Sustainable Careers for Researchers: A French and European Perspective

The research sector is experiencing rapid changes, both in terms of employment opportunities and the skill sets required to thrive in increasingly interdisciplinary and intersectoral roles. In France, approximately 14,000 PhD candidates have graduated annually across all disciplines [1]. However, securing stable, fulfilling careers for these highly trained individuals remains a challenge. Three years after earning their doctorate, 91% of PhD holders are employed, with nearly half (49%) working in academia. The rest find opportunities in the public sector (19%) or private sector, particularly in research and development (R&D) roles (32%) [2]. Despite these employment figures, the academic job market remains precarious for many, highlighting an urgent need for frameworks that provide clearer career trajectories and promote sustainable careers for researchers.

The SECURE Project: Empowering Researchers’ Careers

In response to this challenge, the Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment (SECURE) project aims to develop, trial, and mainstream a comprehensive Research Career Framework (RCF). This framework will offer a suite of tools and options designed to support research organizations in the recruitment, employment, training, development, progression, and mobility of their research staff. Importantly, the RCF aims to address the persistent issue of career precarity by offering solutions that recognize the research profession across sectors, provide a structured career development pathway, and facilitate greater mobility between academia, industry, and other sectors.

The SECURE project will also recognize both research-specific and transferable skills, equipping researchers to contribute effectively to diverse sectors of the economy. By promoting intersectoral collaboration, the framework seeks to foster long-term career sustainability, ensuring that researchers have the support and resources they need to advance their careers both inside and outside of academia.

 The core skills pool tree for PhD holders – Credit: CAREER Projet  by Adoc Talent Management

Adoc Talent Management: Pioneering Career Development for Researchers

As a key partner in the SECURE project, Adoc Talent Management is deeply involved in developing and piloting the Research Career Framework. Founded in 2008, Adoc Talent Management is the first international firm specializing in the career management of research personnel and PhD graduates across all disciplines. With operations in France, Canada, and Benelux, our team is committed to promoting the skills of PhD holders and enhancing their career trajectories through three key pillars: Recruitment, Training, and Research.

Through our recruitment consulting services, we have gained a nuanced understanding of both employers’ expectations and the career aspirations of PhD holders. This insight enables us to bridge the gap between the supply and demand for research talent across sectors. Our training programs, offered to doctoral candidates, PhD holders, and research staff, provide essential skills for career development while our Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Studies on the Doctorate (LID) conducts cutting-edge research into the employability of PhD graduates. Supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR) and the European Commission, LID focuses on key areas such as Career Paths & Skills, Doctoral Experience & Health, and Doctoral Policies.

© The core skills pool tree for PhD holders – Credit: CAREER Projet by Adoc Talent Management

As a pilot organization within the SECURE project, Adoc Talent Management will play a pivotal role in implementing and testing the recommendations from the RCF. Our goal is to develop and refine strategies that will engage both the private and public sectors, promoting mutual understanding and establishing a shared language around career development for researchers. This will not only benefit PhD holders but also enrich the broader job market by integrating the diverse skill sets that researchers offer.

Addressing Career Precarity and Promoting Researcher Mobility

The SECURE project is part of a broader European effort to tackle the precariousness of research careers and to promote sustainable career development across sectors. For researchers in France and Benelux, this is a timely initiative. By refining existing data on the professional trajectories of PhD holders and providing a more precise understanding of their career choices, barriers, and opportunities, we can build a framework that supports not only their academic careers but also their broader career mobility.

Our work at Adoc Talent Management, in collaboration with the SECURE consortium, is focused on ensuring that PhD holders are equipped with the skills, resources, and support systems they need to pursue rewarding, sustainable careers in any sector. Through this collaborative effort, we are helping to shape a brighter future for researchers in Europe and beyond.

Contact: contact@adoc-tm.com

[1] Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche – France: https://publication.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/eesr/FR/T744/le_doctorat_et_les_docteurs/[2] Ministère de l’enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche – France: https://publication.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/eesr/FR/EESR14_R_40/le_devenir_des_docteurs_trois_ans_apres_l_obtention_de_leur_these/#TEXTE