This article has been posted with the permission from the Research Fortnight
It was first published in the Research Day: UK Issue 3349 21 Jan 10
More than 70 per cent of employers would welcome more applications from doctoral researchers, a study by Vitae, the researchers' career development organisation, has said.
A survey of 100 employers carried out by the group found that three quarters of the respondents had some interest in recruiting doctoral graduates and would welcome more applications from them.
Over one third were already actively targeting doctoral graduates, said Vitae chairwoman, Janet Metcalfe, though some has no engagement with the group at all.
Employers surveyed said they ranked PhD graduate's skills highest in data analysis and problem solving, followed by drive and motivation. Leadership and commercial awareness were ranked lowest relative to other skills.
Vitae plans to host a seminar later in the year to show case employer practices in recruiting doctoral researchers.