as CSIR UGC NET, IIT JAM, NPAT amongst the top of them. Candidates willing to pursue PhD in Engineering courses have to clear the GATE exam. Candidates can also choose the specialization in which they want to conduct research according to their interest and knowledge.

Post completion of a PhD course, there are many opportunities open to the candidates in both the sectors private as well as government. Candidates can land a high paying job depending on their specialization such as Research Scientist, Associate professor, Economists, Historians, etc. Candidates can expect a starting salary of INR 6 LPA. The highest salary can go up depending upon the experience, knowledge, skills etc. 

Read More:

Ph.D Jobs

Getting a Doctorate degree within the chosen area of specialization opens many doors for the candidates in terms of job opportunities. Over the period of time, the opportunities have become very vast. PhD graduates decide whether they want to go for a start-up, gain experience and return to academics where their knowledge and skills can be put to use in an excellent way. Tabulated below are some of the top job profiles of Ph.D along with salary package, 

Job Profile Description Average Annual Salary
Scientific Writer A Scientific Writer is one who researches and analyzes the report on news and trends in the field of science. These scientific writers can be employed in investigation, scientific journals, write and publish articles, press releases, website content etc. 7.53 L
Associate Professor Associate Professors are one who are employed at universities/colleges and are responsible for teaching students and providing them with study material and notes. 4.00 L
Research Assistant A Research Assistant is responsible for conducting research studies on a certain topic and collects all relevant study material related to it. 3.10 L
Chief Research Manager A Chief Research Manager is responsible for supervising research projects, tracking the progress of those projects, and suggesting new methods and findings within the research. 10.00 L
Lecturer A Lecturer is a Ph.D. holding educator who is responsible for guiding the students on subject matters and through their project research. 7.8 L
Senior Consultant A Senior Consultant leads certain projects and client meetings while working on a product and its development. 14.10 L
Research Associate A Research Associate is responsible for collecting and analyzing research data and presenting them in a report for further evaluation. 3.80 L

Jobs After Ph.D: Sector Wise

Ph.D. holders are not only employed in the private sector but also the public sector. Post getting a doctorate degree, candidates have multiple areas to explore such as chemical or pharmaceutical companies, oil and gas industry, research industry, NGOs etc. The salary structure also varies in both private as well as government sectors. Discussed below are some of the top job profiles in Private as well as public sector ,

Jobs After Ph.D: Private Jobs

Jobs in the private sector are dependent on the specialization. PHd candidates can get multiple opportunities in the private sector as they are employed in almost all the sectors but their recruitment depends on which area they have their specialization. Some of the top recruiters in the private sector are Deloitte, Infosys, Google, Microsoft , private universities etc. The average salary is around INR 6.20 LPA. Some of the top job profiles are listed below for your reference, 

Job Profile Description Average Annual Salary
Professor A Professor teaches students at the college/university level and provides them study material and guidance through their project work. 7.8 L
Corporate Lawyer Corporate Lawyers are responsible for checking the legality of commercial transactions and represent their clients in court. 6.7 L
Computer Engineer A Computer Engineer is responsible for the maintenance and management of computers and computer-related softwares ensuring data security. 2.4 L

Jobs After Ph.D: Government Jobs

There are a plethora of opportunities in the government sector for PhD candidates and the salary structure is also high as compared to the private sector. Candidates can be employed in Hindustan Petroleum, GAIL, SAIL, government universities, Defense Research and Development Organizations etc. The average salary of a PhD candidate in the government sector is around INR 6.50 LPA. Tabulated below are some of the top job profiles in India in government sector, 

Job Profile Description Average Annual Salary
Professor A Professor is responsible for teaching students at the college/university level and providing them study material and guidance through their project work. 7.8 L
Public Prosecutor Public prosecutors are responsible for acting in public interest and act on behalf of the state to carry out justice against a criminal sanction while keeping in mind the rights of the individual. 6.5 L
Researcher A Researcher is responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to a certain topic and note down these findings in a well drafted research paper. 3.10 L
Computer Engineer A Computer Engineer is responsible for the maintenance and management of computers and computer-related softwares ensuring data security. 2.4 L

Jobs After Phd for Freshers

Candidates can be employed even while pursuing Phd or post completing PhD from a respectable college. The job opportunities are very wide and stretched. Candidates after completing PhD can be employed as scientific writer, Assistant Manager, Research Assistant etc. Candidates can also work in research and Development organizations who look for fresh PhD candidates. The salary is comparatively higher in Industrial Research and development. The starting salary of a PhD Candidate is around INR 6.50 LPA. Some of the top job profiles in India are listed below for your reference, 

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Assistant Professor 4.00 L
Research Assistant 3.10 L
Computer Engineer 2.40 L
Legal Assistant 3.96 L
Consultant 8.00 L
Research Scientist 7.56 L
Senior Writer 12.69 L

Ph.D Jobs: Specialization wise

Jobs for PhD candidates also depend on Specialization in which the candidates have completed their research and doctorate degree. PhD offers many specializations that have different job profiles such as PhD in Management, PhD in Arts, PhD in Engineering, PhD medical, PhD legal studies etc. Let's discuss the job profiles based on specialization, 

Ph.D Computer Science Jobs

PhD in Computer Science is a 3 year doctorate program in computer science and its application. This course studies Research methodology, Data mining, machine learning, rough set theory etc. PhD in computer science have many job opportunities to offer such as software Engineer, Application Developer, Application Analyst and many more. Some of the top profiles in Computer Science are mentioned below,

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Professor 6.38 L
Software Engineer 5.20 L
Software Developer 5.00 L
Web Developer 2.86 L

PhD Chemistry Jobs

PhD Chemistry is a 3 year doctorate program providing detailed academic study and research. This program can be stretched to 6 years. This course will give candidates detailed knowledge about different principles of thermodynamics, advanced levels of organic and inorganic chemistry, etc. Candidates have multiple opportunities to explore such as in chemical research centers, industries, forensic labs, food packaging, processing firms etc. Some of the top PhD Chemistry profiles are tabulated below.

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Chemical Researcher 6.90 L
Junior Scientist 8.70 L
Forensic Chemist 5.40 L
Medical technologist 4.28 L

PhD Legal Studies Jobs

PhD in legal Studies is a 3 year doctorate program which can be extended for a period up to 6 years. This course basically involves research and theoretical approach to law in India. They are further classified on the type of law which can be chosen according to the interest of the candidate. This course offers wide opportunities in the private as well as public sector including litigation, Judiciary, lectureship etc. Some of the top profiles are provided below for your reference.

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Professor 6.66 L
Corporate Lawyer 6.70 L
Public Prosecutor 6.50 L
Legal Consultant 7.00 L

Ph.D Economics Jobs

PhD in Economics is a 3 to 5 year doctorate program that the candidate can pursue after post graduation. The major areas covered in this program are Agricultural economics, Financial economics, business economics, banking economics etc. Some of the top recruiters hiring PhD economics candidates are Bank of India, Bharat petroleum, Goldman sachs, etc. 

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Banker 2.90 L
Professor 3.80 L
Economists 7.17 L
Financial Managers 11.01 L

Ph.D Jobs in India

Ph.D. offers many job opportunities in India in both the public and private sector. Candidates have multiple opportunities to explore. Most of the PhD candidates go for lectureship or in research and development facilities, litigation, Scientific research etc. Some of the top Profiles are discussed below for your reference, 

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Assistant Professor 4.00 L
Associate Professor 7.80 L
Research Manager 10.00 L
Banker 2.90 L
Historian 11.79 L
Economist 7.17 L
Nutritionist 3.80 L
Lawyer 6.70 L
Consultant 8.00 L

Ph.D Jobs: Salary

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a PhD candidate is around INR 6.80 L. The Starting salary is around INR 6 LPA while the highest can go up to INR 30 LPA. The salary also depends on the area of specialization which might vary as some of the most high paying Phd are legal, Economics, biotechnology, etc. Some of the top profiles are mentioned below for your reference.

Job Role Average Annual Salary
Assistant Professor 4.00 L
Associate Professor 7.80 L
Research Assistant 3.10 L
Research Manager 9.80 L
Banker 8.20 L
Financial Manager 10.23 L
Economist 7.17 L
Historian 5.50 L
Computer Engineer 6.51 L
Lawyer 4.45 L

Ph.D Jobs: FAQs

Ques. What is Ph.D?

Ans. A Ph.D is a doctoral research degree that might take 4-5 years to complete and is awarded to those candidates who have conducted successful research in their field. This is referred to as the highest academic degree.

Ques. What are the career prospects of Ph.D ?

Ans. There are career options after Ph.D:

  • Associate Professor
  • Researcher
  • Guest Lecturer
  • Assistant Researcher

Ques. What are the skills required to become a Ph.D. graduate?

Ans. The skills required to become a Ph.D. graduate are:

  • Attention to detail
  • Self-management 
  • Analysis and problem-solving
  • Information Management

Ques. Who are the top recruiters for Ph.D graduates?

Ans. Some of the top recruiters for Ph.D graduates are:

  • Colleges/Universities
  • Research institutes
  • Inter-school
  • Government Jobs

Ques. Is there any internship required to become a Professor?

Ans. No, there is no internship required to become a Professor. 

Ques. Can a student with Ph.D. in Economics become an IAS Officer ?

Ans. Yes, students from any background can aspire to become an IAS Officer irrespective of their stream. 

Ques. Can one pursue Ph.D from distance learning?

Ans. Yes almost every college in India provides Ph.D from distance learning.

Ques. What is the highest salary of a Ph.D. graduate?

Ans. The highest salary of a Ph.D. graduate can be around INR 24-26 LPA.

Ques. What do professors do?

Ans. A professor is responsible for:

  • Teaching college/university students
  • Disseminating study material
  • Guiding students through their project work
  • Conducting research work

Ques. What is the highest salary of a Researcher?

Ans. The highest salary of a Researcher in India is around INR 20 LPA. 

Ph.D. : 43 answered questions

VIEW ALL

Ques. Are master's degrees from IGNOU acceptable for admission into Ph.D courses in top universities?

● Top Answer By Anumita Mukharjee on 28 Apr 22

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is UGC approved, so masters degrees from IGNOU are acceptable for Ph.D. courses in top universities.  But to get admission you will have to meet the other eligibility criteria as well. The university will check your marks, rank, average, and age. As IGNOU is an open university, there is no age bar for learning any degree. Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. Is a Phd from IGNOU worth it/valuable?

● Top Answer By Srabani Guha on 24 Jul 23

Ans. Recently, UGC stated that only  Full-time Phd courses will be Valid and distance PhD is no more valid. The new full-time Ph.D. course will be delivered through the New Delhi main Campus of IGNOU. This change in itself has raised the worth and credibility of a Ph.D. from IGNOU. Here are a few Ph.D. programs offered in regular mode by IGNOU Ph.D. in Dairy Science and Technology Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies Ph.D. in Women's Studies Ph.D. in Arabic Ph.D. in French Ph.D. in Distance Education Ph.D. in Translation Studies Moreover, IGNOU is the largest open university in the world, so the credibility of any degree from here cannot be doubted. What actually matters is the level of effort you put into research in the concerned field. Try to earn your degree and not just get one.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is the Direct PhD program of IIT Madras?

● Top Answer By Arati Sinha on 29 Mar 23

Ans. If you are considering pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT-M, you might be interested in knowing about the similarities and differences between a regular Ph.D. and a direct Ph.D. Here's what you need to know: Selection Procedure: All Ph.D. candidates, whether applying for a regular or direct Ph.D., have to clear a written exam followed by an interview at the institute. Coursework: A regular Ph.D. scholar has to complete four courses, while a direct Ph.D. candidate has to complete eight courses. If you are interested in a dual degree (i.e., MS by research and Ph.D.), you will need to complete two extra courses. Comprehensive Exam: After completing the coursework (usually taking two semesters), every candidate has to undergo a comprehensive exam consisting of a written test and an interview. You will have two chances to clear the comprehensive exam. If you fail to clear the comprehensive exam, you can still obtain an MS degree and get placed or join the Ph.D. program later. The amount and quality of research work by both kinds of Ph.D. candidates are the same. Financial Assistance: A regular Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance once to attend any international conference outside India. A direct Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance twice to attend an international conference outside India. Both regular and direct Ph.D. candidates can attend any national/international conference within India once every semester with full financial assistance. Stipend: The stipend for regular Ph.D. candidates is up to five years. The stipend for direct Ph.D. candidates is up to six years. Pre-Post Doc Fellowship: If you submit your degree within 4.5 years for a regular Ph.D. or 5 years for a direct Ph.D., you are eligible for a pre-postdoc fellowship.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the value of a Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Karuna Nair on 13 Mar 23

Ans. If you want to achieve self-satisfaction by gaining maximum knowledge about your research area, a Ph.D. could be a great way to do so. Consider coming to IIT Bombay if you are always enthusiastic about learning something new and doing something innovative. Your work will depend on your area and how far you can reach in the industry. For example, if your area is controlled, you can reach many consulting firms or industries that deal with automation problems. In fact, my lab deals with many industrial problems related to such issues. Your work will be recognized as an asset for IITB, and research is the foremost thing that every professor looks forward to. Apart from that, you can enjoy a good life as a Ph.D. student here, with the freedom to think in many directions and develop your research skills at your own pace. A Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay is well-recognized. Many of the students, who are doing their Ph. D.s here in controls, are well settled abroad or in India, which proves the worth of this degree.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. Why do some students in IIT Bombay leave high-paying jobs and join grad schools for PhD?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 23 Mar 23

Ans. It’s highly illogical to question why some students in IIT leave high-paying jobs and join graduate schools for Ph.D. This is because some people tend to do whatever makes them happy rather than following the sheep mentality. They don’t consider money as the only source of happiness. And they know that a high-paying job will rob them of mental peace due to a lot of responsibilities they might not even enjoy. So they choose a happier and simpler part which is pursuing a Ph.D. Another major reason why people may pursue a Ph.D. rather than working at a top company is their strong inclination to words academics, and they may not be satisfied with a bachelor's degree and crave higher studies in the form of PhD. Basically, the reason behind such a decision is subjective and depends solely On the particular individual, and cannot be objectified.  The common reason why people make such a decision is that they have more interest in studies and doing a job would hinder that passion. Doing a Ph.D. gives you opportunities to travel and enjoy life generally. That being said, it's not necessary that a Ph.D. is easy for everyone. It strictly depends upon one’s preferences and capabilities.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 17 Mar 23

Ans. The placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay is generally poor, according to student feedback and departmental elections. Ph.D. students typically have very specific knowledge that may not be useful to companies, so they may not be recruited by BTech companies. There is no specific body that helps bring companies for Ph.D. students, resulting in a lack of job opportunities for graduates. Ph.D. graduates pursue two directions: Professor in a University or a specified job, but finding a job can be difficult without faculty contacts. The average salary for a Ph.D. student at IIT Bombay ranges from INR 3.4 Lakhs to INR 4.2 Lakhs per year .Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. Is a PhD from IGNOU valid?

● Top Answer By Pankaj Kumar on 18 Oct 22

Ans. PhD from IGNOU is as valuable as from any other university. The UGC has recently ruled that PhD from distance education is no longer valid. This is applicable to every university. PhD is valid only in regular mode. This can be both part-time or full-time. IGNOU offers both so yes PhD from IGNOU is valuable. In fact, it is more valuable than the same degree from Manipal or Lovely Professional University.  PhD from IGNOU is valuable because of the following reasons: Affordable fees  Both part-time and full-time available ( both approved by UGC) Easy distance education Can be pursued alongside a business or profession. What really matters is what you learn during your course and how you apply it.Read more
1
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the placement record of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Poornima Sahoo on 18 Mar 23

Ans. The table below shows the key placement highlights of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay. Particulars  Statistics  Median Salary INR 55.4 LPA Average Salary INR 17.9 LPA Placement Percentage 66.67% International Offers 58 Top Recruiters  Accenture | Analog Devices | Apple | CITI Bank | Google | Hindustan Unilever | HONEYWELL | IBM | ISRORead more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. How difficult is it to get a PhD from IISc Bangalore?

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 14 Jul 23

Ans. Well, getting a Ph.D. from IISc is indeed difficult. In my opinion, the true meaning of a Ph.D. is investing your entire efforts, time, and knowledge in one specific region. In India though, Ph.D. is just considered a degree one can achieve by publishing some paper in some conference or journal. The quality of these papers is poor and substandard bringing down the sort of the degree.  However, IISc being a prestigious institute has managed to maintain the dignity and credibility of the degree so far. You need to prepare yourself for committing to hard work and high-level dedication. Know that your next 5-6 years will be spent proving and disproving every hypothesis possible and conducting infinite experiments. As a Ph.D. student, you will be publishing a few journals in top international forums and also writing your own thesis, which will culminate your entire work and present it before other researchers and professors of the institute. You will then be assessed thoroughly. Only after proving your point strongly and convincing them will you be able to get the degree.  During this whole time, you will face many struggles dealing with your PI and securing funds for your research work. But trust me the result will be worth the effort!Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. How good is doing a PhD in BITS Pilani compared to IITs?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 27 Jun 23

Ans. The mentors and research facilities at IITs are much better than at BITS Pilani. However, the passing process is as much more difficult at IITs.  BITS Pilani, on the other hand, is flexible to incorporate the changing scenario and a PhD from BITS Pilani is much more industry relevant. One of my cousins had a bad experience at BITS Pilani during his Ph.D. in the Mechanical branch. According to him, a large number of Ph.D. students in BITS Pilani drop out because of the intense pressure for producing results. PhD students are burdened with numerous tasks including the evaluation work for B.Tech. The saving grace for Ph.D. at BITS is that under a guide, your Ph.D. will be completed in 3 years like an MS from IIT. Considering my cousin’s experience, you should consult the alumni at BITS Pilani before choosing the institution for pursuing your Ph.D. Otherwise, BITS Pilani is a reputable institution and its Ph.D. degree will hold great relevance. More so, if you get the right mentors and the right facilities, the name tag of an institution becomes secondary.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Comments



No Comments To Show

Ph.D. Colleges IN INDIA

View All