The work of the Observatory for Research and Scientific Careers

The Observatory for Research and Scientific Careers is responsible for monitoring and analysing the careers of all researchers at universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, developing knowledge about the doctoral and postdoctoral process, and disseminating the results of its surveys within the scientific community. Its quantitative and qualitative surveys focus or have focused in particular on the professional transition after the doctorate, discontinuation of the doctorate, the added value of the doctorate according to employers, and postdoctoral experience.

All publications relating to these topics are freely available at https://observatoire.frs-fnrs.be/publications.html

To keep up with news related to the Observatory and scientific careers, follow the LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/observatoire-frs-fnrs/)

The Future of PhD Holders

In order to collect statistical data on PhD holders in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the Observatory for Research and Scientific Careers conducts a longitudinal survey entitled ‘The Future of PhD Holders’, focusing on the professional integration of PhD holders from Belgium’s six French-speaking universities. The aim is to obtain a detailed overview of the professional situation of PhD holders regardless of their field of research, sector of employment and professional experience. The survey covers a wide range of topics such as doctoral training experience, professional integration, professional situation, job satisfaction and mobility experiences.

Publications: https://observatoire.frs-fnrs.be/devenir-des-titulaires-de-doctorat.html

Recruiting Talent. The added value of a PhD according to employers

A growing number of PhD holders work outside academia. However, our research shows that only 34.5% of PhD holders working outside academia are employed in jobs requiring a PhD or postdoctoral experience. In addition, numerous studies point to a certain reluctance on the part of employers to hire PhD holders.

The aim of this study is to collect quantitative and qualitative data from employers outside the academic sector in order to analyse the added value of a PhD and identify the motivations and barriers to hiring PhD holders.

Publications: https://observatoire.frs-fnrs.be/recruter-des-talents-la-plus-value-du-doctorat-selon-les-employeurs.html

Being a postdoc

Faced with limited opportunities to obtain permanent positions in a competitive environment, postdoctoral researchers find themselves in a complex and uncertain professional phase. While these researchers are regularly referred to in the literature as a ‘forgotten’ or even ‘invisible’ population, the Observatory examines this group through a series of thematic reports drawing on data from various surveys.

Publications: https://observatoire.frs-fnrs.be/tre-en-postdoctorat.html

Interruption of the doctoral process

Through 30 interviews conducted between December 2018 and March 2019 with 12 doctoral students who had interrupted their doctoral studies and 18 supervisors, this study aims to describe accounts of doctoral interruption (temporary or, more often, permanent) and what characterises this process. By getting as close as possible to the experiences of those concerned, we can highlight everything that did not work in their cases and draw lessons and avenues for reflection from them. The aim is to provide an overview of the doctoral process from the perspective of non-completion, the various factors that can influence its outcome, the issues surrounding the different stages of the PhD (from the recruitment phase to the decision to drop out), the obstacles encountered, the resources available, etc.

Publications: https://observatoire.frs-fnrs.be/linterruption-du-doctorat.html